By: Usman Fambuleh
The Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN) has launched the 2026 edition of its Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass (LPMC), as part of its continued efforts to empower young people with the skills needed to become effective leaders and communicators.
The programme was officially launched on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during a press briefing held at PAN’s office at 4 Andrew Street in Freetown.
Speaking at the event, PAN’s Executive Director Paul Jonathan Koroma said the organisation remains committed to creating opportunities for young people to develop their leadership, communication and personal development skills.
He said PAN’s programmes are designed to help young people become more confident, informed and responsible citizens who can contribute positively to national development.
According to Paul, the Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass is one of PAN’s major programmes, alongside Public Speaking for Girls and the National Storytelling Festival.
The Convener of LPMC, Ansumana Keita, explained that PAN is a civic movement established in 2013 to identify challenges in society and work with communities, especially young people, to find solutions.
He said the organisation introduced the Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass in 2024 after observing that many young people were interested in leadership but lacked the skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead and communicate.
The first edition trained and certified 100 young people, while the second edition in 2025 trained 150 participants and introduced the LPMC Talks.
The 2026 edition will run from 1st to 12th of September, 2026.
The first week will focus on classroom training at the FSSG Hall, while the second week will include practical exercises, assignments and examinations before the final certification ceremony.
Participants will be exposed to 20 modules covering leadership and public speaking. Topics will include critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, ethical use of artificial intelligence, work ethics, leadership communication, persuasive speaking, communication skills and vocabulary development.
Keita stressed that leadership is not only about speaking well, but also about being able to communicate effectively, make responsible decisions and provide solutions to societal problems.
The programme is open to young people, professionals and emerging entrepreneurs.
With a tuition fee of NLE 1,000, participants will benefit from intensive training on Leadership and Public Speaking, receive electronic books on leadership and public speaking, a customised LPMC tag and polo, mentorship and networking.
The Leadership and Public Speaking Masterclass is part of PAN’s wider commitment to building a generation of confident, informed and responsible young leaders in Sierra Leone.
As part of its approach to achieving this goal, PAN has also taken a robust approach to collaboration with the media, recognising the media as an important partner in promoting public awareness, youth empowerment and national development. Through stronger engagement with media institutions and practitioners, PAN believes that important messages, opportunities and development initiatives can reach a wider audience and contribute to positive change in Sierra Leone.
