Young Sierra Leonean Content Creators Equipped to Tell Civic Stories Online

Thirty young Sierra Leoneans have been empowered to become ambassadors of civic storytelling following the successful conclusion of the Civic Digital Content Creator Training Program on Tuesday.

The initiative, themed “Voices of Salone – Civic Storytelling in Digital Spaces,” aimed to equip youth with the skills to produce responsible, constructive, and engaging content that highlights Sierra Leone’s civic values.

Organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation (MOCTI), and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africell Impact Foundation, and UNESCO, the program offered a week-long, hands-on training focused on creating content aligned with the six civic pillars: Love, Feed, Clean, Heal, Digitise, and Salone for We All.

Participants were challenged to apply the skills learned to create digital content that promotes civic engagement, national pride, and social responsibility. Their outputs were reviewed, culminating in a showcase at the program’s closing ceremony, where the top five videos were highlighted for their creativity and impact.

The ceremony, moderated by Timothy Sam, Head of Partnerships at the Ministry, opened with the national pledge, followed by remarks from the Acting Director of Information, who praised the innovative approach of the program and expressed gratitude to all partners and participants for their commitment to shaping positive narratives about Sierra Leone.

A cultural touch was added with a traditional drumming performance, and the top five content creators shared insights into how the civic pillars informed their projects and the messages they hoped to convey to audiences both online and offline.

Trainers Frank Kojo Amankwa and Murtala Mohamed Kamara encouraged participants to continue telling constructive stories and celebrating Sierra Leone’s achievements digitally. Kamara emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive, celebratory tone on digital platforms, stating, “We should celebrate ourselves as a country. Let’s showcase Sierra Leone positively.”

Speaking on behalf of Africell Impact Foundation, Joe Abass Bangura motivated young participants to believe in their creativity, saying, “If you think you can, you can. If you think you won’t, you won’t.”

The event also featured a ten-minute theatre performance, ‘The Echoes of Salone’, celebrating resilience and unity while reflecting the six civic pillars. Certificates of participation were presented to all trainees, recognizing their dedication and achievements in using digital media for civic engagement.

In closing, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, thanked all partners and participants, urging continued collaboration to empower young voices in Sierra Leone’s digital space. He highlighted the importance of responsible, creative storytelling in shaping the country’s image online and fostering civic responsibility among citizens.

The program concluded with the recitation of the national anthem and a group photo, marking the successful culmination of an initiative that promises to inspire a new generation of digital storytellers committed to promoting civic values and national pride.