AN INFORMED SOCIETY

SEPTIMUS M. KAIKAI Minister of Information and Broadcasting

In a country that is committed to democracy, and especially one that has been divided by civil war, it is essential that people have the information they need to make decisions.
“We believe that accountability and transparency are the cornerstones of democracy,” says Minister of Information and Broadcasting Septimus M. Kaikai.

His ministry plays a crucial role in providing information on the activities of the government. Professor Kaikai affirms its mission is “to educate, inform and entertain” the Sierra Leonean public. “We want to make information available to the people as fast and efficiently as possible,” he declares.

Providing information to local communities is in line with the government’s commitment to decentralization. Provincial areas are being kept in touch with events thanks to an increase in the number of community radio stations.

“We have extended radio services to significant areas in the country,” says the Minister. “Outside of Freetown, we have a community radio station in Makeni in the north, another at Bo in the south, and in all the districts in the east.”

Recently, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS/TV), the ministry acquired a modern outdoor mobile broadcasting unit and new sets of audio-visual equipment. This will provide residents of remote villages and towns with news and other forms of information previously accessible mainly to owners of radio, television, and satellite sets in Freetown and the other major towns.

Simultaneously, the ministry is working to project a positive image of Sierra Leone outside the country. Government websites are being developed and information prepared for potential investors.
“We want them to know what has been achieved in the last few years,” explains Professor Kaikai.