On June 4, 2024, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, the Chairman of the National Political Debates Committee (NPDC) in Sierra Leone and President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), engaged with key political debate actors from Kenya during a USAID conference focused on digital threats to democracy.

Nasralla met with Linus Kaikai, the Group Editorial Director of Royal Media Services Limited, which owns the prominent Citizen media in Kenya. Kaikai, a critical journalist and a significant figure in organizing political debates in Kenya, was a key participant in these discussions. Nasralla was also accompanied by Mercelline Maroma, a debate specialist from Kenya, and Mustapha Dumbuya, Deputy Director for African Programs at Journalists for Human Rights in Kenya.

The discussions covered a broad range of topics concerning the future of political debates in Africa. Both parties shared experiences in organizing political debates in their respective countries, addressing successes, challenges, and opportunities. They also emphasized the need for collaboration to foster a culture of debates within the political landscape of their countries and across Africa. This collaboration aims to strengthen democratic processes by promoting informed decision-making among the populace.

The NPDC, registered as a non-profit organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on January 22, 2021, comprises 11 institutions, including the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the Electoral Management Bodies (EMB), SLAJ, Independent Radio Network (IRN), Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Africa Young Voices (AYV), Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI), the 50/50 Group, Children's and Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN), and the National Association of Law Development Agencies (NaLDA). These institutions collaborate to organize national debates that enhance democratic engagement and enable Sierra Leoneans to make informed electoral choices.

Nasralla's engagement at the USAID conference underscores the NPDC's commitment to strengthening the role of political debates in democratic processes. By learning from the experiences of their Kenyan counterparts and exploring avenues for mutual support, the NPDC aims to improve the quality and impact of political debates in Sierra Leone. This initiative reflects a broader effort to build a more informed and engaged electorate, essential for the health and vibrancy of Sierra Leone's democracy.