AYV News, May 29, 2025
The National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has successfully wrapped up a series of regional public engagements on the 2025 Citizens’ Budget, a simplified version of the national budget designed to enhance transparency and public participation in governance.
The Citizen’s Budget, titled “A Citizen’s Guide to the National Budget-2025”, and was launched in Freetown by the Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, before being taken to Makeni, Port Loko, Kenema, and Bo for broader public consultation.
With the theme “Improving the Well-being and Quality of Life of Sierra Leoneans,” the initiative aimed to simplify the national budget for better public understanding, gather grassroots input to ensure the budget reflects citizens’ needs, and strengthen accountability through open discussions between government, civil society, and local communities.
Speaking at the engagements, NaCCED Chairman Joseph Munda Bindi emphasized that an informed citizenry is the foundation of democracy. He described the national budget as a “social contract” between the government and the people, urging citizens to actively participate in governance.
“Civic education is not just about voting, it’s about understanding how government works. When a market woman knows how taxes are spent, or a student understands the education budget, they become active guardians of national progress,” Bindi stated.
In the Northern Region of Makeni, Paramount Chief Bai Nakarie N’Kolo II praised NaCCED for ensuring citizens understand their rights and responsibilities. Mathew Thorlie, representing persons with disabilities, commended the inclusion of marginalized groups in the budget process.
In the North-West of Port Loko, Mayor Alie Badara Tarawallie urged citizens to use the budget to hold local councils accountable. John Kanu of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) pledged to disseminate budget information widely among disabled communities.
For the Eastern Region in Kenema, the Deputy Mayor Rugiatu Koroma stressed the importance of tax compliance for national development. Amara Kalie, a disability advocate, expressed gratitude for being included in the discussions.
Bo Mayor Kobba Musa encouraged citizens to monitor government spending for better service delivery.
Madam Rosaline Belmoh, representing persons with disabilities, vowed to educate her community on budget priorities.
Resident Minister South, Chief John Abu, described the budget as “the government’s plan for the people” and urged citizens to stay informed. Meanwhile, civil society leaders called for more localized engagements to ensure every Sierra Leonean understands their role in governance.
To enhance accessibility, NaCCED produced a 15-minute animated video explaining the budget, which will be translated into local languages, aired on national radio stations, and distributed to chiefdoms with solar-powered TVs.
This initiative marks a significant step toward participatory democracy, ensuring that the 2025 budget truly serves the people.
