Former Banjul lawmaker reappointed secretary general of SASASNET
According to a communiqué issued by the Office of the Secretary General, the Executive Committee unanimously renewed Hon. Sillah’s mandate in recognition of his outstanding contribution as the organisation’s founding Secretary General. He was praised for transforming SASASNET from an idea into one of Africa’s emerging platforms for skills and apprenticeship development. The communiqué noted that Sillah had successfully helped “build the organisation from infancy and achieve significant results within a short span.” Hon. Sillah first served as coordinator of the Network for five months before its formal registration and official launch. In July 2023, during SASASNET’s first Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, he was appointed Secretary General following the establishment of the continental body. Abuja remains the headquarters of SASASNET. The Network itself was conceived in February 2023 during a regional workshop in Cotonou, Benin, where government officials and skills development stakeholders from across Africa explored ways of strengthening apprenticeship systems in the informal economy. The workshop was organised by the Government of Benin in partnership with international organisations including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank. Representing The Gambia at the workshop, Hon. Sillah was nominated by the country’s Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Participants later entrusted him to work alongside Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, SASASNET’s first Continental Chairperson, to coordinate efforts leading to the establishment of a continent‑wide network dedicated to promoting quality apprenticeship and skills development. Since then, SASASNET has evolved into a regional platform supporting African governments and institutions in harmonising policies and initiatives aimed at improving technical skills, apprenticeship programmes and youth employability. The latest Executive Committee meeting also marked a leadership transition, with Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Mr Shadrack M. Mwadime, assuming office as the new Continental Chairperson. Members paid tribute to Prof. Bugaje for laying a strong institutional foundation and acknowledged his visionary leadership during the organisation’s formative years. During the meeting, members reviewed SASASNET’s programmes, financial performance, membership engagement and governance structures before adopting several strategic resolutions to strengthen the organisation over the next four years. Among the key decisions were the implementation of priorities outlined in SASASNET’s 2024‑2028 Strategic Plan, the establishment of country chapters across Africa, accelerated implementation of the Abuja Action Plans and the Mombasa Declaration, and the strengthening of governance and institutional partnerships. Specialised subcommittees on research, resource mobilisation, programme implementation, youth engagement, and women and persons with disabilities were also established to support the organisation’s expanding agenda. Reaffirming its commitment to promoting quality apprenticeship systems, decent work and youth employment, the Executive Committee stressed that Africa’s future workforce depends on stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and training institutions. Going forward, SASASNET says it will continue working closely with member states and key international partners, including the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, the International Labour Organization, UNESCO, UNIDO, the Mastercard Foundation and other regional and global institutions to strengthen skills development and create greater employment opportunities for Africa’s growing youth population.
Black News 
According to a communiqué issued by the Office of the Secretary General, the Executive Committee unanimously renewed Hon. Sillah’s mandate in recognition of his outstanding contribution as the organisation’s founding Secretary General. He was praised for transforming SASASNET from an idea into one of Africa’s emerging platforms for skills and apprenticeship development.
The communiqué noted that Sillah had successfully helped “build the organisation from infancy and achieve significant results within a short span.”
Hon. Sillah first served as coordinator of the Network for five months before its formal registration and official launch. In July 2023, during SASASNET’s first Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, he was appointed Secretary General following the establishment of the continental body. Abuja remains the headquarters of SASASNET.
The Network itself was conceived in February 2023 during a regional workshop in Cotonou, Benin, where government officials and skills development stakeholders from across Africa explored ways of strengthening apprenticeship systems in the informal economy. The workshop was organised by the Government of Benin in partnership with international organisations including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank.
Representing The Gambia at the workshop, Hon. Sillah was nominated by the country’s Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Participants later entrusted him to work alongside Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, SASASNET’s first Continental Chairperson, to coordinate efforts leading to the establishment of a continent‑wide network dedicated to promoting quality apprenticeship and skills development.
Since then, SASASNET has evolved into a regional platform supporting African governments and institutions in harmonising policies and initiatives aimed at improving technical skills, apprenticeship programmes and youth employability.
The latest Executive Committee meeting also marked a leadership transition, with Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Mr Shadrack M. Mwadime, assuming office as the new Continental Chairperson. Members paid tribute to Prof. Bugaje for laying a strong institutional foundation and acknowledged his visionary leadership during the organisation’s formative years.
During the meeting, members reviewed SASASNET’s programmes, financial performance, membership engagement and governance structures before adopting several strategic resolutions to strengthen the organisation over the next four years.
Among the key decisions were the implementation of priorities outlined in SASASNET’s 2024‑2028 Strategic Plan, the establishment of country chapters across Africa, accelerated implementation of the Abuja Action Plans and the Mombasa Declaration, and the strengthening of governance and institutional partnerships.
Specialised subcommittees on research, resource mobilisation, programme implementation, youth engagement, and women and persons with disabilities were also established to support the organisation’s expanding agenda.
Reaffirming its commitment to promoting quality apprenticeship systems, decent work and youth employment, the Executive Committee stressed that Africa’s future workforce depends on stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and training institutions.
Going forward, SASASNET says it will continue working closely with member states and key international partners, including the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, the International Labour Organization, UNESCO, UNIDO, the Mastercard Foundation and other regional and global institutions to strengthen skills development and create greater employment opportunities for Africa’s growing youth population.
