Sierra Leone

Communications

Project Background

Following the restoration of civil order after the conflict which ended in 2001, efforts to rebuild the governance structure of the country were set in motion. One of the outcomes of the crisis was the destruction of basic infrastructure including that of the public information systems. In addition, many of the trained and experienced communication practitioners left the country for safety and greener pastures, depleting the human resources capacity of government to communicate effectively, its development programmes and reach out to its numerous constituencies. Arguably, a strong communications and public information capacity offers much-needed clarity and coherence for the implementation of national programs and projects.

The Government of Sierra Leone acknowledged the ineffectiveness of the public information machinery in communicating government policies, strategies and programmes to improve awareness, acceptability, transparency and accountability at all levels. The situation had resulted in the misinformation and misunderstanding of government intentions and actions and a disconnection on the population.

A free-flow of communication is critical to building confidence and consolidating peace dividends of post-conflict interventions. Absence of effective and clear communication alienates the population and reverses the positive reconstruction and reconciliation efforts. In addition, it undermines the fragile security situation.

The project, ‘Strengthening Public Information Systems’, aims to strengthen national capacity for long-term effective dissemination of public information for sustainable human development. The project will assist in building a sustainable system for public information management, which will contribute to improving citizens’ access to information and flow of information; both are vital for open democratic society.

Project Objectives

The objectives of a communications plan for GoSL will respond to the key issues outlined, and provide solutions that will help manage expectations of key constituencies and foster teamwork between GoSL and the national media corps as development partners. The strategic objectives of this strategy is to promote transparency of Government activities.

Project Outcome

The following are identified outcomes of the project:

• Developing a well informed citizenry of Sierra Leone

• Public information sector improved for efficient and effective communications delivery
• Improving the professionalism and journalistic integrity of the national independent media corps
• Augmenting national capacity and efficiency in disseminating public information that contributes to strategic development initiatives and the achievement of the MDGs

Links with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

A radio programme, ‘Development Dialogue’ was designed to support the Poverty Reduction Strategy, targeting MDG1, reducing poverty.