By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Freetown, 21st August 2026- The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has called for deeper cooperation between Africa and China in the media and audiovisual sector, stressing the need to invest not only in technology and infrastructure, but also in people, institutions and professional capacity.
Minister Bah made the call while representing Sierra Leone at the 7th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Radio, Television and Audiovisual Services, held in China under the theme, “Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audiovisual Future” on the 20th August 2026.
Addressing Ministers, government representatives and stakeholders from across Africa and China, Minister Chernor Bah described the theme as timely, noting that the future of media and audiovisual communication would be shaped not only by technological advancement but also by the quality of communication, the strength of media institutions, the responsible use of emerging technologies and the ability of Africans to tell their own stories.
Minister Bah further said, Sierra Leone considers access to credible information an important component of national development, particularly under His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s human capital development agenda.
He explained that the transformation of the former Ministry of Information into the Ministry of Information and Civic Education reflects the Government’s recognition that citizens require not only information, but also the knowledge and civic awareness needed to participate meaningfully in national development.
According to Minister Bah, strong, professional and trusted media institutions are essential for creating informed citizens, promoting accountable governance and supporting national development.
He further emphasised that investing in people must include ensuring access to credible information, opportunities for participation and digital tools that enable citizens to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Additionally, Minister Bah highlighted Africa’s youthful population as one of the continent’s greatest opportunities, noting that young Africans are already playing important roles as journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital content creators and technology innovators.
He said, young Africans are developing digital media platforms, producing films and documentaries and creating artificial intelligence applications that are changing the way the continent is perceived globally.
“Our responsibility is to give them the tools, skills, institutions and opportunities to succeed,” he said.
Minister Bah identified Africa-China cooperation as an important avenue through which these opportunities could be expanded, particularly in strengthening media institutions and developing the continent’s creative industries.
Speaking of opportunities, Minister Bah outlined several areas where Sierra Leone sees opportunities for stronger cooperation with China, including the modernisation of broadcasting and audiovisual infrastructure, strengthening public broadcasting, professional exchanges and capacity building.
He also called for greater opportunities for journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, producers and digital media professionals to benefit from training and professional exchanges between Sierra Leone, China and other African countries. To support the production of more films, documentaries and creative content that would allow African stories to reach Chinese audiences, while Chinese stories could reach African audiences.
Another important area discussed was the growing trend of Artificial Intelligence(AI). Minister Bah noted that AI technology is already transforming journalism, broadcasting, translation, education and content production. He said AI could create new opportunities to preserve African languages, expand access to information and enable young creators and journalists in Sierra Leone to reach audiences in China and around the world.
However, he cautioned that technological innovation must be accompanied by responsibility, particularly because the same technologies that can educate and inform millions can also be used to spread misinformation on a massive scale.
“The challenge, therefore, is not simply whether we embrace AI. It is whether we govern it wisely,” he stated.
Minister Bah called for Africa and China to explore cooperation in responsible AI, media innovation, research, skills development and policy frameworks that ensure technology promotes truth, inclusion and human creativity.
In conclusion, Minister Chernor Bah stressed that Africa must move beyond being a consumer of global technologies and media content and instead play a greater role in shaping the technologies and narratives of the future. He argued that Africa should not remain merely the subject of stories produced by others, but must tell its own stories with authenticity, excellence and confidence. He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to work with China and other African partners to develop a media and audiovisual sector that informs citizens, strengthens institutions, empowers young people, celebrates African cultures and contributes to shared prosperity.
“Together, let us not simply watch the future unfold. Let us inform it, tell it, and shape it,” the Minister told the Forum.
