By Usman Fambuleh
The Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN) has certified more than 150 young people following the successful completion of its 2026 Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass (LPMC), reaffirming its commitment to developing confident, responsible and impactful young leaders.
The certification ceremony, held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown, brought together graduates, government officials, academics, facilitators, PAN members, parents and other guests to celebrate the participants’ achievements and highlight the importance of effective communication, leadership and civic responsibility.
The two-week programme, held under the theme “Empowering Voices: Leading with Impact and Authenticity,” was designed to strengthen participants’ confidence, public speaking abilities and practical leadership skills. It was delivered through evening sessions for working participants and full-time sessions at the FSSG School in Freetown.
Delivering the welcoming address, PAN Board Chairperson Janet S. Kallon congratulated the graduates and stressed that the ceremony represented more than the presentation of certificates. She urged participants to transform the knowledge and confidence gained during the masterclass into meaningful action within their communities and organisations.
Kallon said public speaking is not simply about speaking loudly or standing before an audience, but about having meaningful ideas, understanding one’s purpose and possessing the courage to communicate effectively. She added that leadership should not be defined by titles or positions, but by responsibility, problem-solving and the positive impact individuals create.
“Every young person has a voice, and every voice has the potential to create change,” she emphasised, reaffirming PAN’s commitment to equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to contribute to national development.
Also addressing the graduates, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education Conrad Sackey commended PAN for investing in young people and described the occasion as an important moment in the development of future leaders.
Drawing on an African saying that leadership is measured by the footprints a leader leaves behind, Sackey challenged the graduates to focus on the impact they make rather than the positions they occupy.
He underscored the value of communication and leadership skills, noting that young people who communicate effectively are better equipped to influence others, identify solutions and contribute meaningfully to their communities. He further urged the graduates to carry confidence, integrity, humility and responsibility into their workplaces, communities and organisations.
For his part, Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernoh Bah highlighted the importance of clarity and composure in public speaking, drawing on his own experience of addressing audiences since his school days.
Bah advised the graduates to understand their audience before communicating and cautioned against using unnecessarily complicated language. He said the effectiveness of a public speaker should ultimately be judged by whether the audience understands the message being delivered.
Keynote speaker Dr Francis Sowa, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Media and Information Studies at Fourah Bay College, challenged the graduates to critically examine the state of leadership in Sierra Leone and their own role in shaping society.
Dr Sowa observed that some individuals who identify problems and propose solutions while outside positions of authority sometimes fail to address those same problems when they eventually assume leadership positions.
He warned against placing excessive emphasis on titles while neglecting challenges confronting communities and the country. He also called on citizens to examine their own responsibilities instead of blaming politicians, teachers, lecturers and other leaders for every societal problem.
Sharing her experience, graduate Isata Mansaray described the masterclass as a journey of progress, courage and personal transformation. She said that before joining the programme, she struggled to speak before an audience because of nervousness and fear.
However, she credited the training with helping her overcome those barriers and build the confidence to address large audiences and communicate her ideas effectively. She expressed appreciation to the facilitators for their guidance and mentorship throughout the programme.
The certification of more than 150 participants marks another milestone in PAN’s efforts to equip young people with practical leadership, communication and public speaking skills.
The ceremony concluded with a challenge to the graduates to take the lessons beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge and confidence through responsible leadership, effective communication and positive action in their homes, workplaces, communities and across Sierra Leone.
