September 4, 2026 – Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commenced the second leg of the Government’s Regional Decentralization Tour on September 4, 2026, engaging local leaders in Makeni and Port Loko. The Vice President stated the initiative aims to bring governance closer to citizens. "A Government closer to the people is a Government that works," Dr. Jalloh said, showing the administration's commitment to responsive governance. He emphasized his intention to interact directly with traditional, district, and local council leaders to ensure national policy effectively delivers local impact across Sierra Leone. Dr. Jalloh described the tour as a learning process, noting its consultative nature. "This is not a meeting where we come to tell you what to do," he explained, adding, "We are here to listen to the challenges of local governance." This approach aims to gather firsthand insights from those on the ground.
Engagements and Objectives
The decentralization tour, led by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, is scheduled to visit Makeni and Port Loko this weekend, according to officials. These critical engagements aim to facilitate direct interaction between the central Government and various local entities. The sessions are designed to bring officials face-to-face with traditional authorities, district representatives, local council leaders, and other key stakeholders within these regions. The primary objective is to foster a direct dialogue on governance matters and local challenges, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered in national policy formulation. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has previously emphasized the importance of these direct interactions in understanding local needs and ensuring national policies are effectively implemented at the community level. The tour's format prioritizes listening to local voices over dictating policy, reflecting a bottom-up approach to governance.
Previous Consultations and Progress
The Makeni and Port Loko engagements build upon the initial phase of the government's regional consultations, which took place in Kenema and Bo on August 14 and 15, 2026. These earlier consultations marked a significant step in the decentralization agenda. During these inaugural consultations, Regional Coordination Committees were officially inaugurated, establishing a formal structure for inter-governmental collaboration. This initiative aims to establish a structured approach for local governance bodies to collaborate effectively with the central government, enhancing synergy and coordination. The establishment of these committees is seen as key for streamlining communication and implementation of development initiatives across different administrative levels.
VP's Vision for Local Governance
Decentralization remains central to efforts to bring decision-making closer to citizens in Sierra Leone, according to officials. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization, emphasized this vision as a cornerstone of good governance. He reiterated his belief, stating, "A Government closer to the people is a Government that works." The Vice President outlined his approach for this initiative, noting, "I’ll be engaging directly with traditional, district and local council leaders to ensure national policy delivers local impact." Dr. Jalloh described the process as a learning experience, not a directive, further stressing the participatory nature of the tour. "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," he explained, noting the government’s commitment to understanding and addressing local concerns.
Broader Impact and Goals
The nationwide initiative is specifically designed to examine longstanding challenges impacting Sierra Leone’s decentralization program. These critical issues include inadequate financing for local councils, persistent institutional capacity issues within local governance structures, coordination challenges between central and local authorities, concerns regarding effective revenue mobilization at the local level, and the incomplete transfer of responsibilities to local councils. By directly engaging with local leaders and stakeholders, the government aims to identify practical solutions and strengthen the decentralization framework for improved service delivery and local development.
