On 3rd October 2023, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Honourable Chernor Bah, warmly welcomed the European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Manuel Muller, at his office in Youyi Building.

This courtesy visit was centered around the anticipated release of the European Union Election Observation Mission Reports on Sierra Leone’s 24th June election. These reports, slated for 9th to 12th October, signify an avenue for deeper collaboration, particularly in civic education to strengthen democracy, foster national unity, and combat climate change.

Ambassador Muller highlighted the longstanding relationship between the EU and Sierra Leone, stating, “The report will contain information we already released during the preliminary report, but this one will be more detailed. We look forward to the recommendations and how we will work on them to deepen Sierra Leone’s democracy.”

Responding to the Ambassador’s insights, Minister Bah reiterated the country’s commitment to electoral integrity, saying, “Electoral processes around the world are not perfect. We want to work hard to perfect our election process in Sierra Leone. We are committed to looking at the recommendations to build our electoral systems for future elections.” He further emphasized the importance of mutual collaboration in civic education, declaring, “Civic Education is our priority and we need to collaborate in that area to promote citizens’ participation in our quest to deepen our democracy, good governance, and climate resilience. It’s through civic education that we can even socialize the EU recommendations in that report through civic engagement with the people. We are looking forward to working with you.”

Highlighting the transformational impact of civic education, the release notes its pivotal role, especially amidst rising illiteracy among the youth, which can be exploited for political ends.

Deputy Minister Yusuf Keketoma Sandi also added his voice, underscoring the importance of transitioning to a green economy. He asserted, “The elections are over. It’s time to focus on development and the green economy is one aspect we can work on.”