By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Freetown City Council (FCC) has successfully concluded a dynamic two-day workshop aimed at tackling critical urban challenges related to informality and waste management. The initiative aligns with the city’s Sanitation Policy and the newly enacted Sanitation Byelaws, reinforcing FCC’s ongoing commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Freetown.
The workshop coincided with the official launch of the *Freetown Operation “Dorti Must Go” campaigna bold city-wide sanitation drive championed by Her Worship, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. This campaign reflects the Council’s strategic push for transformative urban sanitation practices under the Mayor’s visionary leadership.
The event convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from FCC and the Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), technical staff from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society partners such as FEDURP and CODOSAHPA, waste service providers, and international NGOs including GOAL-SL, CRS, and Concern Worldwide. UrbanShift experts also played a key role in facilitating the sessions.
Participants engaged in interactive discussions and strategic planning focused on strengthening waste management systems and promoting inclusive urban development that considers the unique needs of informal settlements. Key topics included reducing waste pollution, enhancing regulatory compliance, and supporting community-based sanitation solutions.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s leadership was widely acknowledged as a driving force behind the success of both the workshop and the broader sanitation agenda. Her advocacy for effective urban governance and environmental responsibility has been instrumental in key reforms, including the introduction of the Sanitation Byelaws, which aim to institutionalize responsible waste practices and improve public health across the city.
The workshop concluded with impactful field visits to the Kingtom Faecal Sludge Plant and the Cockle Bay Community. These site visits provided participants with firsthand insight into Freetown’s complex sanitation challenges, helping to ground policy discussions in real-world contexts and ensuring proposed interventions are both practical and sustainable.
Among the key issues highlighted was the urgent need to identify a new dumpsite for the Western Area (Urban and Rural), as the existing facility nears capacity. Participants also emphasized the ongoing challenge of achieving behavior change at the community level. It was noted that without a suitable waste disposal alternative and stronger public compliance with sanitation regulations, long-term sustainability will remain elusive.
This collaborative effort is expected to significantly strengthen Freetown’s urban governance and waste management frameworks, while contributing to broader goals of urban resilience and inclusive development. FCC reaffirms its commitment to transforming Freetown into a more liveable, forward-looking city that meets the needs of all its residents.