Residents of Kenema have lauded the recently concluded Presidential Townhall held on June 16 and 17, 2025, describing it as a landmark moment in Sierra Leone’s democratic journey and a true example of participatory governance.

Citizens who attended the two-day event at the Eastern Provincial Headquarters praised the inclusive platform that brought nearly the entire cabinet face-to-face with the electorate, an occurrence they hailed as unprecedented in the country’s history.

Although President Julius Maada Bio was unavoidably absent due to unforeseen circumstances, Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, ably represented him. Together with a full slate of cabinet ministers, David Moinina Sengeh fielded a broad range of direct, unscreened questions from members of the public. The event gave residents a rare opportunity to engage top Government officials in an open and unfiltered dialogue.

Kicking off the Townhall, the Chief Minister responded to citizen-submitted questions gathered through various online platforms coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. Minister Chernor A. Bah, who moderated the session, raised critical issues such as the Feed Salone initiative, national inclusivity, the Free Quality Education program, child protection, the Safe Motherhood Bill, the Tripartite Committee recommendations, redistricting and MPOX, among others.

The event later transitioned into a dynamic panel discussion, during which all attending cabinet ministers took turns addressing public concerns and explaining the workings of their respective ministries. The level of access and interaction, observers say, set a new benchmark for Government transparency and civic engagement in Sierra Leone.

“This is the first time we have witnessed such openness from Government officials in this country,” remarked one Kenema resident. “It shows that our voices matter.”

President Bio, widely recognized for his democratic reforms, was praised by many attendees for creating the enabling environment that fosters such high-level citizen engagement. Since taking office, the President has emphasized inclusivity as a cornerstone of his governance philosophy; a vision clearly reflected in the Townhall proceedings.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education also received commendation for organizing the event and ensuring citizens were not only spectators but active participants in the national dialogue.

Residents urged the Government to institutionalize similar engagements across the country, emphasizing that regular, transparent communication helps build public trust and equips citizens to make informed decisions.

As part of the Townhall activities, a quiz and debate competition was held among secondary schools on June 16 to commemorate the Day of the African Child; an initiative that added an educational and youthful dimension to the broader civic conversation.

The Presidential Townhall in Kenema has been hailed as a milestone in deepening democracy, giving hope to many that such engagements will become a permanent feature of governance in Sierra Leone.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/kenema-residents-applaud-historic-presidential-townhall-for-advancing-participatory-democracy/