By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 17 September 2025 — A heated public consultation convened by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs ended in uproar on Thursday, as residents of Sierra Leone’s capital city overwhelmingly rejected a government proposal to divide Freetown into separate administrative zones.
Held at the Freetown City Council Hall, the meeting was led by Minister Tamba Lamina, who presented a draft framework for the proposed division. He argued that the move would improve service delivery, empower local communities, and reflect a more inclusive governance model.
“Freetown is expanding rapidly,” Lamina said. “Our population is growing, and we must ensure government services reach every corner efficiently. This proposal allows communities to have more say in their development and enables councils to mobilize resources more effectively.”
But the minister’s remarks were met with strong resistance from attendees, many of whom interrupted the presentation with chants of “No division!” a phrase that echoed throughout the hall and captured the mood of the gathering.
Bishop Temple of the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone welcomed the dialogue but cautioned against rushing the proposal. “We already have subdivisions, constituencies and wards that serve as instruments for development,” he said. “Let the conversation continue. We must not see this as an election strategy.”
Civil society leader Morlai Conteh, Director of the National Youth Coalition, questioned the timing and priorities of the draft. “The intention may be good, but Sierra Leoneans are still grappling with basic needs, food, rent, transportation,” he said. “Why consult the people if the law already allows a presidential proclamation? The president represents the people and must act in their interest. Strengthen the council instead of creating new layers.”
Honourable Mariama Bangura added her voice to the chorus of concern, urging the government to “think about the country and the people before making decisions.”
In an interview with Truth Media, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer expressed deep reservations about the proposal. “If Freetown is divided, we lose the essence of a capital city,” she said. “This is not a small decision, it’s about our future and our legacy.”
Aki-Sawyer emphasized that any move to fragment the city must be weighed against its long-term impact on identity, governance, and cohesion.
As the meeting drew to a close, tensions escalated. Attendees rose to their feet, shouting “No division!” in unison, a clear message to the government that the proposal lacked public support.
While the Ministry has yet to announce its next steps, Thursday’s consultation made one thing clear: Freetonians are calling for unity, transparency and a development strategy that reflects their lived realities not administrative fragmentation.
