The Civic Day Series officially opened in Makeni on Monday, bringing together a diverse mix of school pupils, university students, bike riders, youth organizations, community leaders, women’s groups, the media, and members of the inter-religious council.

Held at the University of Makeni, the opening session featured discussions on the importance of civic education, responsible citizenship, and empowering young people to actively shape national development.

Students and youth leaders led conversations on key national issues, including the upcoming census and the constitutional review. “We are no longer leaders of the future; youths are the leaders of today,” one participant emphasized, calling for the constitution to address the challenges facing young people.

Other groups focused on the fight against corruption, stressing that young people must also hold themselves accountable. Calls were also made for the Anti-Corruption Commission to expand civic engagement efforts.

A group representing young people with hearing disabilities raised concerns about limited access to public services and employment opportunities. They praised the Ministry for consistently providing sign language interpreters but urged the government to ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of disability.

Officials noted the recommendations and promised to forward them to the relevant authorities. Many of the issues will also be discussed further during a large town hall meeting scheduled for tomorrow, where residents of Makeni will directly engage with government ministers and agency heads.

The opening day ended with a commitment from the Ministry to keep the public updated throughout the series and to ensure citizens’ voices remain at the center of the conversations.