By Foday Moriba Conteh
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has urged Sierra Leonean youth to become catalysts for positive change in their communities. This call to action came during the official launch of the Salone Civic Festival, held on December 10, 2024, at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown. The festival, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, aims to promote national unity, shared responsibility and sustainable development.
Delivering his keynote address, President Bio emphasized the critical role of civic education in shaping Sierra Leone’s national identity, values and aspirations. He noted that the initiative was introduced early in his presidency to counter the nation’s departure from core principles of unity and shared responsibility.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” President Bio stated, invoking the famous words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. He challenged Sierra Leone’s youth to become ambassadors of positive change and play a pivotal role in the transformation of their communities.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, elaborated on the festival’s broader mission. He explained that the initiative seeks to instill a sense of collective responsibility, promote love for Sierra Leone and foster societal cohesion.
The Minister highlighted key areas of focus, including food security, environmental cleanliness, digitalization and unity under the theme, “Sierra Leone Is Bigger Than All of Us.” Citing the adage, “It is in the minds of men that war is crafted and it is in our minds that we create peace,” he praised President Bio’s foresight in establishing the Ministry of Civic Education. He noted that Sierra Leone’s establishment of this Ministry positions the country as a leader in civic responsibility and education in Africa.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, highlighted her Ministry’s alignment with the civic education agenda through the “Tourism for All Campaign.” She explained that the campaign has successfully bridged regional divides, uniting Sierra Leoneans from the North, South, East and West.
According to the Tourism Minister, the initiative fosters mutual respect and celebrates Sierra Leone’s rich cultural heritage. She underscored her Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the tourism sector’s sustainable growth and its contribution to the national civic education agenda.
Dr. Stefanie Brinkel, Country Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) in Germany, commended the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for creating a platform to advance civic awareness. She emphasized that civic education goes beyond academic study and is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
“Civic education is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy,” Dr. Stefanie Brinkel remarked, reaffirming KAS’s commitment to supporting leadership development and social responsibility across all sectors in Sierra Leone.
The launch of the Salone Civic Festival is seen as a significant milestone in redefining Sierra Leone’s national identity and values. By challenging young people to lead by example and fostering multi-sector partnerships, the initiative emphasizes the shared responsibility of all Sierra Leoneans to build a united, sustainable and prosperous nation.
President Bio’s call to action serves as a rallying cry for citizens to embrace civic education as the bedrock of peace and progress. With youth engagement at the forefront, the Salone Civic Festival aims to create a generation of responsible, empowered citizens ready to drive positive change in their communities.
