The Council of Churches of Sierra Leone (CCSL) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) are strengthening their collaboration to equip young people with knowledge, Christian values and practical skills to make responsible decisions about their health, families and future.
The partnership is being implemented through the AACC Sustainable Population Growth (SPG) Programme and its youth campaign, “Africa: My Home. My Future,” which seeks to encourage young Africans to take greater responsibility for shaping the continent’s future.
In Sierra Leone, this initiative began with a training of trainers on the role of faith leaders in promoting holistic health and sustainable population growth for quality life and sustainable development in the country. This was facilitated by the AACC Executive Youth Secretary, Brian Muyunga in 2024. Consequently, the initiative has brought together churches, schools, community groups and young people to discuss issues that are often difficult to address openly, including sexual and reproductive health, family planning, responsible parenthood, population growth and the relationship between population dynamics and quality of life.
A major component of the programme was a campaign conducted from 19–22 May 2026, which reached approximately 800 participants, comprising 250 males and 550 females, through engagements at Richard Allen High School, St. Helena Secondary School, Zion AME Church and the Approved School Community.
The campaign provided young people and community members with information on sexual and reproductive health rights, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, family planning and responsible decision-making.
The organisers also introduced the message “My Body, My Right,” aimed at strengthening awareness about personal boundaries, protection from abuse and the right of individuals to be protected from unwanted touching and exploitation.
The campaign was grounded not only in health information but also in Christian values and responsible stewardship.
The organisers drew attention to biblical teachings that encourage responsibility towards family and human wellbeing, including 1 Timothy 5:8 and Jesus’ teaching in John 10:10 about having life in its fullness.
The message was that young Christians can make responsible decisions while remaining faithful to their values and beliefs.
The collaboration between AACC and CCSL became even more visible during a subsequent Population Awareness and Reproductive Health Campaign for Young People held in Freetown on 13 June 2026, with activities hosted at Price Memorial United Methodist Church and the CCSL Board Room.
The two-hour participatory session brought together 20 young people and young leaders from different churches.
Participants were engaged through presentations, small-group discussions and reporting sessions focusing on population dynamics, family planning, reproductive health and sustainable development.
A health facilitator also provided information on contraceptive options and reproductive health services available in Sierra Leone.
Importantly, the campaign created a safe environment where young people could discuss issues that are often surrounded by cultural and religious sensitivities.
One young female participant told the organisers that she had previously considered family planning too controversial to discuss within a church environment. Following the discussions, she said she had come to understand that informed decision-making, including abstinence, could be consistent with her faith and could represent responsible preparation for her future family.
She subsequently expressed a willingness to share accurate information with her peers and participate in future AACC programmes.
The experience demonstrates the potential of the church to serve as an important platform for youth education and responsible decision-making.
For CCSL and AACC, the objective is not simply to provide information, but to help young people connect knowledge with values, responsibility and their role in building healthier communities.
The programme also highlights the connection between population growth and broader development challenges.
During the discussions, young people examined how rapid population growth can affect housing, employment, education, healthcare and household resources. Participants were encouraged to understand family planning not simply as a health issue but also as part of responsible family and community planning.
The “Africa: My Home. My Future.” campaign added another important dimension by encouraging young Africans to believe in the potential of their continent and to see themselves as contributors to its development.
Rather than viewing migration as the only pathway to a better future, young people were encouraged to develop the skills, values and confidence necessary to build productive lives and communities at home.
The campaigns also demonstrated that young people are willing to discuss sensitive issues when they are provided with respectful and confidential spaces.
However, organisers identified challenges, including limited funding, inadequate technical equipment, insufficient time for school-based engagements and initial hesitation among some participants to discuss reproductive health issues openly.
They recommended increased investment in youth programmes, regular school and community outreach, training of young leaders and the development of an AACC learning platform where young people can access reliable information.
They also called for greater collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Basic and Senior Secondary Education so that accurate information on sexual and reproductive health can reach more young people.
The partnership between CCSL and AACC is therefore emerging as an important example of how Christian institutions can help break barriers surrounding difficult conversations while maintaining a strong emphasis on faith, dignity, responsibility and service.
According to the CCSL General Secretary, Rev. Keziah Kargbo, this initiative is championed by young faith actors from CCSL members and their agency sends a powerful message: young people should not be excluded from conversations about their future. They should be equipped to make informed choices, uphold Christian values and become responsible leaders in their churches, communities and country.
