Sierra Leone's Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, recently hosted a high-level dialogue in Freetown to discuss digital democracy, artificial intelligence (AI), and the future of civic participation. The event, titled "Youth Voices, Digital Democracy, AI and the Future of Civic Engagement," was part of the Sierra Leone Youth Policy Dialogue Forum, organised by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). The session provided a platform for young Sierra Leoneans to engage with public officials and discuss pressing issues.
The dialogue, moderated by Iris Aminata Bangura, focused on digital inclusion, the ethical use of AI, misinformation, disinformation, and institutional accountability. Minister Bah highlighted the empowering role of digital platforms in enabling young people to demand accountability, influence government priorities, and participate more actively in democratic processes. He also outlined initiatives by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) to strengthen communication between the government and citizens.
Minister Bah acknowledged the need for government communication to evolve and effectively reach young people on social media and other digital platforms. He advocated for flexible and practical feedback mechanisms that can incorporate young people's perspectives into policy development and executive decision-making. This, he believes, will ensure that the voices of young people are heard and valued in the country's development process.
The Minister encouraged young people to recognise national progress in governance, disability rights, and inclusive education, while continuing to hold institutions accountable. He cited the provision of sign language interpreters at all official MoICE events and an ongoing partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to train interpreters for deployment across government institutions. These initiatives demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
Drawing on his own background in youth activism, Minister Bah expressed confidence in Sierra Leone's emerging generation of leaders. He urged them to take ownership of national development and use digital tools to safeguard democratic integrity. The Minister's engagement with young people reflects the government's efforts to foster a more inclusive and participatory democratic process.
The high-level dialogue provided a valuable opportunity for young Sierra Leoneans to engage with public officials and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by digital democracy and AI. The event demonstrated the government's commitment to listening to the voices of young people and promoting their participation in the country's development process. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education will continue to play a key role in facilitating this engagement.
The Sierra Leone Youth Policy Dialogue Forum, organised by ECOSOCC, aims to promote youth participation in policy development and national decision-making. The forum provides a platform for young people to engage with public officials and discuss pressing issues affecting the country. Minister Bah's engagement with young people at the forum reflects the government's efforts to promote a more inclusive and participatory democratic process.
Key points
- Minister Chernor Bah engages youths on digital democracy, AI, and civic participation.
- The dialogue focuses on digital inclusion, AI, misinformation, and institutional accountability.
- Minister Bah outlines initiatives to strengthen communication between government and citizens.
