Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh initiated the regional phase of consultations on decentralisation in Kenema on Friday, August 14, 2026. This significant event marked the formal commencement of a series of engagements aimed at strengthening local governance across Sierra Leone. Dr. Jalloh, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralisation, launched the discussions aimed at gathering local input on governance challenges. The Vice President emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, stating, "This is not a meeting where we come to tell you what to do. It is a learning process. We are here to listen to the challenges of local governance." The consultations represent a key step in understanding and addressing issues faced by local administrations across Sierra Leone, ensuring that the voices from the grassroots inform national policy.
Consultations Underway
The consultations on decentralisation moved to Bo City on Saturday, August 15, 2026, continuing the regional engagement process. These discussions gather a wide range of stakeholders, reflecting the full approach to the decentralisation agenda. Participants include Critical Chiefs, representatives from local councils, various Ministers, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, and key sector representatives. This broad participation shows the government's commitment to inclusive dialogue. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh had previously held a dinner and listening session with Critical Chiefs in Kenema District on Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of the formal consultations. This preliminary engagement allowed for informal discussions and relationship building before the main sessions began.
During the Kenema engagement, a Regional Coordination Committee was inaugurated. This committee is expected to play a key role in overseeing the implementation of decentralisation policies and ensuring sustained coordination at the regional level. A similar major component of the Bo engagement was the inauguration of the Regional Coordination Committee for the Southern Region. The establishment of these committees notes the government's intention to create strong structures for ongoing decentralisation efforts. The Vice President has emphasized the participatory nature of these sessions, stating earlier that the process is "not a meeting where we come to tell you what to do. It is a learning process. We are here to listen to the challenges of local governance." The ongoing consultations aim to solicit direct input from local administrations and community leaders to inform future decentralisation policies, ensuring they are practical and responsive to local needs.
Key Objectives and Reforms
The ongoing consultations are designed to identify specific challenges impacting decentralisation and to pinpoint necessary reforms that would enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of local governance to citizens. The government's objective for these discussions is to determine practical reforms aimed at strengthening local institutions. These intended reforms seek to ensure local bodies are more effective, adequately financed, and responsive to community needs. The consultations aim to foster a deeper understanding of the institutional, financial, and human resource constraints faced by local councils and other sub-national entities. By gathering direct feedback, the government hopes to craft policies that empower local authorities to deliver essential services more efficiently and transparently.
In Bo, a significant portion of the consultation focused on broader national reforms and an examination of their potential implications for local governance structures. This focus showed the interconnectedness between national policy direction and local administrative capacity, recognizing that successful decentralisation requires alignment across all levels of government. The discussions delved into how national legislative changes, fiscal policies, and administrative frameworks could either support or hinder the effectiveness of local governance. The Government hopes to identify practical reforms that will make local institutions more effective, adequately financed, and responsive. This includes exploring mechanisms for improved revenue generation at the local level and ensuring equitable distribution of national resources to support local development initiatives.
Voices and Support
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Moi Jamiru, called for increased investment in local councils and stronger institutional capacity. Jamiru stated, "We must strengthen the capacity of our councils." He elaborated on the need for better training for local government officials, improved infrastructure for council operations, and enhanced technical support to enable councils to fulfill their mandates effectively. Dr. Falla D. Lamin, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, also emphasized the importance of capable personnel, effective coordination, and stronger institutions for successful decentralisation. Dr. Lamin noted that human capital development is critical, stressing that well-trained and motivated staff are essential for the efficient functioning of local government. He also pointed out that strong coordination mechanisms between different government tiers and agencies are critical to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure integrated development.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh acknowledged the World Bank's support for Sierra Leone's decentralisation agenda during the consultations. This international partnership provides key financial and technical assistance, showing the global recognition of Sierra Leone's commitment to strengthening local governance. Dr. Jalloh previously stated that the process is "not a meeting where we come to tell you what to do. It is a learning process. We are here to listen to the challenges of local governance." The Vice President's remarks showed the collaborative approach to gathering feedback from local stakeholders, ensuring that the reform process is genuinely bottom-up and addresses the specific needs and aspirations of communities across the country.
Future Engagements
Following the consultations in the Eastern and Southern regions, engagements are expected to continue in the Northern and North-Eastern parts of Sierra Leone. These future sessions will extend the government's efforts to gather local input on decentralisation challenges from a broader range of communities, ensuring that no region is left out of this key dialogue. The full nature of these consultations is designed to capture the unique perspectives and challenges faced by diverse populations within Sierra Leone. The ongoing process aims to ensure full feedback for strengthening local governance, ultimately leading to more effective, accountable, and responsive local administrations nationwide. The insights gained from these regional dialogues will be instrumental in shaping a national decentralisation strategy that is both inclusive and sustainable.