-Information Minister
By Alice A. Kamara
Strategic Communication Unit
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education extended its ongoing national conversation to Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora through the Civic Day USA Edition, held on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Daylight Studio in New York.
Organised as a side event of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the engagement brought together senior Government officials and Sierra Leoneans living in the United States for direct discussions on national policies, reforms, public services and development priorities.
The event was hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, as part of the Ministry’s continued efforts to bring the Government closer to citizens and create opportunities for people to receive information directly from public officials.
The Civic Day Series is the Ministry’s flagship public-engagement platform. It allows citizens to hear directly from Government Ministers, ask questions on issues affecting them and receive immediate responses from the officials responsible for the relevant sectors.
The New York edition featured Ministers responsible for foreign affairs, finance, planning and economic development, justice, communication and technology, education, health, youth affairs, employment, social welfare, energy, fisheries, gender, environment and climate change.
During the engagement, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., outlined proposed constitutional reforms, including changes to the electoral system, women’s political representation and the participation of dual citizens in Parliament and Cabinet.
The Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, provided an update on Sierra Leone’s AI Diagnostics and Readiness Assessment and the development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy tailored to the country’s needs. She also spoke about digital-skills training for civil servants and opportunities for collaboration with Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora.
The Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, discussed the Government’s commitment to creating 500,000 sustainable jobs for young people under the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030. He also highlighted skills training, entrepreneurship and the involvement of young people in decision-making.
Education Ministers Conrad Sackey and Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie addressed reforms across basic, senior secondary, technical and higher education. Their presentations covered teacher licensing, examination integrity, access to education, digital learning and the responsible use of artificial intelligence by students and educators.
Other Ministers provided updates from their respective sectors and responded to questions from citizens.
The engagement offered Sierra Leoneans in the United States an opportunity to raise their concerns, seek clarification on Government policies and explore ways of contributing their knowledge, networks and experience to national development.
The Civic Day USA Edition continued the Ministry’s drive to promote transparency, accountability and informed civic participation by creating a shared platform where the Government and citizens can engage directly.
