By: Kadiatu Sankoh
The Civic Day Series in Tonkolili District, organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, continued the nationwide engagement drive aimed at fostering dialogue between government and citizens. This outreach reflects the Ministry’s commitment to taking governance to the people, ensuring inclusivity, accountability, and civic participation in national development. The following are the key highlights:
Deputy Minister Emphasizes the Ministry’s Vision and National Outreach
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bocakarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh, informed the people of Tonkolili that the Civic Day Series embodies the Ministry’s mantra, “Salone Big Pass Wi All.” He reiterated that the Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Chernor Bah, has toured several districts including Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, Kenema, Makeni, Bo, and Tonkolili. Deputy Minister Bawoh explained that this initiative reflects President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s vision of expanding civic space and bringing government closer to the people. He emphasized the Ministry’s use of Krio as a language of communication to ensure inclusivity and better understanding among citizens.
Resident Minister Highlights Regional Challenges and Security Coordination
Resident Minister North-East Region, Mr. Ibrahim Jalloh, shared that upon his appointment by President Bio, he conducted a regional assessment identifying challenges such as boundary and land disputes, poor revenue mobilization, youth drug abuse, and disregard for traffic rules. He explained that through District and Provincial Security Coordination Committees (DiSeC and ProSeC), his office has resolved multiple community disputes, including boundary conflicts between Tonkolili and Koinadugu districts.
District Council Chairperson Commends RMFA and Appeals for More Support
Chairperson of Tonkolili District Council, Madam Yabom Sesay, praised the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) for consistently supporting the district in constructing and rehabilitating roads, bridges, and culverts. She noted that this assistance has facilitated development across all 19 chiefdoms. However, she appealed for increased funding, and expressed disappointment over the absence of EU-supported projects in Tonkolili.
National Minerals Agency Reports Growth in Mining Sector
Director of Communication and Community Affairs at the National Minerals Agency, Ibrahim Satti Kamara, reported significant improvements in Sierra Leone’s mining sector under President Bio’s leadership. He revealed that 70–80% of national export earnings come from mining, totaling $1.12 billion in 2024, with non-tax revenue increasing to $49.4 million. License fees doubled from $10.9 million in 2023 to $21.4 million in 2024. Mr. Kamara emphasized that mining revenues are funding government interventions in agriculture, health, and education, while the sector employs 17,000 people nationwide. He also highlighted that mining companies pay NLe200 million annually in surface rent and contribute 1% of export revenues to the Community Development Agreement (CDA) for local development.
Leone Rock Metal Reaffirms Compliance and Community Investment
Leone Rock Metal representative, Mamoud Melvin Jah, reaffirmed the company’s compliance with Sierra Leonean laws. He disclosed that of the 4,864 employees at the Tonkolili mines, 3,011 are residents of Tonkolili District. The company has invested heavily in training, certifying 2,456 staff to operate processing plants, and training 364 women in firefighting and emergency response. In April 2025, Leone Rock presented over NLe62 million in CDA payouts to primary mining communities.
Minister of Sports Showcases National Sporting Achievements
Minister of Sports, Augusta James-Teima, highlighted major sporting achievements for 2024 and 2025.
2024 Achievements:
Karate (8 Gold Medals), Scrabble (Gold in Accra), Gymnastics (20 Gold in Azerbaijan), Volleyball (Gold), Under-20 Shooting Stars (AFCON Qualification), and Cycling (Gold in Tour de Côte d’Ivoire).
2025 Achievements:
Sierra Queens won the WAFU-A competition in Mauritania; Sierra Leone Female U-17 won in Liberia; and the national athletics team won 4 Gold, 3 Silver, and 3 Bronze in Liberia.
The Minister also noted that the Ministry is developing new National Sport, Gender, and Code of Conduct Policies, and reviewing the National Sports Authority Act.
National Fire Force Announces New Fire Station in Magburaka
Legal Officer at the National Fire Force, Bintu Fatmata Kamara Esq, announced the establishment of a new fire station in Magburaka, though currently without a fire engine. She emphasized ongoing public sensitization on fire safety, and outlined the proposed Fire Safety Bill, which contains 58 sections developed through national consultations. Madam Kamara cautioned citizens to remain vigilant, especially during the dry season, as over 500 fire incidents were recorded since January 2025.
National Youth Service Expands to Include HND and HTC Graduates
Chairman of the National Youth Service Board, Abdul Samad Kamara, announced that the Service has trained seven batches since 2018 and that applications for Batch 8 are open until December. He explained that the 2024 NYS Act now includes HND and HTC graduates, not just university degree holders. With Minister Ibrahim Sannoh’s support, youth training hubs—dubbed “Youth Villages”—will be established in Mile 91, Kabala, Hanga, and Moyamba Junction.
National Youth Commission Unveils New Skills Development Partnerships
Board Chairman of the National Youth Commission, Saidu Alie Lakoh, disclosed new partnerships with IOM, ILO, and the Maritime Administration to provide training in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, branding, ICT, and maritime skills. He also mentioned ongoing exploration of opportunities for youth employment in the energy sector, particularly in solar installation, customer care, and technical maintenance.