By paul.kamara@awokonewspapersl.com
Bo, SIERRA LEONE – The All People’s Congress (APC) youth wing wrapped up its dynamic three-day National Young Congress (NYC) on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Galliness Paradise in Bo, under the unifying theme: “Stronger Together: Uniting Youths to Build a Victorious APC.”
The high-energy gathering attracted top-tier party officials, grassroots supporters, and young activists from across Sierra Leone and the diaspora. Among the dignitaries were APC Deputy National Chairman Amb. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, National Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya Esq., National Publicity Secretary Sidi Yaya Tunis, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, and Hon. Cherinor Bah (Chericoco), alongside several aspiring flag bearers and other senior members of the party.
The Congress was not just a show of numbers, but a powerful statement of intent: to consolidate the party’s youth base and prepare for a triumphant return to governance in the 2028 general elections.
Chairing the opening session, Regional Chairperson Madam Haja Isatu Bah Kamara hailed the National Young Congress leadership for their commitment and organizational prowess. “The youth are not just the future — they are the now,” she declared, underscoring their vital role in the APC’s roadmap back to power.
National Publicity Secretary Sidi Yaya Tunis echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that peace and unity must be the cornerstone of the party’s internal dynamics. “Without cohesion, there can be no victory,” he said.
Addressing the crowd, Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya Esq. justified the strategic choice of Bo — traditionally a stronghold of the ruling SLPP — as the Congress venue. “We are a national party,” he said. “Our presence in Bo demonstrates our resolve to rebuild, reconnect, and reclaim every corner of Sierra Leone.”
Dumbuya also took the opportunity to clarify speculation surrounding the health of APC National Chairman Minkailu Mansaray, affirming that he is recovering steadily. He criticized the government’s recent creation of two new districts, describing it as a politically driven move lacking transparency, and called for processes rooted in credible national census data.
National Young Congress President Ansu Barnard issued a strong appeal for unity among party youths, urging aspirants for the APC’s flag bearer position to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions that could fracture the party.
Acting National Chairman Amb. Osman Foday Yansaneh, standing in for Chairman Mansaray, delivered a rousing keynote. He praised the passion and energy exhibited by the youth, calling it a beacon of hope for the party’s future. “This is your moment,” he challenged the young delegates. “The future of the APC — and Sierra Leone — rests in your hands.”
He urged young members to be proactive, united, and fully engaged in national processes such as the upcoming census, which he described as critical to ensuring fair representation and planning.
As the Congress concluded, Yansaneh declared Bo a symbolic launching pad for a new era in APC’s journey. “Let Bo mark the beginning of our collective march to victory in 2028,” he said. “We need bold action, unity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to reclaim our place at the helm of national leadership.”
With renewed vigor and a clear call to action, the APC’s youth wing has positioned itself as a formidable force in shaping the party’s destiny — and potentially, the nation’s. PK/3/6/2025
