By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone – January 1, 2026: Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has announced her intention to run for the presidency in 2028, marking a historic moment in Sierra Leone’s political landscape. The declaration came as she reflected on the achievements and challenges of the Freetown City Council (FCC) in 2025, outlining progress in waste management, climate resilience, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment.
Transforming Freetown in 2025
- Waste Management: New byelaws made household and business waste collection compulsory, supported by over 700 community workers under the “Dorti Mus Go” campaign.
- Climate Action: The FreetownTheTreetown project advanced carbon accreditation, while 2,500 jobs were created for youth and women as tree trackers and field monitors.
- Water Access: 20 solar-powered kiosks were installed across informal settlements, empowering 200 women as water managers.
- Flood Mitigation: More than 1,000 residents joined efforts to clear drainage channels, strengthening community resilience.
- Youth Climate Leadership: 18 winners of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund received USD 87,471 in micro-grants for innovative projects.
Social Empowerment and Infrastructure
- Construction began on the Susan’s Bay Care Block, designed to support women caregivers with education, healthcare, and skills training.
- The Kingtom dumpsite was handed over to Sierra Forever Green Ltd, expected to create 500 recycling jobs.
- The Wilberforce Village Market Complex was commissioned, offering modern facilities for commerce and community life.
- Heritage conservation advanced through youth training in ironwork at the historic Old Fourah Bay College site.
Global Partnerships
- Freetown hosted Zurich Mayor Corine Mauch to review a CHF 2.5 million urban regeneration partnership.
- The city welcomed Mark Watts of C40 Cities, announcing new air quality monitoring and a USD 100,000 Rockefeller Foundation grant for heat-health resilience.
- The African Urban Heat Summit launched Freetown’s first Heat Action Plan, unveiled by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
Challenges Ahead
Despite progress, FCC faced setbacks in 2025, including the non-disbursement of devolved funds by central government, limiting support for primary healthcare. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also highlighted pressing social issues such as corpses left on city streets and the growing kush drug epidemic, urging collective action to safeguard youth and public health.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed gratitude to Freetonians, councillors, and international partners for their support, emphasizing that civic engagement remains central to Freetown’s future. Her announcement of a 2028 presidential bid signals a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s leadership, rooted in her record of urban transformation and climate resilience.