Information Minister Engages Youths on Digital Democracy and AI
Sia Lucy Kannah Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has engaged young people in discussions on digital democracy, artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of civic participation at a high-level dialogue in Freetown.
The fireside conversation, titled “Youth Voices, Digital Democracy, AI and the Future of Civic Engagement,” took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel as part of the Sierra Leone Youth Policy Dialogue Forum, organised by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).
Moderated by Iris Aminata Bangura, the session provided a platform for young Sierra Leoneans to question public officials and discuss digital inclusion, the ethical use of AI, misinformation, disinformation and institutional accountability.
Minister Bah highlighted how digital platforms have empowered young people to demand accountability, influence government priorities and participate more actively in democratic processes.
He also outlined initiatives by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) to strengthen communication between the government and citizens. These include multilingual public communication, toll-free channels and regular press briefings that allow citizens to question cabinet ministers on policy issues.
However, Bah acknowledged the need for government communication to evolve to reach young people on social media and other digital platforms. He advocated flexible and practical feedback mechanisms that can incorporate young people’s perspectives into policy development and executive decision-making.
The Minister further encouraged young people to recognise national progress in governance, disability rights and inclusive education while continuing to hold institutions accountable.
Highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to inclusion, he cited the provision of sign language interpreters at all official MoICE events and an ongoing partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to train interpreters for deployment across government institutions.
Drawing on his own background in youth activism, Bah expressed confidence in Sierra Leone’s emerging generation of leaders, urging them to take ownership of national development and use digital tools to safeguard democratic integrity.