Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh announced a two-week regional tour, starting today, to engage with stakeholders on decentralization and local governance. The Vice President will visit the regional headquarter towns of Kenema, Bo, Makeni, and Port Loko. Dr. Jalloh stated, "Over the next two weeks, I will be visiting our regional headquarter towns to engage with Critical Chiefs, Local Councils, Heads of MDAs, and other key stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges facing decentralization and local governance in Sierra Leone." He added, "I look forward to listening, learning, and working together to identify practical solutions that strengthen coordination, improve service delivery, and bring government closer to the people." Dr. Jalloh emphasized that "Strong local governance is essential to building a more accountable, responsive, and inclusive Sierra Leone."
Tour Objectives and Itinerary
The Vice President's tour is designed to strengthen decentralization efforts across Sierra Leone. A key objective of the initiative is to improve public-service delivery to citizens in various regions. Additionally, the tour seeks to deepen cooperation between central and local government institutions, fostering a more collaborative approach to governance. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh's engagements with local councils, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders are expected to facilitate discussions on practical solutions for these aims. The two-week itinerary includes visits to Kenema, Bo, Makeni, and Port Loko, allowing for direct interaction with diverse groups involved in local administration. This direct engagement is intended to identify specific challenges and opportunities within each area, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing local governance structures.
Context of Decentralization in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone revived its decentralization process in 2004, marking a significant step in its governance structure. The Local Government Act, enacted in the same year, provided the legislative framework for this renewed focus on local administration. This legislation aimed to devolve power and resources from the central government to local authorities, enhancing local participation and service delivery across the nation. The country operates with 190 chiefdoms, which serve as traditional administrative units within the broader decentralized system. These chiefdoms play a role in local governance alongside the statutory local councils established under the 2004 act. The framework supports localized decision-making and community engagement in development initiatives.
Vice President's Vision for Local Governance
The Vice President is scheduled to hold consultations with a wide array of stakeholders, including Critical Chiefs, local councils, and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). These engagements are intended to address opportunities and challenges in decentralization and local governance. The discussions aim to identify practical solutions for strengthening coordination and improving service delivery. Further solidifying the legal structure for devolution, the Local Government Act of 2022 was enacted. This legislation expanded upon previous frameworks, providing a more strong foundation for the distribution of powers and responsibilities to local authorities. The Vice President's tour is designed to align local efforts with these enhanced legal provisions.
Anticipated Outcomes and Cooperation
The Vice President's engagements will center on identifying both the opportunities and challenges currently affecting decentralization and local governance. These discussions are intended to foster a deeper understanding of the practical implementation of devolved powers. Sierra Leone currently operates with 22 local councils responsible for local administration and service delivery. The tour aims to strengthen cooperation between these councils, traditional authorities, and central government ministries, departments, and agencies. By addressing specific issues and collaborative strategies, the initiative seeks to enhance the effectiveness of local governance structures across the country.