By Saidu Jalloh | D.S Reporter
FREETOWN — A delegation from Malawi is in Sierra Leone on a civic education exchange led by the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), aimed at strengthening citizen engagement with government and public institutions.
The visit opened with high-level talks at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) in Freetown. The Malawian team, headed by NaCCED Chairman Joseph Munda Bindi, was received by Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, and senior officials of the ministry.
Discussions focused on how civic education can deepen public understanding of rights and responsibilities and promote active participation in national development. Officials from both countries shared experiences and explored practical strategies to boost citizen participation and accountability.
Minister Bah emphasized that civic education is central to building trust between citizens and state institutions, noting that informed citizens are more likely to participate in democratic processes and hold leaders accountable.
The delegation later visited the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), where engagement shifted to the role of the media in public education. SLBC Director-General Josephine Kamara led discussions on leveraging radio, television and digital platforms to expand access to civic information.
Participants underscored the importance of community radio and regional broadcasting in reaching local audiences, and highlighted the growing use of podcasts, interviews and public dialogues to foster civic awareness.
Both sides agreed that independent media and open public debate are critical to effective civic education, with SLBC sharing its experience collaborating with civic groups to disseminate information nationwide.
For the Malawian delegation, the visit demonstrated the value of close collaboration with media organizations in designing civic education programs and the need to bring civic information closer to communities.
The exchange comes at a time when many African countries face similar challenges in promoting active citizenship and public accountability, with officials noting that cross-border knowledge sharing can significantly strengthen civic education efforts.
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