MoICE and MoPED Hold Planning Meeting for the 2nd Edition of the Salone Civic Festival.

The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), convened a planning meeting at the MoPED Conference Hall, NAO Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, ahead of the second edition of the Salone Civic Festival scheduled for December 11–13, 2025.

The meeting brought together high-level stakeholders, including the Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Abdel Aziz Bawoh, senior officials from MoPED, and representatives from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The Salone Civic Festival aims to promote civic engagement, national cohesion, and public awareness of development progress under the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030. It will serve as a national platform for showcasing government achievements, promoting civic responsibility, and fostering open interaction among citizens, government institutions, development partners, and the private sector.

This year’s event will feature exhibitions by MDAs, private sector institutions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and development partners. Activities will include youth debates, quizzes, innovation challenges, public engagement forums, and cultural performances. International guests, including British actor Idris Elba, are also expected to participate.

As part of its contribution, MoPED will host an exhibition booth showcasing its mandate, achievements, flagship projects, and Vision 2030. The booth will feature digital and interactive displays, including a large TV screen and QR-coded policy documents.

The festival is expected to enhance MoPED’s visibility in development leadership, increase public understanding of the MTNDP, expand digital access to information, and strengthen citizen engagement.

Mr. Andrew Kamara, Permanent Secretary of MoICE, described the Salone Civic Festival as a unique platform for MDAs to showcase progress, reforms, and innovations that continue to deepen the civic space. He emphasized that the festival strengthens public awareness, promotes national dialogue, and creates opportunities for citizens to better understand government initiatives. “The festival reflects the collective achievements of the public sector and the aspirations of the people we serve,” he noted.

He added that the planning meeting provided general updates on preparations, presented the festival agenda, and clarified the roles of MDAs, while encouraging strong institutional commitment to delivering a nationally impactful event.

Mr. Usman Cherry Conteh, Deputy Development Secretary I at MoPED, highlighted the importance of the Salone Civic Festival in advancing the implementation of the MTNDP 2024–2030, anchored in the Big Five Game Changers. He noted that the festival’s impact spans all sixteen districts, reflecting ongoing national development efforts.

Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Abdel Aziz Bawoh, encouraged MDAs to strengthen collaboration, noting that the festival has become a unique platform for engaging citizens, informing them about government policies, and gathering feedback that helps refine national priorities. He urged MDAs to present evidence-based achievements aligned with the national development agenda and reiterated the importance of inter-agency cooperation in delivering a successful civic festival.

The meeting concluded with an interactive session, including questions and contributions from various MDAs.

John Farfira Kamara

SLENA Correspondent

Ministry of Planning and Economic Development

Johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com

+232 79 185532