By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Democracy is often described as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But what happens when the people themselves lack the knowledge to understand or meaningfully engage in that system? In Sierra Leone today, this question sits at the heart of our political and civic reality.
Elections come and go, political parties rise and fall, yet one thread remains constant the limited civic awareness among citizens about their rights, responsibilities, and role in shaping governance. Democracy thrives not merely because people vote, but because they understand why they vote, what they vote for, and how their participation influences national development.
Civic education, therefore, is not just an academic subject or a topic for workshops it is the foundation of an informed and active citizenry, it teaches citizens to question policies constructively, to demand accountability, to participate in decision-making, and to respect differing opinions. It reminds us that democracy is not an event every five years, but a daily act of engagement, dialogue, and responsibility.
Unfortunately, in many parts of Sierra Leone, civic education remains either absent or undervalued, for many, politics is reduced to loyalty to parties or personalities rather than a commitment to principles and policies, the result is a system where manipulation thrives, misinformation spreads easily, and citizens are often used as instruments of division rather than partners in nation-building.
The recent tensions, the spread of misinformation on social media, and low voter turnout in some elections all point to one thing a gap in civic awareness, when citizens do not understand the systems that govern them, democracy weakens, when they view leadership as privilege rather than service, democracy suffers, when they fail to hold public officials accountable or demand transparency, corruption and impunity take root.
To strengthen democracy in Sierra Leone, civic education must be revived and prioritized not just in schools, but in communities, youth groups, workplaces, and local governance structures. It should form part of our public discourse, media programs, and everyday conversations.
Government institutions like the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) and the Ministry of Basic and senior secondary education have vital roles to play, civic learning should be integrated into school curricula using practical examples of rights, laws, and community responsibilities, the media, too, must play its role as a vehicle for public enlightenment moving beyond sensationalism to promote civic-based discussions that inform and empower citizens.
Civic education is not about creating opposition; it is about creating understanding. An informed population is less likely to be deceived, more likely to engage constructively, and better positioned to contribute to good governance, it builds tolerance, strengthens accountability, and bridges the gap between government and the governed.
As Sierra Leone continues its democratic journey, we must remember that the true power of democracy lies not in the hands of politicians, but in the hearts and minds of the people,that power can only be realized when citizens are educated, informed, and empowered to participate fully in the democratic process.
Civic education, therefore, is not optional it is the soul of democracy, without it, democracy becomes an empty word, with it, it becomes a living, breathing promise of hope, progress, and shared responsibility.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
