The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) on Monday, 28th October 2025, successfully concluded the seventh edition of its nationwide Civic Day Series in Tonkolili District. The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing effort to strengthen communication between the Government and citizens, ensuring that the public has access to timely and factual information while countering misinformation and disinformation.
The Civic Day Series has become a flagship initiative under the leadership of the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
In his opening statement, the Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bocakarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, emphasized that the initiative embodies the Ministry’s guiding mantra, “Salone Big Pass Wi All.” He stated that the series, already held in Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Kenema, Makeni and Bo, demonstrates President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s vision of bringing the Government closer to the people. He further highlighted the Ministry’s deliberate use of Krio as a medium of communication to ensure broader understanding among citizens.
Welcoming the delegation, the Resident Minister for the North-East Region, Ibrahim Jalloh, commended the Ministry for promoting “democratic accountability” through direct citizen engagement. He cited ongoing regional challenges such as land disputes, weak revenue generation, youth drug abuse and traffic indiscipline, noting that his office has addressed several boundary disputes; particularly between Tonkolili and Koinadugu districts, through local security coordination mechanisms.
The Chairperson of the Tonkolili District Council, Madam Yabom Sesay, praised the Civic Day initiative and expressed gratitude to the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) for its support in rehabilitating roads, bridges and culverts across the district’s 19 chiefdoms. She, however, called for increased funding and lamented the absence of EU-supported projects in Tonkolili.
Delivering a sectoral update, the Director of Communication and Community Affairs at the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Ibrahim Satti Kamara, highlighted remarkable progress in Sierra Leone’s mining industry. He disclosed that in 2024, mining accounted for between 70 and 80 percent of the country’s total export earnings, amounting to $1.12 billion, with non-tax revenue surging to $49.4 million. License fees, he added, doubled from $10.9 million in 2023 to $21.4 million in 2024. Satti Kamara underscored that mining revenues continue to fund national priorities, including agriculture, health, education and infrastructure, while the sector employs over 17,000 workers nationwide.
Representing Leone Rock Metal Group, Mamoud Melvin Jah reaffirmed the company’s compliance with national mining laws, disclosing that out of 4,864 employees at its Tonkolili operations, 3,011 are indigenes of the district. He noted that Leone Rock has trained over 2,400 staff to operate processing plants and certified 364 women in firefighting and emergency response. “In April 2025, Leone Rock presented over NLe62 million in Community Development Agreement (CDA) payouts to our primary mining communities,” he added.
Minister of Sports, Augusta James-Teima, catalogued Sierra Leone’s recent sporting achievements, including 8 gold medals in Karate, gold in Scrabble (Accra), 20 gold medals in Gymnastics (Azerbaijan) and gold in Volleyball. She also celebrated the Under-20 Shooting Stars’ AFCON qualification and Sierra Leone’s victories in Cycling, WAFU-A women’s football, and athletics. She announced the ongoing development of National Sport, Gender and Code of Conduct Policies, alongside a review of the National Sports Authority Act.
Legal Officer at the National Fire Force, Bintu Fatmata Kamara Esq., revealed the establishment of a new fire station in Magburaka, though it is yet to receive a fire engine. She discussed the proposed Fire Safety Bill, comprising 58 sections developed through nationwide consultations and urged citizens to remain vigilant during the dry season, disclosing that over 500 fire incidents had been recorded in 2025 alone.
Chairman of the National Youth Service Board, Abdul Samad Kamara, announced that seven batches have been trained since 2018, with applications for Batch 8 open until December 2025. He revealed that the 2024 NYS Act now accommodates HND and HTC graduates and outlined plans to establish “Youth Villages” in Mile 91, Kabala, Hanga, and Moyamba Junction.
Similarly, the Board Chairman of the National Youth Commission, Saidu Alie Lakoh, shared updates on new partnerships with IOM, ILO and the Maritime Administration to expand training opportunities in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, ICT, and maritime professions. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to create youth employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
The event concluded with an interactive session in which over 20 citizens engaged directly with Government officials, seeking clarifications on governance and development matters.
The Tonkolili Civic Day edition underscored MoICE’s unwavering commitment to transparency, public engagement and President Bio’s vision of a Government that listens, learns and delivers for the people.
