Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah thrilled a global audience in New York at the UNESCO International Day of Education program.
As the only minister to be invited by the world body to speak on the transformation of Education in Sierra Leone, Minister Bah used the opportunity to narrate Sierra Leone’s giant steps in education over the last five years of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
The minister brilliantly traced the country’s educational steps from the colonial era to the war period which led to disruptions in the careers of young Sierra Leoneans to the huge strides taken over the last five years and more since President Bio took over leadership of the country.
Chernor Bah wrapped up his exposè by appealing to UNESCO and other partners to use Sierra Leone as a model of transformation of education.
Addressing a high-level gathering of global education figures, the quintessential Chernor Bah delved into Sierra Leone’s tumultuous history and the distorted version of education imposed by colonial powers.
The minister navigated the murky waters of the country’s education system’s devastation during the 11-year war, emphasising Sierra Leone’s imperative to reclaim its rightful place in the world through advocacy.
He lamented the fragility of education over the years, leaving a population susceptible to manipulation by misguided individuals residing abroad. Minister Bah then eloquently highlighted the silver lining on the horizon, centered on President Bio’s vision to restore the broken educational systems in our country.
Expounding on President Bio’s commitment, he discussed the allocation of 22% of the national budget to education, the implementation of free quality education, STEM programs, and radical inclusion.
In conclusion, he implored the gathering to draw valuable lessons from Sierra Leone’s journey.
