By Ragan M. Conteh

Sierra Leone Parliament through the Committee on Information and Civic Education,  has on Friday, July 19, 2024 engaged the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE), to get firsthand information regarding the new policies.

It has recently concluded consultation and National Civic Education Policy and Strategy conducted by the ministry.

In his opening statement, the deputy chairman who acted as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Civic Education, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, who’s representing the people of Karene district, said the ministry was there and they were having an engagement with the committee responsible to provide oversight to the ministry.

“It is important for the ministry to have such a kind of document to sell the ministry outside of the country,” he noted

Making his presentation, Victor Moiwo, the Legal and Policy Adviser at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, said the national consultations were conducted in all of the four regions and they have engaged stakeholders on their suggestions and contributions to the development of the policy.

The policies developed include; the National Film Policy, National Records and Archives Policy among other policies.

For the Film Policy, he said, ‘it is only a vibrant film industry that plays a key role on social, economic and national development of a country,’ noting that it also offers opportunity to enhance cultural values including job opportunities for young people, promote heritage, national identity that ensures inclusivity for all.

According to Mr. Moiwo the policy has a short term goals that aim to create a legal framework to protect filmmakers and the firm industry.

He added that the policy also shapes perspectives to increase positive energy while promoting creativity to protect the copyright of film owners.

According to the legal and policy adviser, there will be actions which include but not limited to amalgamate all film bodies to have one body and policy that governs all film makers, with the hope to encourage investors to invest in film industry, thus ensuring enforcement of copyright laws to protect local film producers.

Speaking on the importance of the National Records and Archives Policy, he said, it will enhance uniformity to maintain a unique record management system and to protect unauthorized access to information (government information) and for the national Media and Information Policy which will be applied to the print, electronic and the wire service.

Also making his presentation was Ngolo Thomas Katta who is the national consultant for  the drafting of the Civic Education Policy and Strategy Development at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.

He said the national consultation was focused on people from all facet of live  across the country and diverse views were considered, noting civic education is not only about politics governance but to discuss issues regarding climate change, on how to hold duty-bearers accountable.

“Civic education must be a holistic process,” he noted, adding civic education should be in the class room both at primary, secondary and early learning period ‘where children have to understand what is early learning’.

He added that some teachers have been trained on civic education something, he said, every teacher must be a civic education teacher. “Sierra Leoneans should understand the national anthem,” he said, saying in other parts of the world people stand if the national anthem is being sung and this must be seen by parliament and the executive.

In his response, the committee chairman, said, “The national record and archives policy and film policy are very important and critical,” saying though it is yet to complete but it’s comprehensive.

“When you talk about national records and archives you need to have a template that looks at all sectors across the country,” Hon. Abdul Karim Karama said.

Hon. Ibrahim Barrie thanked the ministry for the ‘well-planned and comprehensive documents,’ noting the documents are timely for the country especially looking at the National Archives policy.

“The national film industry can create job opportunities for many,’ he stated adding “it is a whole career on its own” and that if there should be a legal framework that protects those in it.

According to him, civic education is very important and has power.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK) the opposition whip in parliament said ‘it is important that we start taking national responsibility and civic education pillars and it must be treated with all seriousness;’ he suggested for a civil department.

Gilbert Bosco Nhabay, the acting Clerk, thanked the Ministry of Information and Civic Education for developing such national policies and assured parliament to support the process.  ‘‘This policy will help to tell the true stories about Sierra Leone; we need to be united as national unity is very fundamental to inform this process.”

He stated that Parliament of Sierra Leone is leading the process to ensure cohesive country while recalling the recent MOU signed by parliament and the CSOs, saying MOICE can use that platform for better civic engagement.

The chairman however encouraged staff of the ministry to be visiting parliament.

He said parliament is open to continue the engagement to be better informed about the policy documents.