By Brima Sannoh
More than two decades after Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war ended, the scars of that conflict remain stamped not just in memories, but in the persistent struggles of the nation’s youth. In Pujehun District, one of Sierra Leone’s most impoverished regions, young people face a grim reality: despite possessing skills and education, they remain trapped in unemployment and economic hardship.
Sierra Leone has made significant strides in rebuilding its economy, yet youth unemployment continues to be one of its biggest challenges. According to a joint report by the Government of Sierra Leone, a German non-governmental organization, and the United Nations, young people make up one-third of the country’s population. Shockingly, 70% of them are either unemployed or underemployed, while 50% lack literacy and skills.
In Pujehun, the numbers paint a particularly vivid picture. The 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census (MTPHC) estimated that the district’s youth population stands at around 15,000, one of the highest in the country. With few employment opportunities, many young men and women find themselves idle, and vulnerable to crime, substance abuse, and political violence.
The 2004 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) warned that many of the conditions that fueled Sierra Leone’s civil war; exclusion from jobs, decision-making, and economic opportunities, still exist today.
This was evident in the June 2023 elections when Pujehun witnessed violent clashes between supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). Party offices were attacked and vandalized, with jobless youths at the forefront of the unrest. The lack of economic stability has made them easy recruits for political conflicts, a dangerous pattern in Sierra Leone’s fragile democracy.
For many young people in the district, frustration is mounting.
Michael Tommy, a 24-year-old graduate of Njala University, has been searching for work since earning his degree in Social Work in 2020. Despite his qualifications, he has been unable to secure stable employment. “You go to college for over four years, struggling, only to come out and start struggling again,” he told ManoReporters. “This is very frustrating and sad. This is why most of our colleagues are involved in criminal activities across the country.” Michael blames nepotism, corruption, and political favouritism for his predicament.
“They keep saying they are creating jobs for the youth, but where are these jobs?
They are just deceiving people.” Lombeh Koroma, who studied electrical installation at the Sierra Leone Opportunities Industrialization Center (SLOIC), has also given up on formal employment. Instead, she now sells goods in Pujehun town to support her two young children. “I have decided to forget about looking for a job because I am not getting one,” she said. “At least with my small business, I can feed my children.”
Employment prospects in Pujehun remain bleak. The district has only a handful of government offices and private-sector employers. Large companies like Socfin Agricultural Company in Sahn Malen Chiefdom and Natural Habitat in Zimmi, Makpele Chiefdom, provide only limited permanent jobs.
The government has made some attempts to address the crisis. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, in collaboration with local and international partners, has introduced skill training programs, vocational education, and small-scale employment schemes. Initiatives such as car wash facilities and fishing boats have created some income opportunities for young people in Sulima town.
“We remain committed to providing the needed empowerment so that young people can fulfill their dreams,” said Abdul Gassim Daramy, the District Youth Officer for Pujehun.
However, funding remains a major challenge, and many government-led interventions fail to reach the most vulnerable.
Calls for Urgent Action
Civil society organizations have been vocal in demanding solutions. Emmanuel Fawundu, Executive Director of the Rural Agency for Community Action (RACAP), described the situation as “sad and unfortunate.”
“Youth unemployment is a burning issue in Pujehun,” he said. “We have so many government appointees from this district, yet there are no job opportunities for our youth. It’s unbelievable.”
For many young people in Pujehun, the future remains uncertain. Yet, despite the challenges, their dreams persist, like seeds struggling to grow in barren soil, hoping for the rain that may one day come.
The story was produced with support from the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), through the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), under the project Engaging Media and Communities to Change the Narrative on Transitional Justice Issues in Sierra Leone.
