Thirty young people from Sophia have completed an intensive leadership development programme at the Sophia Community Centre.
The programme is designed to equip them with the skills, confidence and values needed to become the next generation of leaders.
The week long initiative, organised by SANKOFA, brought together participants between the ages of eight and eighteen for practical training in leadership, public speaking, financial literacy, character education, digital etiquette and other essential life skills.
Delivering the feature address at the closing ceremony on Friday, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith urged the participants to embrace every opportunity for growth, reminding them that leadership begins with service.
“I want all of you here today not to take this experience for granted because volunteering helps you to help others. But while it helps you to help others, it unlocks something within you. And that’s a passion for people,” the minister noted.
Reflecting on Guyana’s rapid transformation, the minister urged the participants to prepare themselves for the opportunities emerging in the country by making education their highest priority.
He said, “There is no better way to prepare yourself than pursuing your education and all of the things that are available to you.”
He noted that with free education now available at every level, young people have unprecedented opportunities to build successful careers and assume leadership roles in every sector.
He stressed that Guyana’s future depends on a generation that is educated, disciplined and committed to national service.
Speaking at the ceremony, Founder and President of SANKOFA Lourdeth Ferguson said the initiative was inspired by a commitment to nurture confident young citizens while preserving the values of heritage and community.
“We must reclaim the wisdom of our past and use it to build a bright and strong future. Sankofa calls us to honor heritage, restore that which was lost, and empower the next generation with knowledge, values, and purpose.”
Ferguson explained that the pilot programme was launched to create lasting social impact through youth development.
She added that the participants demonstrated enthusiasm, discipline and a genuine desire to learn throughout the week.
She also outlined plans to expand the initiative to communities across Guyana while introducing a mentorship component that will continue supporting participants beyond the classroom.
The programme was delivered by a team of volunteer facilitators and supported by donors who ensured each participant received meals throughout the week.
