Freetown, 28 April 2025.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) has hosted the first-ever National Symposium on Reclaiming the Significance of April 27, Independence Day, at the prestigious Julius Maada Bio Parade Square, Wilberforce Barracks.
The landmark event brought together citizens from all walks of life to commemorate Sierra Leone’s Independence and to showcase the nation’s rich history and cultural heritage. In attendance were Paramount Chiefs, religious leaders, policymakers, civil society groups, youth and women’s organizations, student bodies, the media, and members of the diplomatic corps, all gathered to celebrate the spirit of unity and national cohesion.
In his opening statement, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, emphasized the need for collective national pride under the rallying call “Salone Big Pass Wi All”. He stated that only through unity can true development be achieved. Minister Bah highlighted the symposium as a historic first, aimed at reclaiming the true history of Sierra Leone’s journey to independence. He reflected on the resistance of Bai Bureh, who on April 27, 1898, led a bold struggle against colonial repression. Minister Bah asserted that the 1961 Independence movement drew inspiration from Bai Bureh’s resistance and the collective support of paramount chiefs across the country.
Delivering the opening reflection, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, spoke on Sierra Leone’s post-independence economic strength, the governance challenges that followed, and the devastating impact of the civil war. She noted that Sierra Leone has become a global example of peacebuilding. “To build the nation we all desire, we must unite and foster collaboration among MDAs, while attracting private sector investment to drive economic development,” she urged.
A highlight of the symposium was an insightful historical session featuring Prof. Joe A.D. Alie, the Commissioner of the Monuments and Relics Commission, Joseph Keifala, and Madame Isatu Thorlu Bangura, daughter of Independence hero Paramount Chief Bai Farama Tass. The panel shared in-depth presentations on the country’s path to independence, recounting the 1898 resistance and the collective national effort that led to freedom from British rule in 1961.
In his closing reflection, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, described Independence as “a means to an end, not an end in itself.” He emphasized that the celebration of Independence reflects the ongoing journey of nation-building, where citizens now own the power to shape the country’s future, unlike the colonial era.
Dr. Jalloh highlighted key steps taken by the government to promote peace and national cohesion, including the establishment of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion—a strategic move to build an inclusive and unified nation-state.
The symposium concluded with vibrant cultural and musical performances, showcasing classic Sierra Leonean songs that celebrate unity and patriotism, capping off a day of deep reflection, renewed hope, and national pride.
