Makeni to Host 2026 Presidential Town Hall in June
By Aminata Kamara
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has announced Makeni as the host city for the 2026 Annual National Presidential Town Hall, scheduled for June.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, during the Ministry’s Staff Retreat held on Bonthe Island in the Southern Region.
The Presidential Town Hall is a flagship civic engagement initiative aimed at strengthening direct interaction between the Presidency and citizens, providing a national platform for dialogue on governance and development issues. Since its launch, the programme has expanded beyond the capital to reach communities across the country.
The inaugural Presidential Town Hall was held in Freetown in 2024, where President Dr. Julius Maada Bio personally engaged citizens and responded to questions on key national priorities. In 2025, the forum was hosted in Kenema, with more than 25 Cabinet Ministers representing the President. That engagement addressed approximately 50 questions on critical national issues.
According to Minister Bah, the decision to host the 2026 Town Hall in Makeni underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and citizen participation, particularly in ensuring that voices from all regions are represented in national conversations.
He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bio’s “Year of Action” agenda, which emphasizes accountability, service delivery, and stronger communication between government and citizens.
Minister Bah further disclosed that the Ministry will continue implementing the Civic Day Series in the remaining districts nationwide, as well as in the diaspora. He also announced plans for a National Civic Festival slated for December, with the official date to be communicated later.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education reaffirmed its commitment to providing accurate, timely, and accessible information, describing effective communication as essential to closing information gaps and strengthening public trust in governance processes.
