The Acting Director of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Mr. Emmanuel Turay, on Monday, 15th September 2025, underscored the importance of the Civic Day Series during an event at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) auditorium.
The program attracted a large audience, including pupils, university students, community stakeholders, civil society organizations, residents, the press, and MoICE staff.
Mr. Turay explained that the Civic Day initiative is designed to bring government closer to the people by promoting transparency, accountability, and dialogue on national development.
He noted that it also provides an opportunity to engage citizens directly on civic values, national responsibilities, and the importance of unity.
Reminding the audience that “Sierra Leone is bigger than all of us, and nothing should divide us,” he emphasized that the national pledge should inspire unity, pointing to intermarriages and diversity as pillars of the nation’s strength.
He described civics not only as a school subject but as a way of life, teaching citizens how to behave, love their country, and fulfill their duties. He urged students to know their leaders, paramount chiefs, districts, wards, rivers, and other aspects of national identity, calling such knowledge a core civic responsibility.
Mr. Turay further explained that MoICE serves as a bridge between government and citizens, conveying public views to leaders while bringing policies and responses back to the people.
Citizens, he said, also have a duty to protect state property, report misconduct, and play an active role in national development.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that the second day of the Civic Day Series would focus on accountability, with government ministers expected to face citizens’ questions on electricity, clean water, and service delivery.
