Albert Baron Ansu
Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa has in a keynote address delivered at partnership meeting of National Commission of Civic Education and Development convened at Bank Complex, made a passionate plea for partners from civil society, Ministries Department and Agencies to factor budget for civic education.
The Chief Minister argued that NaCCED must be seen as service provider with the need for complementarity.
He traced the evolution of NaCCED to have revolved around one man, being the extant Commissioner Kalilu Totangi, before a formal terms of reference was developed.
The Chief Minister stated that President Bio was very much concerned about the essence of civic education and as such the consultation that went into the design of the manifesto included civic engagement that has transitioned into NaCCED which he confessed has made them in government very proud.
He described NaCCED as the fastest growing entity “but cannot be everywhere” which is why partnership must be leveraged in amplifying the work of civic education in the country.
The Chief Minister said there is need to introduce civic education in universities as a foundation cause and appealed to CSO partners to focus on awareness raising on environment, gender and youth empowerment, water sanitation and hygiene.
The minister used the occasion to announce that televisions are going to be installed in all chiefdoms to promote civic education. He implored NaCCED to consider gauging public perception on what they think about certain issues and stressed the need for capacity building in maintenance and regulation of the proposed televisions to be installed in chiefdoms as a tool of enlightening the citizenry.
Planning and Development Minister Dr. Francis Kaikai providing oversight to the work of NaCCED was in attendance and spoke on the essence of development communication. He stated that President Bio meant well for creating the space for civic engagement in context of development planning that covers ministries department and agencies. He disclosed evolving from a manifesto commitment, civic education has now transitioned in a development plan that was take to the people and new areas were identified thereof. He said the idea was for peope to take ownership of the plan and participate in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation. He said the development plan is not on the shelf. Dr. Francis Kaikai noted that their feedback from the people touched on the reality of many NGOs on the ground but the people hardly know what they are doing. It is as a result of this fact that they have now created platforms inclusive of traditional leaders, private organizations dealing with public funds and CSO in all districts to exchange ideas. He in all of what they are doing NaCCED has been involved. He concluded on the point that coordination is crucial in development communication.
On his part the Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray expressed delight over the partnership meeting, and lauded the impressive work NaCCED is doing. He described the work of NaCCED as taking citizens along. He cited the publication of text books as one noteworthy achievement of NaCCED. He said there is a nexus between his ministry’s mandate and the work of NaCCED, recalling that when COVID struck they ensured that hundred million was provided for NaCCED to embark on awareness raising. He said enlightened citizenry must be in position ask right questions on issue of taxation and other social service delivery as a show of being responsible.
The inofmration minister disclosed that the World Bank has 15 million dollars commitment to digital transformation.
Also speaking was the Deputy Minister of Basic Education. Whilst applauding NaCCED for the remarkable feat in connecting the citizenry to government, she observed that the NaCCED imitative has been nonexistent for the past years. She what NaCCED is doing is contributing to the transformation of education and good governance. She recalled the pessimism that greeted the introduction of free quality education but now the gains are glaring. She disclosed that during the first term the expended forty billion leones among all public schools and this will increased to fifty nine billion leones during the second term. She made mention of new curriculum unit that has been established and have been working with NaCCED. The deputy minister noted that mayhem has drastic reduced in colleges owing to the awareness raising drive and establishment of structures such as youth advisory council. She concluded on the point that civic education is pivotal for effective citizenship.
Earlier chairman of NaCCED Kalilu Totangi restated the fact that president Bio is very passionate about civic education as means of bringing people along. He spoke about the seven books that they have published and due for distribution in all districts. He said the partnership conference is intended to let the stakeholders know what NaCCED is doing and what the stakeholders are also doing. He indicated that they want to rise above the ad hoc engagement. He made mention of their role in contribution to census by facilitating traditional leaders synergy in the process.
Chairing the event was the Northern Region Coordinator of NaCCED Ibrahim Jalloh who underscored the importance of partnering for civic awareness rising to fill information gaps at different layers of citizenry.