By George M.O. Williams
Sierra Leone – January 21, 2026: The National Commission for Democracy (NCD) on Wednesday convened a high-level dialogue on political tolerance as part of activities commemorating Sierra Leone’s National Remembrance Day.
The event, held at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Conference Room, brought together religious leaders, representatives of democratic institutions, and other stakeholders to reflect on the nation’s past, present, and future, with emphasis on sustaining peace and preventing a relapse into conflict.
Speaking at the dialogue, Reverend Gibrilla Kargbo, NCD’s Director of Programmes, stressed the importance of free, fair, and credible elections, warning that electoral processes must never become sources of division or instability.
“Whatever challenges we face as a nation should not come through elections,” Kargbo said. He urged government to strengthen democratic institutions, noting that their independence and adherence to constitutional mandates are vital for building public confidence and curbing authoritarian tendencies.
Kargbo also raised alarm over the growing problem of drug addiction, calling for expanded rehabilitation programmes nationwide. He encouraged families, schools, and religious institutions to take active roles in sensitization and prevention, describing drug abuse as a serious threat to national cohesion and youth development.
He further underscored the need to fully implement the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, which he described as essential to peacebuilding, development, and national unity.
Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Philip Tondoneh, highlighted the central role of effective public administration in achieving national development goals. He emphasized that inclusive growth, social equity, and good governance practices depend on strong administrative systems.
Tondoneh cautioned that while reforming state institutions is necessary, it must be done carefully to avoid reigniting conflict. He stressed that sequencing and prioritization of reforms are critical to sustaining peace, fostering political tolerance, and promoting long-term development.
Director of Communications at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Emmanuel A.B. Turay, addressed the growing influence of social media, warning of risks posed by unregulated blogging. He described misuse of digital platforms as an emerging challenge that could undermine peace and stability if left unchecked.
Turay called for regulation of bloggers and training initiatives to ensure responsible use of social media, stressing that freedom of expression must be balanced with national security and social The dialogue formed part of National Remembrance Day activities, which honor victims of Sierra Leone’s civil war while reinforcing commitments to peace, dialogue, and political tolerance as foundations for the country’s democratic future.