The Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy in Sierra Leone (NCD-SL), Dr. Abubakarr Kargbo and some senior management staff of the commission have paid a working visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Alie Kabba at his Tower Hill office in Freetown.

The aim of the visit according to Commissioner Dr. Abubakarr Kargbo was to congratulate the Minister on his appointment as Foreign Minister and to acquaint him with NCD’s mandate, programmes and activities with a view to enhancing mutual collaboration between the two government bodies.

Commissioner Kargbo expressed delight in the New Direction’s quest in promoting civic education to create the enabling environment where the citizenry will be properly educated on democratic good governance thus producing well informed people. This he said, falls within the mandate of NCD. The Commissioner underscored the significance of mutual collaboration with the Foreign Ministry noting that it will serve as a source or channel for marketing and promoting partnerships with external benefactors.   Dr. Abubakarr Kargbo highlighted some of the programmes and activities undertaken by NCD, key among which is the development of the National Civic Education Curriculum for basic education in schools. Cognizant of their mandate to organize programmes at national, regional and district levels aimed at realizing the objectives of the constitution and to promote democracy and good governance, Dr. Kargbo disclosed that NCD will organise a mini conference on National Cohesion in July this year. ‘I wish to extend our hearty invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to grace this occasion’, he concluded.

Dr. Alie Kabba in his brief remarks thanked the Commissioner and staff for the recognition of his Ministry as a key player in enhancing the commission’s mandate which is in line with the foreign policy projection of his Ministry in its commitment to foster democracy and good governance.

The Minister assured the NCD Commissioner and staff of his ministry’s commitment to work with the commission with a view to enhancing the cultivation of a sense of nationalism, patriotism and loyalty to the state in every citizen which he said is in line with the New Direction. ‘We will continue to have regular engagements with your commission to enhance civic education’, he concluded.

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Commissioner Southern Region, Mrs. Marian A. Samu.

Present were Directors from the various Divisions in the Ministry and a cross section of senior staff from NCD.