Preparations are underway in Kenema as the Eastern District prepares to host Sierra Leone’s first Presidential Town Hall outside of the capital, Freetown.
The event, scheduled to take place at Kenema City Hall, is expected to accommodate up to 2,000 participants. It marks a significant shift in approach, aimed at broadening civic engagement beyond the Western Area.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, said the decision to decentralize the event is part of ongoing efforts to bring governance closer to citizens. “We want to make sure everyone in this country has access to the Presidency,” Bah stated. “President Bio is also committed to listening and answering questions directly from people.”
The town hall follows a similar event held last year in Freetown, where President Julius Maada Bio addressed public questions during a live three-hour session. Topics included youth employment, the Feed Salone initiative, and Sierra Leone’s foreign policy ambitions.
According to the Ministry, questions for the upcoming event have been submitted by citizens nationwide, with a significant number coming from young people. Common themes include energy, education, and agricultural policy.
The Kenema event will also feature a youth engagement session on June 16, part of the Civic Day Series format introduced by the Ministry to promote dialogue between government and citizens.