China donates to help boost youth development in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN -- The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone on Aug. 7 donated a batch of essential equipment to the country's Youth Commission in a bid to support its youth development.

The items, which were received by Sierra Leone's Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Lusine Kallon and Youth Commissioner Ngolo Tom Katta, include 300 shirts, 238 caps, 19 mobile phones, 3 mountain bicycles, and some footballs, among others.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to youth development, and over 900 Sierra Leoneans have benefited from its scholarships to study in China, and over 45,000 Sierra Leoneans have also received support on short courses.

"Most of these beneficiaries are youth. It shows how committed China is in helping to develop the youths of Sierra Leone," he said

On his part, Lusine Kallon praised China's effort towards youth development in Sierra Leone and noted that the government is committed to developing the middle-level manpower that is very weak in his country.

He further called for China to support areas like technical skills for young people so that they take an active part in the development of Sierra Leone.