Activists & Journalists Pledge to Champion Minority Issues

The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Minority Rights Group International and with support from the European Union, successfully concluded a three-day retreat. The retreat aimed to educate and empower activists and journalists in Sierra Leone to effectively advocate for and report on Minority Rights Issues (MRI).

Held at the Dohas conference hall in Bo, Sierra Leone, the intensive three-day retreat concluded on Wednesday, September 13. It brought together acti

vists and journalists from Sierra Leone, with a specific focus on educating them about minority rights issues.

Participants in the retreat made a collective commitment to promote Minority Rights Issues (MRI) in Sierra Leone. The primary objective was to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for and report on minority issues effectively.

The participants expressed their appreciation for the knowledge and skills acquired during the retreat. Journalists, in particular, shared that they now felt confident to explore minority communities and report on their stories.

Kadiatu Jalloh, the Station Manager of Sky Radio, acknowledged that journalists and activists have historically underreported minority issues. She extended her gratitude to the organizers for providing this invaluable opportunity for Sierra Leonean media professionals.

Other participants, including child rights activist Esther Tholley, pledged to integrate minority issues into their daily advocacy efforts. They emphasized the importance of working collaboratively as a team to promote minority interests and prevent conflicts through their reporting.

The retreat featured two facilitators: Mr. Victor Massaquoi, a communications, social, and governance expert with a Ph.D., and Madam Mary Antoinette Elogoma Bockarie, a psychologist and lecturer. They covered various topics, including an overview of conflicts in Sierra Leone, understanding minority communities and their connections to conflicts, and effective engagement with media platforms to share stories from minority groups.

Additionally, the retreat included media skills-building exercises designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of reporting and advocacy on minority rights issues in Sierra Leonean communities.

Francis Sowa, MRCG's National Coordinator, expressed hope that the participants would utilize the knowledge gained to enhance their reporting skills and inspire their colleagues to investigate and share stories from minority communities.

The retreat concluded with a field trip to the Bush Garden and Riverside Amusement and Recreation Parks in Bo City, offering participants an opportunity for relaxation and team bonding.

Overall, the retreat aimed to empower activists and journalists to become more effective advocates for minority rights in Sierra Leone and to shed light on the issues affecting minority communities through their reporting.