BY: PRECIOUS MIRACLE KARGBO
In a move to bolster Sierra Leone’s decentralization efforts, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, convened a meeting at the Freetown City Hall on August 10, 2024.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, focused on discussing the draft Fiscal Decentralization Policy and taking concrete actions to support the capacity of councils across the country to mobilize resources and deliver effective services to citizens.
“Following last week’s meeting in Bo, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh continued his duty as the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance with a meeting at the City Hall in Freetown this morning,” the Vice President’s office stated.
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr hosted the high-level gathering, underscoring the crucial role of local government in the decentralization process.
“We discussed the draft Fiscal Decentralization Policy, and took concrete actions to support the capacity of councils across Sierra Leone to mobilize resources and deliver effective services,” the statement added.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture as Sierra Leone pushes forward with its decentralization agenda, aimed at empowering local authorities and bringing government closer to the people.
Vice President Jalloh, who has been leading the charge on this initiative, emphasized the importance of strengthening the financial autonomy and resource mobilization capabilities of municipal and district councils.
“Thank you Mayor Aki Sawyerr for hosting us,” the Vice President’s office said, underscoring the collaborative nature of the discussions and the commitment to working closely with local government leaders.
In Addendum, the outcome of this meeting is expected to contribute to the refinement of the Fiscal Decentralization Policy and the implementation of targeted capacity-building programs for councils across Sierra Leone.
