Minister Urges Turning Online Youth Voices Into Policy
Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah has called on the government to ensure that young people’s perspectives expressed on digital platforms are directly integrated into public policy and national decision-making.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Youth Policy Dialogue Forum hosted at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, Bah emphasized the vital connection between online civic engagement and effective governance during a fireside discussion on digital democracy and artificial intelligence.
The event, organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), brought together young leaders to evaluate how online platforms shape policy debates, public accountability, and democratic participation across Sierra Leone.
Bah outlined recent initiatives by his ministry to expand public access to information, including multilingual communications, toll-free call lines, and weekly press conferences where citizens directly query government ministers.
Despite these advancements, Bah acknowledged that further steps are essential to engage youth effectively, noting that young citizens increasingly utilize social media and online forums to debate governance and social issues.
"Meaningful engagement must move beyond formal meetings and traditional institutional frameworks," Bah stated, calling for concrete mechanisms to monitor digital discourse and weave youth concerns into state policies.
He encouraged youth to celebrate recent national achievements—such as advancements in inclusive education and disability rights—while continuing to demand rigor and accountability from public officials.
Highlighting practical accessibility measures, Bah noted the inclusion of sign language interpreters at ministry press events and ongoing partnerships with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) to expand interpretation services standard across all government functions.
Expressing confidence in emerging youth leadership, Bah urged young Sierra Leoneans to take active roles in shaping the country's development and policy landscape.
The session, moderated by Iris Aminata Bangura, also tackled critical issues including digital inclusion, combating misinformation, and leveraging artificial intelligence for transparent governance.
Participants concluded that digital participation must yield actionable outcomes, transforming online dialogue into concrete legislative and administrative decisions.
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