Strengthening international partnerships for youth empowerment took center stage as the Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Sannoh, held a strategic meeting with the Country Director of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), Mr. Mirzet Müezzinoğlu, at the Agency’s office.
The engagement, marked by warmth and diplomatic optimism, underscored the growing collaboration between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Türkiye, particularly in advancing youth-focused development initiatives.
Welcoming the Minister, Mr. Müezzinoğlu commended Hon. Sannoh for what he described as “visionary and result-oriented leadership” at the helm of the Ministry of Youth Affairs. He particularly applauded Sierra Leone’s historic moment on the global stage, noting that the country’s rising prominence in United Nations youth engagements reflects bold stewardship and deliberate policy direction under Minister Sannoh’s leadership.
In a notable remark, the TİKA Country Director expressed special appreciation to Minister Sannoh for being the first Government Minister to officially visit TİKA’s office, describing the gesture as a strong signal of respect for international cooperation and a demonstration of proactive leadership.
“The visibility of Sierra Leone in global youth conversations is no coincidence,” Mr. Müezzinoğlu stated. “It is a testament to focused leadership and strategic positioning. Your visit today further strengthens our institutional ties.”
Minister Sannoh, in response, expressed appreciation for TİKA’s continued support to Sierra Leone, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in expanding opportunities for young people. He reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to forging practical partnerships that translate into tangible programs, skills development, entrepreneurship support, institutional strengthening, and youth capacity building.
“We believe in partnerships that produce measurable impact,” Minister Sannoh stated. “Our young people deserve global opportunities, and through collaborations such as this, we are positioning them to compete, lead, and innovate.”
The Minister was accompanied by his Director of Programs, Mr. James Bondeva Sandi, highlighting the Ministry’s technical seriousness in translating diplomatic engagements into implementable programmes.
The meeting signals a promising chapter in Sierra Leone–Türkiye cooperation, with youth development firmly at the center of bilateral engagement. As Sierra Leone continues to command international recognition in youth leadership spaces, partnerships with institutions like TİKA are poised to amplify the nation’s transformative youth agenda.
Under Minister Sannoh’s stewardship, youth diplomacy is no longer peripheral; it is strategic, deliberate, and globally resonant.
