Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah has encouraged local journalists to build good relationship to foster peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.

The minister attended the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists’ (SLAJ) Annual General Meeting in Kenema and delivered an inspirational speech that seeks to promote peace and national cohesion.

This year’s theme focused on: ‘The role of journalism in promoting dialogue, sustainable peace and national cohesion in post-election Sierra Leone’.

Minister Bah extended appreciation on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to the membership of SLAJ, reiterating government’s unflinching commitment to support the growth of the media in order to advance press freedom and free speech.

He called on the Association’s membership and other professionals to create good human relationships which will be used to promote peace and national cohesion.

Minister Bah said people should not be obsessed with neutrality to the extent of not having relationships with people, adding; “the foundation of peace is anchored on good relationship”.

He applauded the ongoing efforts by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion to address the impasse between the main opposition APC and the Government of Sierra Leone.

In order to combat fake news and negative news, Minister Bah informed the gathering of the urgent need to control the narrative by sharing inspirational stories.

He said: “Sierra Leone is a beautiful country, with lots of amazing stories to write about. Look at Umaru Fofana, a human phenomenon and he is a Sierra Leonean who has had adversaries in life but able to stand out in the world.

“We can use his story to write inspirational messages that will instill hope and peace. Asmaa James is another example in the room. Today she has established a media empire to promote girls and women’s rights. We have plenty of positive examples in our beautiful country to dominate the media”.