Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura has been appointed as a member of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Task Force (CYMTF).
This important development occurred yesterday (15th September 2023) during the closing session of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (10CYMM) in London.
At the gathering the ministers reflected upon activities informing this year’s Youth Ministers Meeting while earnestly charting the course forward.
The ministers, and other senior dignitaries present, were elegantly entertained to a captivating look-ahead performance by the team from the Polynesian Island nation of Samoa, the host country for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM2024).
In their lively dance-drama and video presentations, the Samoans revealed a welcoming window to the colour, cuisine and culture of a land they describe as “the place where the Pacific meets Paradise”.
Minister Bangura’s appointment to the CYMTF propels Sierra Leone to another notable level of responsibility within the respected cadres of the 56 commonwealth member family.
The CYMTF is a key 11 man body which is tasked with the responsibility of advising Commonwealth Youth Ministers and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
It is also charged with providing strategic guidance to the Youth Ministers and the Board of Governors, on critical youth development initiatives and other related issues.
Additionally, the CYMTF is expected to focus on monitoring progress, in line with resolutions taken at the CYMMs as well as CHOGMs and to follow up on commitments from aligned players and organisations.
As part of its mandate, the CYMTF would be building strategic partnerships and help to mobilise resources. The Task Force is equally expected to advocate for youth development in the context of the Commonwealth Charter and Strategic Plan.
The CYMTF also resolved that each participating member country of the Commonwealth Youth Programme should provide a National Focal Point for Youth Affairs. This chosen party would be responsible for providing periodic reports and facilitating information sharing among respective task force members as well as with the Secretariat.
On his appointment, Mr. Bangura expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon Sierra Leone in this important capacity and conveyed his strong desire to collaborate with fellow Task Force members in working to effect positive changes for the youths, across the entire Commonwealth family of nations.