LocationsECSL Opens New Media Centre to strengthen democracy, with support from UNDP and partners
June 4, 2025
From the extreme left, Kjartan Atli Oskarsson, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland, Hon. Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh and Fredrick Hans Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined the Government of Sierra Leone and partners in the inauguration of the Media Centre at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) headquarters in Freetown. The establishment of the Centre was made possible through the partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and UNDP, with generous support from the Governments of Ireland, the Government of Canada, the Government of Iceland, the European Union and UNDP. The Government of Sierra Leone provided 52 percent of the total financial contributions for the Centre, with UNDP and donor partners covering the remaining 48 percent.
The Media Centre is envisioned as a permanent space for promoting inclusive civic education, media engagement, and public dialogue, with a special focus on engaging young voters and rural communities. It also comes equipped with solar power technology, ensuring uninterrupted operations, office furniture and ICT equipment for promoting virtual communication with ECSL district offices and external stakeholders including media.
Fredrick Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative of Sierra Leone speaking at the event.
Speaking at the event, Fredrick Hans Ampiah, UNDP Resident Representative, described the Centre as a turning point for democratic innovation in the country.
“This Media Centre, a beacon of progress, sparks innovation for a stronger democracy,” he said. “Imagine interactive platforms delivering voter guides in local languages or virtual town halls connecting Freetown’s markets to remote villages and ECSL experts. This Centre will bring these innovations to life , amplifying every voice and ensuring no one is left behind.
The Centre is part of the broader UNDP-supported Elections Project, which has contributed to strengthening electoral awareness, civic participation, and information integrity across Sierra Leone.
Hon. Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education speaking at the event
Hon. Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, emphasized the Centre’s role in the fight against misinformation and in advancing public trust.
“ECSL's Media Centre stands as a powerful tool to combat misinformation and engage Sierra Leoneans with truth,” he said. “By fostering public education and media collaboration, it sets a bold standard for a stronger democracy.”
The Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, described the Centre as a critical milestone in the Commission’s journey to enhance transparency and civic inclusion.
“We now have a permanent hub for media and public engagement,” he said. “This will build the trust, promote democracy and support in combating mis and disinformation.”
Mohamed Kenewui Konneh , Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone
The Centre will support ECSL in producing multimedia voter education content, organizing media briefings and training, and facilitate real-time public engagement. It also aligns with the Commission’s commitment to expanding civic education nationwide, including to first-time voters and marginalized communities.
Representing the donor community, Kjartan Atli Oskarsson, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland, reaffirmed continued international support for democratic development in Sierra Leone.
“All this work is impressive and we are happy this facility can be used for civic and voter education here and in the districts,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with a guided tour of the newly commissioned facility, led by the ECSL media center consultant, giving guests a firsthand look at the centre’s modern infrastructure and its functionality.
UNDP has long supported electoral processes globally and in Sierra Leone, working closely with ECSL and other stakeholders to build inclusive institutions. With the Centre now operational, a UN-led Needs Assessment Mission will be deployed in June 2025 to define new parameters of UN technical electoral assistance in Sierra Leone and re-new the UNDP Elections Project directions to support the strengthening of the ECSL operational systems for the 2025-2029 electoral cycle.
The event brought together representatives from government, political parties, civil society, the media, donor partners, and the United Nations system, all united by a shared goal: to strengthen democratic participation and ensure every citizen has access to accurate, timely information.
UNDP’s Elections Project “Fostering Peaceful, Credible, and Inclusive Elections in Sierra Leone 2022-2023” is administered thanks to generous contributions from the Government of Ireland, the Government of Canada, the Government of Iceland, the European Union UNDP, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
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