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Residents of Kambia have expressed their appreciation for President Julius Maada Bio’s administration for fostering improved communication between the government and the community through the Civic Day Series initiative.
Organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the two-day event brought together various stakeholders, including activists, journalists, school pupils, and community leaders, to discuss critical development issues facing the district.
The first day featured a Quiz and Debate competition aimed at young participants. Topics spanned the importance of census, the impact of technology on children, and the role of civic education in combating corruption. The engagement was seen as a significant step toward involving the youth in national discourse.
“I am so happy for this engagement; this is Democracy in action,” said Ibrahim Kamara, a motorbike rider in Kambia. “To talk openly and freely to all these government leaders? This has never happened here in Kambia. We only see gatherings of this nature during elections. So I am happy that this event happened here in Kambia,” a disability advocate added.
On the second day, a town hall meeting featured key government figures, including the Attorney General, Alpha Sesay Esq., the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Tamba Lamina, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Madam Theresa Dick, the Statistician General, Mr. Johnny, and Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who leads the Energy Sector. They updated the community on vital concerns such as border security, energy supply, constitutional review, and local governance decentralization.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Madam Theresa Dick addressed the progress of the Feed Salone initiative, emphasizing Kambia’s involvement in enhancing food security. The Statistician-General, Mr. Johnny underscored the importance of the census and the opportunities it could create for the local population. Meanwhile, the Minister of Local Government announced plans to establish additional districts to enhance local governance.
Youth participation was emphasized throughout the program, with senior secondary students taking part in discussions that highlighted critical national topics like Census, Technology, and Civic Education.
Community leaders acknowledged the significance of the engagements, stating, “This is the most impactful program that has been held in the district in a long time.” They called on the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to continue such initiatives across the country, advocating for sustained dialogue between the government and citizens.
The Civic Day Series has been hailed as a turning point for civic engagement in Kambia, reaffirming the essential role of dialogue in a thriving democracy. Residents have expressed hope for more opportunities to share their thoughts and directly interact with their leaders in the future.
