By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), under the leadership of Minister Chernor Bah, has officially launched the Salone Civic Festival and certified a group of civic content creators in Freetown. The event took place on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building.
The launch marks the beginning of a three-day nationwide civic celebration aimed at strengthening citizen engagement, enhancing public accountability, and showcasing government achievements across ministries, departments, and agencies.
In his address, Minister Chernor Bah congratulated the winners and participants who contributed to the festival’s contests, talent showcases, and civic innovation initiatives. Representing His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Minister commended the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its financial and technical support, emphasizing that the government deeply values UNDP’s partnership, vision, and ongoing investment in Sierra Leone’s governance and civic education agenda.
Minister Bah also praised Africell and Africell Impact for their strategic partnership, highlighting how their continued collaboration has bolstered the Ministry’s civic outreach programs. He acknowledged the Ministry of Communications, Technology, and Innovation for co-conceptualizing the festival and supporting its digital components despite logistical challenges.
The Minister announced that the festival, scheduled for 11–13 December 2025, will feature a series of interactive sessions, exhibitions, and high-level presentations. He stressed that the event is primarily targeted at young people, who make up more than 65 percent of Sierra Leone’s population. He explained that the festival is not merely an event but a civic movement designed to give citizens especially youth the space to question, learn, participate, and engage directly with their government.
Minister Bah revealed that upcoming UNAP activities, set to launch in December, will introduce major digital and civic innovations. The festival website will go live ahead of the event to allow citizens to register for sessions, as seating capacity will be limited. He recalled that last year’s festival exceeded attendance expectations, prompting the expansion from two to three full days for this year’s celebration.
The Minister outlined three key components that every government institution must present during the festival: its core functions, its achievements over the past year, and its mechanisms for citizen engagement. Ministries and agencies will also demonstrate how citizens can access information, lodge complaints, or provide feedback. This directive, he said, was issued by President Bio, who has mandated full participation from all public institutions, including the Office of the President.
According to Minister Bah, the festival will feature national and international speakers, including a prominent South African civic leader, a population and youth development expert from Columbia University, the UNESCO Regional Director for Africa, and the global director of AFS, the world’s largest youth exchange network. The President, Chief Minister, and Vice President will headline the opening, second-day, and closing ceremonies, respectively.
Additionally, the festival will include major launches, such as the “Slender Back” initiative and other civic innovation projects tied to government achievements. Participants will also enjoy performances by police and military bands, as well as a large outdoor stage designed to accommodate a broader public audience.
In response to public concerns about tariff regulation, Minister Bah clarified that while the government can regulate mobile call and data tariffs, it cannot directly impose price caps on internet service providers due to market size and competitive dynamics. However, he assured the public that ongoing efforts are being made to improve service delivery and promote fair consumer pricing.
Minister Bah concluded by reaffirming that the Salone Civic Festival has now become a national event, promoting government transparency, civic pride, and youth empowerment. He urged all citizens to participate actively, ask tough questions, and take ownership of the country’s development throughout the three festival days.