By Abdulai Fasineh Dumbuya
The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) on Monday 9th October 2023, for the development of a Volunteering Policy that will guide the service in Sierra Leone.
VSO’s Programme Manager, Isha Bangura in her statement at the event, said the policy development process was very timely, noting that the issue of volunteerism has existed for far too long without structures.
She said that the policy would be implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Bangura and that the MoU will kick-start the development of a policy which will form the foundation for the legal framework for volunteerism in Sierra Leone.
According to her, there is delight and optimism over the development of volunteerism in the country and assured the public of their commitment and dedication to service to the realization of such a policy. He said they will do their best to support the ministry and partners so that the process comes to fruition.
On his part, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, said that the policy will go a long way in addressing the all-encompassing volunteering-related issues in the Ministry of labour and therefore thanked VSO for welcoming their collaboration to address such an issue in the country.
"It has been a long journey, a very long one, but the real job is just starting. I therefore urge all parties involved in the development of the policy to put their best in moving it forward," he said.
The Minister went on to note that the policy will promote the country's Human Capital Development and push forward President Bio's agenda of creating 500,000 jobs for Sierra Leoneans by 2028.
VSO is an international non-profit development organization that delivers development impact through a blended volunteer model consisting of International, National and Community Service and marginalized communities, enabling the world's poorest communities to take charge of their own transformation. It also harnesses the skills and expertise of volunteers to create lasting change through unlocking the power of people.
In the People's Manifesto 2023, President Julius Maada Bio promised to establish a Presidential initiative to create 500,000 jobs in a five-year period for the skilled and unskilled, for a long term, as well as seasonal across all sectors.
Copyright (c) 2023 Politico (11/10/23)
