In a strong opposing letter addressed to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, the Freetown City Council slams government’s plans to split Freetown amid move to create additional districts.
In the letter dated June 2nd, 2025, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr says that the proposed division would have negative impact of on the city, noting it historic significance, and its administrative structure. The Mayor alleged that the decision lacks consultation with the people within the Freetown Municipality.
Citing section 21 (1) (c) of the Local Government’s Act, 2022, which states the mandates of local council’ to develop its locality and promote the welfare of its people, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr fears that fragmentation of mandates on essential service delivery will be greatly affected by the division, including mandate for land use planning and building approval by Ministry of lands and the lists goes on.
Furthermore, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr asserts that the division of Freetown into two local councils will not solve the challenges faced by the municipality and its residents, but rather an improved service delivery by the City Council.
Moreover, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr believe that the proposed division will have effect on the implementation of existing interventions designed for the benefit of the city, highlighting the recently implemented Freetown City Council Solid and Liquid Waste Collection Byelaws.
The Mayor also raised concerns about the financial burden associated to the creation of additional local councils, amid struggles to address substantial challenges in the Freetown municipality. She also complains that the government has not yet fulfilled its financial commitment to the Freetown City Council in relation to the 2025 tied budget.
Whilst recognizing the government’s constitutional mandate to create new localities, the Mayor highlights the need for the government to consider the population density, the geographical contiguity and future growth of the given city, projecting that the growth or expansion of Freetown’s topography is not foreseeable.
She added that based on the most recent Population data, that is the 2021 Midterm Population and Housing Census, Freetown saw a significant decline in population, hence Population is not a basis for the proposed fragmentation of the city, adding that this will in fact bring more burden to taxpayers.
In closing, the Mayor appeal to the Ministry of Local Governments to “Leave Freetown as Freetown”.
