By Marian Magdalene Bangura
MoICE – Strategic Communication Unit
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) successfully hosted its first-ever National Civic Day Series in Kambia District on March 24th and 25th, 2025. The event, held at the Kambia District Council, brought together hundreds of young people, including secondary school students, university students, youth activists, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
This groundbreaking initiative aimed to enhance civic knowledge, promote awareness, and provide a platform for young people to engage directly with government leaders. Participants had the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask critical questions, and discuss their expectations of government.
A major highlight of the event was a lively quiz and debate competition featuring students from 10 senior secondary schools. The competition focused on key national topics such as civic education, technology and innovation, census, free quality education, and corruption. Eight competitors, both male and female, took part in the contest, showcasing their depth of knowledge on these crucial issues.
Among the schools that impressed the audience were Linda Koroma Girls’ School, Kambia Islamic Secondary School (KISS), Montana Secondary School, and Kolenten Secondary School. Four winners emerged, two from the quiz competition and two from the debate competition. Notably, female students dominated the contest, securing all first-place positions.
Fatmata Yansaneh from Linda Koroma Girls’ School won the debate competition with her compelling argument on the advantages of free quality education. Fatmata Sheku Bangura emerged as the quiz competition winner. Their outstanding performances particularly stood out in the areas of technology, innovation, and education.
Recognizing their excellence, Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation Salima Bah, who served as a panel judge, awarded two laptops to Fatmata Yansaneh and Fatmata Sheku Bangura. She also highlighted the government’s efforts to expand internet access, improve digital infrastructure, and make technology more affordable. Minister Bah encouraged students to continue exploring opportunities in technology and innovation.
Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny of Statistics Sierra Leone, another panel judge, delivered a talk on the importance of census participation. He emphasized that taking part in the census is a civic duty and announced that the next census had been rescheduled to 2026.
The prize distribution ceremony was a key moment of the event, with winners receiving certificates, branded Civic Day Series school items worth over 10,000 NLE, and cash prizes.
The second day of the Civic Day Series featured an engaging dialogue session with key government officials and stakeholders. Ambassador Isatu Moses, chairperson of the Kambia District Youth Council, spoke on behalf of the youth and women of Kambia. She passionately called for increased youth representation in government, job creation, and more opportunities for women.
Moses expressed concerns about the growing drug abuse problem among young people and the urgent need for economic empowerment. “The youth of Kambia are struggling. Many are jobless, and this exposes them to danger and untimely death. We need more opportunities, Mr. President. Women are suffering, and our youth are dying,” she lamented.
Throughout the discussions, participants engaged in critical conversations about national development, energy, food security, border control, community affairs, justice, and governance. The responses from the audience ranged from frustration to optimism, with many expressing a mix of concerns, hope, and determination.
Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah played a crucial role in addressing participants’ concerns. His calm and engaging approach helped diffuse tension and provided clarity on various government initiatives. He emphasized that the Civic Day Series is designed to bridge the gap between citizens and the government, ensuring that civic awareness remains a priority.
Minister Bah also underscored the significance of Sierra Leone’s national pledge and anthem, reminding participants that these are symbols of unity and responsibility.
By the end of the event, participants left with a renewed sense of civic duty and confidence in their role in national development. The first-ever National Civic Day Series in Kambia was a resounding success, setting the stage for future engagements across the country.
