By: Abu H. Kargbo
The Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD), through the Irish Aid Civil Society Project (ICSP) funded by Trócaire, has strengthened efforts to promote accountability and transparency at the local government level with an accountability dialogue session held at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) Hall in Makeni on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
The session provided a platform for citizens to engage directly with duty-bearers on key issues, including the implementation of development plans, project financing, and challenges affecting effective service delivery within local councils.
Speaking during the engagement, WOFHRAD’s Chief Project Officer, Kemoh Mansaray, explained that the initiative was not intended to target or undermine local authorities but rather to encourage collaboration and improve development outcomes in Makeni and Bombali District.
“It is never a witch-hunt or an act of sabotage; rather, it is aimed at contributing to the development of the city and the district,” Mansaray stated.
He disclosed that WOFHRAD has engaged a consultant to develop a framework for tracking the activities, performance, and progress of local councils as part of efforts to strengthen accountability mechanisms at the grassroots level.
According to Mansaray, the framework will serve as a roadmap for monitoring council activities and will be made accessible to the public to promote openness and citizens’ participation in local governance.
He further revealed that the accountability dialogue would be followed by a series of engagements with various sectors and leadership structures of both the Makeni City Council and the Bombali District Council in the coming weeks.
Mansaray encouraged the leadership of the two councils to fully embrace the initiative, noting that it would help reduce the pressure of documenting their activities while providing an opportunity to highlight achievements and build stronger relationships with citizens and development partners.
Elizabeth Amie Kamara, a member of the Bombali District Women in Leadership Network, praised WOFHRAD for creating a platform that bridges the communication gap between local councils and community members.
She noted that the initiative has the potential to improve service delivery, particularly if the recommendations and discussions from the engagement are effectively implemented.
Kamara called on the Makeni City Council and Bombali District Council to adopt similar accountability platforms by regularly engaging communities, promoting transparency, and encouraging inclusive and participatory local governance.
She emphasized that consistent dialogue between citizens and local authorities would strengthen public trust and contribute to more effective development planning and service delivery.