Malawi Delegation Visits Sierra Leone for Civic Education Exchange
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo A delegation from Malawi is in Sierra Leone for a civic education exchange led by the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), aimed at improving citizen engagement with government and public institutions.
The visit began with talks at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) in Freetown. The Malawian team, headed by NaCCED Chairman Joseph Munda Bindi, met with Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah and senior officials.
Discussions focused on how civic education can help people better understand their rights and responsibilities and encourage them to take part in national development. Officials from both countries compared their experiences and explored practical ways to strengthen citizen participation.
Bah said civic education plays a key role in building trust between citizens and public institutions. He noted that informed citizens are more likely to take part in democratic processes and hold leaders accountable.
The delegation later visited the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), where talks shifted to the role of media in public education. Director-General Josephine Kamara led discussions on how radio, television and other platforms can be used to reach more people with civic information.
Participants highlighted the role of community radio and regional broadcasting in reaching local audiences. They also discussed the growing use of podcasts, interviews and public discussions to encourage dialogue.
Both sides agreed that independent media and open public debate are essential for effective civic education. SLBC shared its experience working with civic groups to spread information across the country.
For the Malawian delegation, the visit showed the value of working closely with media organisations when designing civic education programmes. They also noted the importance of bringing information closer to communities.
The exchange comes as many African countries face similar challenges in promoting active citizenship and public accountability. Officials say cross-border knowledge sharing can strengthen civic education efforts.