By: Abu H. Kargbo
Launched in December 2024 to address structural imbalances and promote rapid local development, the People’s Development Foundation (PDF) has concluded a one-day engagement session with local authorities in Karene District, North West Region, Sierra Leone.
The landmark and fruitful meeting, chaired by Hon. Alusine Bash Kamara of the All Peoples Congress who also serves as the PDF Focal Person for Karene District was held in Gbinti, Dibia Chiefdom, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. It brought together paramount chiefs, councillors, political party representatives, and other traditional authorities.
Founder of the People’s Development Foundation, Alpha Osman Timbo, Esq., explained that the short-term goal of the organization is to establish essential administrative structures. These include appointing secretaries in every chiefdom and section, who will be responsible for documenting the needs of their respective communities. This data will be collected and made available on the organization’s official website.
“Our website will be a one-stop platform providing all the relevant information needed by institutions and organizations to implement development projects in rural areas,” said Lawyer Timbo. “This will significantly reduce the repeated costs incurred by Statistics Sierra Leone and development partners for data collection and needs assessments.”
Beyond facilitating community development, the PDF also aims to create employment opportunities by hiring and training the appointed secretaries in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and research skills.
“We want to complement the government’s efforts in creating job opportunities across the country,” Timbo added.
Leading by example, Alpha Osman Timbo pledged 100 bags of cement for the construction of the Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom Secretariat in Karene District.
“Our long-term goal is to facilitate the construction of chiefdom secretariats to serve as official offices for the paramount chiefs. We want to promote a culture of giving back, rather than people relying solely on the government,” he stated.
The PDF’s “Reshaping Our Future” initiative was warmly welcomed by local authorities in Karene District, including Paramount Chief Sheik Abdul Rahman Tejan Bangura Kafoir I of Sanda Tendaren, who also pledged 100 bags of cement for his chiefdom’s secretariat.
The People’s Development Foundation stands as a testament to bridging political, tribal, and regional divides in pursuit of inclusive development and opportunity creation.