By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
FREETOWN, Jan. 27 (232news.com) – The Ministry of Youth and its partners with supported from the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) have issued out one billion Leone to 256 young people and women led businesses in order to mitigates the effect of COVID-19 on their businesses.
The Project which was implemented by the Institute of Development and Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA), also created room for the certification of these youths at the Atlantic Hall in Freetown, after undergoing intense training.
Among the beneficiaries are 201 females, 48 males and seven disabled, making a total of 256.
Giving the background of the grant support project title “Supporting Economic Recovery of Youth and Women Led Business in the Western Area Rural,” the Programme Director of IDHA Simon Olagai said the project is from the Government of Sierra Leone to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on young people led businesses.
He noted it’s a quick response project, which they started in August and are very delighted to have been part of it.
The Progarmme Director said the selection process was very thorough, receiving 700 applications in total when the process was advertised in various media outlet in the country.
“It was very, very competitive, as they were select based on merit,” he stated.
Mr. Olagai said that the last stage now of the project is to see how these people are going to use such fund.
“This money is meant to change your life,” as he cautioned the youths to use the money judiciously. He ended up thanking UNDP that has been a long standing partner to Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Youth for their support.
The Director of National Youth Coalition Morlai Conteh described the project as a unique one, especially targeting young people that had experienced difficulties as a result of the coronavirus.
He said COVID-19 affected a lot of youth in the country as he called on UNDP and its partners to take such a programme to other districts in the country, that are also affected.
According to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Sayed Sahibzada, two weeks ago he was in Kono where youths also benefited from similar initiatives.
He expressed his delight to see what they started is coming to a successful end.
He congratulated the beneficiaries, and emphasized on the importance of the youth population in the world.
He said their intention is to contribute to the Government response plan and create an impact as a whole, which they have done. He was very pleased to know the process has been transparent, fair and accountable.
Giving the Keynote address, the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura thanked IDHA for exhibiting transparency throughout the project.
He said because of their transparency and accountability, is the main reason why they are succeeding as a ministry, which wasn’t the case before.
The Minster advice the youth to use the money wisely noting they’re given the money to kick start their business and they must ensure that they use it in such a direction.
He said as a ministry they are going to engage the President to see how such project will be rolled out in other places in country
One of the beneficiaries, Hannah Mansaray thanked the Government and its partners for such a support, as she was left with nothing as a result of the coronavirus, adding that, “I’m happy for the support”
The event was climaxed by the certification ceremony and the distribution of cheques to the beneficiaries.
