CIVIC DAY SERIES IN MAKENI 2025
TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2025
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
BY: Zacharia Jalloh Ministry of Information and Civic Education
In Makeni, key government officials and opposition members joined the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for its National Civic Day Series, directly engaging with citizens on important governance issues. These issues range from the National Census, Constitutional Review, Redistricting, Security, Feed Salone, Public Sector Reform, Social Affairs and other relevant sectors. The following are the key takeaways from the high-level panel discussion.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay Esq. announced to the public that the Criminal Procedure Act 2024 has come into effect on the 16th September 2025. He stated that this law governs the conduct of criminal proceedings in Sierra Leone. He went further to add that five individuals allegedly connected to the killing of Reverend Father Amadu in Kenema have been arrested and charged in court. These individuals will be among the first set of suspects to be charged under the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
Attorney General Alpha Sesay Esq informed the public that the Constitution Review was borne out of the Lome Peace Accord of 1999 and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He added that in the past two decades, the government of former Presidents Kabba, Former President Koroma, through the Peter Tucker and Justice Cowan Commission, had worked hard to review the 1991 constitution with thousands of engagements across the country. Continuing the process, AG Sesay said, President Dr Julius Maada Bio pledged to complete the process to ensure the 1991 Constitution is reviewed to be in line with the needs of the current generation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, emphasised that Sierra Leone as a nation must feed itself, and that’s the vision of His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio. He informed the people of Makeni that due to the increase in local rice production, the price of imported rice has decreased, and the World Food Programme (WFP) now uses 40% of local rice for its school feeding programs. He announced that Makeni City is the second-largest producer of eggs in the country. He attributed this to the government’s $20 million credit facility with a 10 per cent interest rate to support farmers in boosting production.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, discouraged young people from engaging in illegal travel. He emphasised the danger associated with travelling by road through Libya to Europe. Minister Kermity said they have put measures in place to punish people who are in the habit of endangering the lives of young people with illegal migration. In the fight against Kush, Minister Kermity said there is an inter-ministerial approach to address the Kush menace. She cited rehab centres across the country to rehabilitate and reintegrate young people into society. She called on the youths to stay away from Kush.
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, spoke about the Ministry’s strategic plan, which lays the roadmap to shape the Tourism sector in the country. Minister Tunis said the staff of the Ministry and journalists who contribute to the creative economy were trained to build their capacity to implement the Strategic Plan. On infrastructure development to boost tourism, Minister Tunis boasted about the construction of three sites in Leicester Peak, Tacugama and Bureh Beach. She said these are world-class sites to attract local and international tourists to boost the economy.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor, informed the people that there is an ongoing process to reform the Police Force and the Correctional Service to more responsive sectors to the needs of the people. Minister Lengor called on the people of Makeni to register with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and get their National Identification Number to enable them to access services. Minister Lengor hailed Makeni as one of the peaceful cities in the country and encouraged the people to ensure Makeni City becomes the safest city in the country.
The Principal Executive Adviser to the President on the Public Service and Head of Public Sector Reform Unit Dr Emmanuel Gaima revealed that they have successfully done 84% of the implementation of the Tripartite Recommendations, 37% of the recommendations completed, 47% of the recommendations about to be completed and 16% not yet addressed due to other constitutional considerations.
Member of Parliament of the All People’s Congress, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, debunked the misinformation spreading across the Country that the Tripartite Committee is meant to remove the legitimate President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio. He clearly stated that, the Tripartite Committee is to ensure that the electoral system of Sierra Leone is reviewed for future elections.
Hon. Ibrahim Barrie, Member of Parliament of the All People’s Congress commended the government for releasing and pardoning political prisoners. He also hailed the security sector for the level of peace and security Makeni is enjoying. Hon. Barrie urged the government to construct the road leading to the Makeni government hospital to save lives.
The Mayor of Makeni, Abubakarr Kamara, appreciates the government for sustaining constant and reliable electricity to the people of Makeni. However, sends a message to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio to consider resolving the issue of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, saying they are brothers and he is making the request on behalf of the people of Makeni.
The Presidential Spokesman, Alhaji Alpha Khan, informed the people that President Bio is a national leader who knows no tribe or region in dispensing national development. He also lauded the significance of the redistricting process to the development of the country. He said the President has the constitutional power to declare any locality in the country but because the President believes in consultation, the government is currently engaging the public on the redistricting process.
The Director of Public Sector Reform Unit, Sulaiman Musa Phoray, hailed the rise of young people in governance under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio. He went further to emphasise President Bio’s vision in reforming institutions in Sierra Leone, including ECSL, IMC, SLBC and PPRC. Mr Sulaiman Musa Phoray informed that, they have reviewed these institutions with hundreds of recommendations for implementation.
The Director, Communication and Public Relations at Statistics Sierra Leone Samuel Ansumana, has urged citizens to prepare for the 2026 National Census and be prepared to be counted. He reported that Statistics Sierra Leone is in high gear to deliver a census that is transparent and inclusive. To show commitment, he disclosed that, the government has committed $24million for the conduct of the December 2026 National Census.
