Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA)
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY AND PROFILE
Following the military coup in 1997, the democratically elected SLPP Government then headed by President Ahmed Tejan Kabba, was forced into exile in Guinea. It then became clear that there was no formidable civil society group representing the populace. The situation deteriorated by the day culminating into a state of anarchy. As the situation got worse, a group of youths mainly students including the founding members of CCYA, thought it fit to lead an anti-AFRC demonstration.
On the return of the democratically elected government in 1998, the group embarked on voluntary and community action work. The group also tried to form a civil society movement. This move was frustrated by high-level interference and manipulations. Up-to-date, there is no realistic and formidable civil society movement that commands respect or thrust from the public. August 18, 1998 marked the commemoration of the death of their colleagues who died during the interregnum or demonstration against AFRC.
In 1998 following the forceful removal of the Junta by ECOMOG and the subsequent return of the democratically elected Government in May 1998, the group refined itself and CCYA was born in September, same year. Since then, the organization has been very much at the centre of youth and civil society activities ranging from advocacy, consultation with youth groups, capacity building, and human right issues. The primary thrust at the inception was:
• To provide the opportunity for a coordinated approach towards youth empowerment through building group structures and capacitating youth serving agencies.
• To provide training in leadership, peace building, skills development, community development, reproductive and sexual health care and developmental issues
• Promote human right in Sierra Leone
• To advocate for pertinent issues affecting the country especially the youth population.
Since inception, CCYA has had no permanent donor. Funding was sought by activity, sometimes as a one off affair. Relief and rehabilitation characterized this period. However, the present and future poses a shift towards development proposing the need to chart a way forward for a meaningful contribution towards the empowerment of youths.
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