By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Residents of Kambia District have commended President Julius Maada Bio’s administration for fostering transparency and bridging the gap between the government and the people. The praise follows a two-day dialogue facilitated by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, aimed at addressing critical development issues.
The event, part of the Ministry’s Civic Day Series initiative, featured diverse activities designed to engage both youth and community stakeholders. On the first day, school pupils and young people participated in a Quiz and Debate competition, tackling topics such as the importance of census, the influence of technology on children, and the role of civic education in combating corruption.
The second day saw community stakeholders from various sectors gather for a four-hour town hall meeting. The session included high-profile government officials such as the Attorney General, Minister of Local Government, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Statistician General, and Energy Sector Lead Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and receive updates on key issues, including border security, energy, constitutional review, and decentralization.
“I am so happy for this engagement; this is democracy in action,” said Ibrahim Kamara, a motorbike rider. A disability advocate added, “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.”
Government officials shared significant updates during the town hall. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture highlighted progress on the Feed Salone initiative and Kambia’s role in it. The Statistician General emphasized the importance of census data and its potential to create opportunities. Meanwhile, the Minister of Local Government announced plans to add new districts to enhance local governance.
Youth participation remained a cornerstone of the program, with senior secondary pupils showcasing their knowledge and debating skills on national topics such as census, technology, and civic education.
Kambia leaders hailed the Civic Day Series as one of the most impactful programs held in the district in recent years. They urged the Ministry to replicate similar initiatives across the country to strengthen civic engagement and foster development.