National Commission for Democracy-Sierra Leone

NCD, EASTERN REGION, PROMOTES POLITICAL TOLERANCE AND DRUG AWARENESS IN KENEMA

On Wednesday 18th March, 2026, the Eastern Regional Office of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) conducted a public awareness campaign on political tolerance, positive participation, and drug abuse at Saint James Secondary School in Kenema.

Representing the Regional Commissioner, Pastor Momoh Bockarie, a team led by the Research and Monitoring Officer engaged pupils and teachers in discussions aimed at promoting democratic values and addressing the growing concern of drug abuse among young people.

The Programmes Officer Amadu Wurie highlighted the global challenge of drug abuse among youth, emphasizing the need to engage schools in educating pupils on its dangers. He urged teachers to orientate pupils on the physical and psychological risks associated with substance abuse and to foster supportive environments where pupils can seek guidance.

He noted that preventive education, counseling, and community partnerships are essential in reducing drug abuse.

The Research and Monitoring Officer Francis Lansana outlined the Commission’s mandate to promote good governance and democracy. He stressed the importance of political tolerance, describing it as the ability to respect differing political views.

He encouraged pupils to embrace open dialogue and critical thinking as key components of democratic participation.

In her remarks, Senior Secretary Isatu Conteh advised female pupils to avoid drug abuse and violence, urging them to become responsible and self-reliant members of society.

The engagement concluded with the recitation of the National Pledge, reinforcing the message of unity, responsibility, and national values.

Today, Thursday 26th February 2026, we at the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) engaged youths and business people around PMB and Texaco Lorry Park using our Green, White, and Blue Outside Broadcast van. Through this outreach, we broadcast jingles promoting political tolerance and raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, sensitising the public on the need to embrace one another despite political differences and to refrain from the use of harmful substances.
The engagement proved to be impactful, as community members warmly received our messages, applauded the initiative, and commended the work of the Commission.
We continue to encourage the people of Sierra Leone, especially the youth, who represent the future leadership of our country to stay away from narcotics and reject political intolerance. We must embrace unity, combine our energies, and work together to build our nation. Sierra Leone is all we have; we must handle her with care, like an egg.

NCD EASTERN REGION HELD ITS CITIZENS' PLATFORM MEETING ON POLITICAL TOLERANCE*

NCD Eastern Region held its Citizens' Platform meeting on Political Tolerance on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone Conference Room in Kenema. The meeting was called to order by the Research and Monitoring Officer, Mr. Francis Lansana at 10:30am. The Muslim and Christian prayers were led by representatives from the Interreligious Council in the region, Alhaji Sheku Kamara and Dr. Joe Diawo, respectively. The RMO gave the platform for individual introductions and introduced the facilitator for the meeting.

In his statement, Commissioner East, Pastor Momoh Bockarie, gave a brief background of the commission, its mandate, and the importance of Political Parties to embracing Political Tolerance as a tool for development in the nation. He emphasized that Political Tolerance is essential for development and that politics is a process that will pass and must be done within the law of the nation which cannot affect any development process he emphasized.

In his succinct statement, The Kenema District Election Manager, Mr. Thomas Tamba Tailor, dilated on the essence of Political Tolerance as a key to expressing the opinion of people through the ballot, which can be done within the law of the nation. Freedom of speech and Political Participation are citizens' rights, and the primary objective of ECSL as an institution is to conduct elections through polling staff and announced the results. He emphasized that ECSL, as a commission, does not have the power to manipulate electoral results because elections are done in the presence of everyone, including party agents he ended.

In his brief statement, The Deputy Director East for Political Party Regulation Commission (PPRC), Mr. Karifa Tarawalie thanked NCD for the important and timely meeting for Political Parties. As an institution responsible for regulating Political Parties, he encouraged political parties to work within their code of conduct and the law of the state because election is a cycle, and political education is needed across the country to promote political tolerance, patriotism, and discourage regionalism and tribalism he ended his statement.

In her precise statement, The District Coordinator for Office of National Security, Madam Josephine Wuya Fatorma, thanked NCD and emphasized that Sierra Leone is a democratic state, and when there are issues, security agencies have more work to do than anyone can imagine. She encouraged Political Parties to be peaceful and to love one another, regardless of their party affiliations she ended.

In his statement as Former Commissioner-East and Chairman of the Interreligious Religions Council in the East, Alhaji Sheku Kamara, thanked everyone and encouraged Political Parties to embrace political tolerance, emphasizing that unity is the foundation of development in any nation.

The meeting included questions and answers session, with representatives from Human Rights Commission Deputy Director East Mr. Vandi Sannoh, Peace Commission, Major Mansaray RSLAF, Support Officer Kenema Police Division, SLPP PRO Kenema District Mr. Kaywor Brima, APC Kenema District PRO Mr. John Sivallie, APC Women's Leader Kenema District, PMDC Regional Secretary General, ADP Regional Secretary, NGC, RUFP, UPP, Dr. Joe Diawo Dean School of Education, Eastern Technical University, Youth Ambassador Easter Region, Gbotima Women's group among others giving their views on how political parties can achieve political tolerance. The meeting ended with an oath-taking ceremony, where Party Representatives pledged to promote Political Tolerance, followed by the reading of the National Pledge. The closing courtesy and vote of thanks were done by the Programmes Officer, Mr. Amadu Wurie.

NCD - SOUTHERN REGION REACTIVATES ITS CITIZENS' PLATFORM FOR POLITICAL TOLERANCE (CPPT) AS IT COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY

The National Commission for Democracy (South) on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, convened a stakeholders’ meeting on the “Reactivation of the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance (CPPT)”. The meeting brought together a broad range of participants, including electoral management bodies such as the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), governance institutions like the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and the Legal Aid Board, as well as civil society organisations, women’s and youth groups, Children for Democracy, Youths for Democracy, the Bike Riders Union, petty traders, teachers, NGOs, and other community stakeholders.

The engagement aligned with His Excellency’s declaration of 18th January as National Remembrance Day, which calls for reflection on the atrocities committed during Sierra Leone’s eleven-year civil war and the lasting impact on the nation and its people.

In his opening remarks, the Senior Public Education officer who also doubled as the officer in charge of the Southern region, Mr. Abdulrahman Gassama, provided an overview of the reactivation of the CPPT, highlighting the establishment, mandate, and core values of the National Commission for Democracy. He emphasised the importance of the CPPT in strengthening political tolerance, particularly in the context of rising political tension as the country moves toward the 2028 elections.

Representatives from ECSL, PPRC, HRCSL, and the Legal Aid Board also delivered statements reaffirming their commitment to democratic governance and peaceful political engagement.

The facilitator, Mr. Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu Esq., delivered a compelling presentation that resonated strongly with participants. This was followed by an interactive session and a question-and-answer segment, during which participants engaged actively and constructively. The meeting concluded with the closing remarks delivered by the Senior Programmes Officer of NCD's Southern Office, Mr. Andrew George Esq.