The Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, has been honoured by Special Olympics Sierra Leone and formally appointed Life Patron of the organisation, in recognition of his consistent support for persons with intellectual disabilities and his commitment to promoting inclusive youth development across the country.
The award was presented during a ceremony held in Freetown, attended by officials of the organisation and stakeholders in the youth and disability advocacy sector.
According to Special Olympics Sierra Leone, the honour reflects the Minister’s unwavering advocacy for inclusive programmes that provide opportunities for young people of all abilities to participate in sports, social development initiatives and community empowerment activities.
Officials described the appointment as a significant milestone in strengthening national support for persons with intellectual disabilities, noting that Ibrahim Sannoh’s leadership has helped elevate inclusion from an act of goodwill to a national development priority.
In his remarks, the Minister expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to protecting and promoting platforms that uplift vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. He emphasized that meaningful national development must be inclusive and that Government policies should ensure that no young person is left behind.
The Minister further pledged continued collaboration with Special Olympics Sierra Leone, stressing the importance of creating an enabling environment where persons with intellectual disabilities are respected, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Special Olympics Sierra Leone commended the Minister for standing with the organisation and supporting its mission to build a society where inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity remain central to youth development in Sierra Leone.
