By Yusuf Ibrahim Kamara
In a country where more than 60 percent of the population is under the age of 35, the question of youth inclusion in governance should not be a peripheral concern it should be central to national development. Yet in Sierra Leone, many young people continue to ask a troubling question: Are we truly part of decision-making, or merely spectators in a system that speaks about us but rarely listens to us?
Over the years, the rhetoric around youth empowerment has grown louder. Political leaders, institutions, and development partners frequently emphasize the importance of young people as “leaders of tomorrow” and “drivers of change.” However, beyond policy documents, conferences, and ceremonial appointments, genuine youth participation in national decision-making remains limited and, in many cases, symbolic.
Youth participation is often reduced to consultation without influence. Young people are invited to forums, workshops, and town hall meetings, yet their recommendations rarely shape final policies. This creates a culture of engagement without impact a process that ticks boxes but leaves young voices unheard.
Student movements across universities and colleges have repeatedly raised concerns about governance, accountability, education quality, and employment opportunities. These movements demonstrate that young people are not apathetic; rather, they are informed, vocal, and eager to contribute. Unfortunately, student leaders are frequently perceived as confrontational instead of constructive partners in national dialogue. When dissent is viewed as disloyalty, meaningful civic engagement is discouraged.
Institutions such as the National Youth Council of Sierra Leone were established to serve as bridges between young people and the state. In principle, such bodies should amplify youth concerns and influence national policy. In practice, however, many youths feel disconnected from these structures, viewing them as overly politicized or inaccessible.
When youth councils are aligned more with political interests than grassroots realities, they risk losing credibility. Representation then becomes selective, favoring those with connections rather than competence. True inclusion demands openness, transparency, and accountability values that must be reflected in how youth leaders are chosen and how they operate.
Across the country, youth-led activism has emerged as a powerful force addressing issues such as corruption, drug abuse, gender inequality, and unemployment. Social media has given young people a platform to mobilize, educate, and challenge authority. Yet activism often comes at a cost.
Young activists face intimidation, marginalization, and in some cases, economic or political consequences. This hostile environment sends a dangerous message: participation is welcome only when it aligns with established power structures. A democracy that punishes critical youth voices undermines its own future.
Youth inclusion is not charity; it is necessity. Policies designed without youth input often fail because they overlook lived realities. From employment strategies to education reforms and digital innovation, young people possess insights shaped by daily experience. Excluding them leads to ineffective governance and deepens mistrust between citizens and the state.
Moreover, sidelining youths fuels frustration, which can manifest as political disengagement or social unrest. Inclusion, on the other hand, fosters ownership, responsibility, and national cohesion.
If Sierra Leone is serious about building an inclusive democracy, it must move beyond tokenism. Youths should be represented in decision-making bodies at local and national levels not as observers, but as contributors with voting power and influence. Civic education must be strengthened to equip young people with the skills to engage constructively, while institutions must be reformed to genuinely accommodate youth perspectives.
Political parties, civil society organizations, and government agencies must also recognize student unions and youth groups as partners, not threats. Dialogue, not suppression, is the foundation of democratic growth.
Young people are not asking for special treatment; they are demanding fair space at the table. The future of Sierra Leone cannot be negotiated without its largest demographic group. Until youth voices are not only heard but respected and acted upon, national decision-making will remain incomplete.
The question, therefore, is no longer whether youths are ready to lead but whether the system is ready to let them.
Youth inclusion is not the future of democracy. It is the present test of it.