In his familiarization tour, the chairman of the National Council for Civic Education & Democracy (NaCCED) Mr. Joseph Munda Bindi and team has on Thursday 30th January, 2025 paid a courtesy call on the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) at their office in Freetown. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the existing partnership between the two institutions and to work in collaboration to promote peaceful coexistence, civic education, national cohesion and national development in Sierra Leone.
Chairman of NaCCED Mr. Joseph Munda Bindi while explaining the purpose of the visit stated that he believes in partnership and collaboration in achieving shared objectives and goals and that upon his appointment as Chairman of NaCCED he desirous in reaching out to the existing partners whilst trying to foster new partnerships.
Chairman Bindi further added that NaCCED’s responsibility is to ensure that the public is aware about their rights and responsibilities in the development of the country.
He stated that President Bio at his inauguration ceremony in 2018 told Sierra Leoneans that he will wage war on lawlessness which he identified as a major problem in the country, and the reason he established NaCCED to conscientize his people through civic education and engagement.
He emphasized that the work of NaCCED is all embracing as civic education promotes nationalism, patriotism, democratic values, peace and national cohesion; and therefore the need for partnership and collaboration between NaCCED and ICPNC. According to the Chairman, both institutions work towards a common goal which is to promote peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and development of communities in our country.
He emphasized the need for the partnership and collaboration as NaCCED will serve as a vehicle to drive and deliver peace and development communication to the people of Sierra Leone.
He concluded with a promise to share NaCCED’s strategic plan with ICPNC which will serve as a roadmap for both institutions in the bid to actualize their common goals.
In her response, the Executive Secretary for Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Madam Hawa Samai considered the visit as an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship and work between the two institutions.
She explained that NaCCED has been an anchored partner and has been working together over the years.
“NaCCED has been a long time partner since the establishment of ICPNC and we cannot work alone as there is lots of work to be done so we need to put all hands on deck and fasten our seatbelt,” she said.
Madam Samai stated that the visit will serve as a kick-start for both ICPNC and NaCCED to work as a team while calling on NaCCED to work together and use the same space to preach peace and national cohesion.
According to her, NaCCED was part of the Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) alongside Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Political Parties Regulatory Commission (PPRC), Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), basically they look at themselves and noticed that they can achieve more and reduce wastage and duplication of efforts when they work together and thus developed a memorandum of understanding which defines roles and responsibilities by all the parties and the Chairman of NaCCED was the lead facilitator.
The Executive Secretary furthered that every institution has a lot more work to do stemming from the upcoming political parties internal elections, Referendum on the revised national constitution, national census and other emerging issues/events adding that the trend has started and therefore all hands must be on deck to ensure lighter work and better outcomes.
She continued that the Commission is planning to organize half-day provincial meetings with all Paramount Chiefs and the Inter-religious Council, Civil Society Organizations among other partners to discuss how they will help with the elections and other upcoming activities.
Madam Samai promised to revisit the already existing MOU between the institutions and fix meetings with important stakeholders like ECSL, PPRC and other partners to have a friendly conversation on the way forward for a better Sierra Leone.
Deputy Director of Research and Learning at Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Mr. Adekalie Kamara reiterated that civic education go alongside peace citing the relevant of both institutions
Mr. Kamara noted that it is important to include Senior Secondary Schools and Universities and non-formal sector in Civic education because according to him, those set of citizens are crucial in promoting peace and national cohesion.
