Marius Musa Kargbo, AYV News, July 30, 2025
A new initiative aimed at enhancing education infrastructure for Sierra Leonean youth was officially launched under the banner of “Improving Public Educational Service Facilities for Youth in Sierra Leone.” The project, funded by the China-established Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marks another milestone in China–Sierra Leone cooperation.
The launch ceremony was held in Freetown and brought together key stakeholders, including Chinese Ambassador Wang Qing, Presidential Advisor on Human Capital Development, Prof. Alpha Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, UNDP Representative Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, Chinese Consular for Economic Affairs, Mr. Wang Qing, and representatives from the education sector. Also in attendance were primary and secondary school students from several districts across the country.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Wang Qing highlighted the significance of the project, which will provide approximately 15,000 sets of desks and chairs to schools across Sierra Leone. He emphasized that this initiative is a practical step toward improving access to quality education and a tangible expression of China’s commitment to the Global Development Initiative (GDI).
“This project is a clear demonstration of the deepening cooperation between China and Sierra Leone,” said Ambassador Wang. “By investing in basic educational infrastructure, we are not only supporting youth development but also reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainable development under the framework of South-South cooperation.”
Government officials in attendance expressed sincere appreciation to China for its continued support of Sierra Leone’s education sector. Presidential Advisor Prof. Alpha Wurie and Ministers Dr. Ramatulai Wurie and Hon. Conrad Sackey praised the initiative and the positive impact of the GDI on national development efforts.
They reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening ties with China and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to ensure that more Sierra Leoneans benefit from such development partnerships.
The project will benefit hundreds of schools across 13 regions, marking a major step in addressing educational infrastructure challenges, particularly in underserved communities.
As the partnership between China and Sierra Leone continues to grow, initiatives like this serve as a strong reminder of the power of international cooperation in advancing national development priorities, especially in the areas of education and youth empowerment.
