By Abu H. Kargbo
The crucial call for responsible social media usage was made during a one-day town hall dialogue and inter-party youth forum organized by ActionAid Global Platform Sierra Leone on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Pastoral Centre in Makeni.
The event is a key part of the IGNITE Fund project titled “Empowering Young People for Democratic Stability Through Youth-Led Civic Action to Prevent Disinformation and Promote Peaceful Elections in 2028.”
In her remarks, Patricia Sesay, Assistant District Manager (ADM) at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) Bombali, emphasized their commitment to promoting sustainable democracy in Sierra Leone through free, fair, and transparent elections.
“The peace of any country is threatened when citizens have strong reservations about the electioneering process,” she noted.
Sesay highlighted that the ECSL’s efforts to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Sierra Leone’s modern democracy are undermined by several factors, primarily the rapid spread of disinformation and misinformation.
“Our independence and credibility were significantly threatened by disinformation and misinformation during the previous 2023 elections,” she stated.
Sesay explained that disinformation and misinformation also posed serious threats to the lives of several ECSL officials during the previous elections.
“Some of our personnel were attacked, beaten, and sustained injuries due to the spread of disinformation and misinformation,” she added.
She praised ActionAid Global Platform Sierra Leone for hosting such a timely town hall dialogue that brought together one hundred young participants, emphasizing its significant role in promoting non-violence, democratic participation, and responsible information sharing ahead of the 2028 elections.
“Disinformation and misinformation now threaten the right to life and the peaceful coexistence of our communities,” she cautioned.
Patricia Sesay urged participants of the town hall dialogue to utilize social media to combat this growing menace by sharing accurate and credible information that supports national development.
“Let’s transform the social media space from one of disinformation and misinformation into a platform for creating social change and empowering ourselves,” she urged.
The town hall dialogue aimed to prevent tensions and violence during elections, as noted in the findings of the 2024 Tripartite Committee report, which highlighted issues prevalent during the 2023 elections.