By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning has commenced a three-day legal review workshop on the Draft Country Planning Regulations at Companero Resort in Bureh.
The workshop, which runs from 3–5 September 2026, brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, local councils, the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP) and other relevant institutions.
The exercise seeks to critically review and validate the Draft Regulations to ensure they are fully aligned with the National Country Planning Act, 2025, while establishing the legal and institutional framework needed for the effective administration and implementation of country planning across Sierra Leone.
The workshop was chaired by the Ministry’s Senior Assistant Secretary, Ibrahim S. Kamara, who described the development of the Regulations as a crucial step towards giving practical effect to the National Country Planning Act, 2025.
He explained that the Regulations would provide detailed procedures and establish the framework required to effectively implement the Act.
SAS Kamara also highlighted the Ministry’s preparations to devolve selected country planning functions to local councils. He said the Ministry plans to train local council personnel to strengthen their capacity to perform the devolved functions effectively.
He further disclosed that personnel from the Country Planning Directorate would be deployed to various local councils to provide technical support, guidance and assistance during the devolution process.
According to him, the main objective of the workshop is to finalize and validate the Draft Regulations ahead of subsequent processes, including printing, gazetting and submission to Parliament for ratification.
He urged participants to make constructive contributions to the deliberations, stressing the need for a robust regulatory framework that can effectively guide country planning for years to come.
Representatives of key partner institutions also emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening Sierra Leone’s country planning system.
A representative from the Ministry of Finance commended the Ministry of Lands for its collaboration in reviewing the Town and Country Planning Act and finalizing the accompanying Regulations.
He noted that the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project has worked closely with the Ministry of Lands since the project’s inception, with the Ministry represented on the Project Technical Committee as part of the project’s governance structure.
He added that RUSLP has supported the Ministry through capacity-building initiatives, including technical assistance and the engagement of an international planning consultant, Dr. Passito, to work with the Ministry’s planning division to strengthen capacity in urban planning.
He reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration among the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Finance, local councils and development partners to ensure the successful implementation of the country planning reforms.
The Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Mrs. Phylis Kapu, also addressed participants and underscored the importance of the legal review exercise.
She stressed the need to ensure that the Draft Regulations are fully consistent with the National Country Planning Act, 2025, noting that clear, practical and effective regulations are essential for translating the provisions of the Act into meaningful country planning practices.
She encouraged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process and provide technical and legal inputs to strengthen the final document.
Following the opening session and introduction of participants, the Director of Country Planning, Mr. Sahr Mark Kanawa, presented an overview of the workshop’s purpose, objectives and methodology.
A major component of the workshop is the clause-by-clause legal review of the Draft Regulations, with particular attention to provisions relating to institutional arrangements.
Participants examined Clause 4, pursuant to subsection (1) of Section 7 of the Act, and Clause 6, pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 8 of the Act.
The review focused on provisions concerning the composition and representation of the respective planning committees, with participants identifying areas requiring amendment, clarification or replacement to ensure consistency with the National Country Planning Act, 2025.
The discussions provided stakeholders with an opportunity to raise observations, make recommendations and propose amendments aimed at making the Regulations clear, practical and effective.
Representatives from the World Bank, local councils, Ministry of Finance, RUSLP and other relevant institutions actively participated in the deliberations.
The first day concluded with extensive stakeholder contributions, while the clause-by-clause review is expected to continue throughout the workshop as participants examine additional provisions of the Draft Regulations.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning says it remains committed to a thorough, participatory and inclusive review process that will contribute to the development of a strong and effective regulatory framework for country planning in Sierra Leone.
The finalized Regulations are expected to provide greater clarity on the implementation of the National Country Planning Act, 2025, while supporting the decentralization and strengthening of country planning functions across the country.