A local non-governmental organization, Women and Children Advocacy Network Sierra Leone (WoCAN-SL), in collaboration with the Lower Bambara Youth Coalition, has started a baseline survey on violence among youths in the Kenema district with reference to the forthcoming elections.

It could be recalled that in 2010 Tongo Fields and its environs experienced serious political tensions and almost all of the by-elections conducted in the area had resulted into conflict situation.

Programme officer of WoCAN-SL, Abdul Steven Swarray, said the survey is targeting youth groups, political parties, the Sierra Leone police, bike riders, the drivers union among others in the Lower Bambara, Simbaru and Small Bo chiefdoms so as to be fully abreast with some of the problems facing those communities and how they could be addressed ahead of the elections.

He said the focus of the survey is also to ensure that youths, especially women politicians, become self-reliant and determined enough to contest the forthcoming polls.

"This organization was formed in 2002 to promote the rights of vulnerable youths, women and children," explained the WoCAN-SL programme officer. "We have undertaken series of activities to enhance our youths to contribute to national development. The survey is crucial to the positive outcome of the 2012 November elections."