Dr. Susan Robert Strengthens BDOs and Coaches for Effective PSSNYE Rollout...

*Touch Hall, Somaila Town – 1st December, 2025* - The Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Dr. Susan Robert, has reaffirmed her confidence in the Business Development Officers (BDOs) and Coaches during the ongoing training sessions for these frontline actors. The training marks a pivotal step in the full implementation of the Productive Social Safety Nets and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen social protection and economic inclusion across Sierra Leone.

Speaking to the trainees, Dr. Robert emphasized the critical role of Sub-Component 1B – Economic Inclusion – in advancing the “Big Five Game Changers” articulated by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. She urged participants to approach their responsibilities with sincerity, purpose, and a commitment to serving the most vulnerable. *“We must all work together to ensure that we serve the poorest of the poor. We must do this with the highest level of sincerity and a purpose to serve. The Commissioner and I, together with the senior management of the Commission, have worked extensively to ensure that NaCSA’s interventions are aligned with national development priorities,”* she reiterated.

Her remarks underscored NaCSA’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and impact-driven programming. By placing emphasis on the poorest households, the Commission continues to position itself as a central pillar in Sierra Leone’s inclusive development agenda.

During the opening session, Senior Director Idris Turay – highlighted the importance of equipping BDOs and Coaches with the tools necessary to succeed. *“We are here, ready to provide you with the logistical and technical capacity needed to deliver on these functions,”* he assured. This commitment reflects NaCSA’s broader strategy of building institutional capacity to ensure that project objectives are met efficiently and sustainably.

As part of the PSSNYE project’s development objectives, 200 BDOs and Coaches have been recruited nationwide to drive the delivery of economic inclusion interventions. Their role is central to ensuring that beneficiaries not only receive support but also gain the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to transition into sustainable livelihoods. By embedding these officers within communities, NaCSA is creating a direct link between national policy and grassroots implementation. This approach enhances visibility, fosters trust, and ensures that interventions resonate with the realities of everyday Sierra Leoneans.

Under the leadership of the Commissioner Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina and Deputy Commissioner, Dr Susan Robert, NaCSA has consistently demonstrated its ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives, strengthen donor confidence, and align interventions with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities. The Commission’s work on PSSNYE reflects its broader mission: to deliver inclusive social protection, youth employment, and economic empowerment that leave no one behind.

The training of BDOs and Coaches is more than a technical exercise—it is a reaffirmation of NaCSA’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive Sierra Leone where the poorest and most vulnerable are empowered to thrive.

*For further information on this and other matters, please contact:*

*The Information, Education and Communication Unit*

*+23278155556/+23277022709/+23230518539*