By Saidu Jalloh | D.S Reporter
FREETOWN — Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has raised fresh concerns over the government’s proposed plan to divide the capital into three cities, questioning the timing and manner of consultations.
Speaking during a recent media interview, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr said consultation only came after key decisions had already been taken, including a Cabinet approval of the proposal.
She said the Freetown City Council (FCC) had consistently engaged government through research, data and public engagement long before the latest move.
According to the Mayor, the core question is whether dividing Freetown will improve service delivery, noting that the city’s challenges are partly linked to fragmentation and lack of coordinated governance.
She cited research from the African Centre for Cities which examined the proposal to create three cities, three local councils and three mayors. The Centre’s analysis highlighted the benefits of coordinated city-wide governance, including economies of scale and more integrated service delivery.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also referenced a town hall meeting organised by FCC in June 2025, which she said attracted nearly 600 participants, including community representatives, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, youth groups and the media. She said participants at the meeting broadly opposed the division of Freetown.
Her main criticism, however, centred on process. She argued that consultation should shape major decisions, not merely explain decisions that have already been made.
The Mayor noted that she has maintained this position since the proposal was first announced. In an open letter in June 2025, she expressed concern that the plan to split the capital was announced without consulting Freetonians.
She pointed out that the government’s proposal has evolved from an initial plan to create two cities to now three cities, three councils and three mayors, as referenced in the African Centre for Cities commentary.
Aki-Sawyerr said the focus of the debate should be on whether the restructuring will deliver better services and stronger urban management for residents of Freetown.
She urged government to continue engaging Freetonians and to consider evidence and stakeholder concerns before proceeding with any changes to the capital’s local government structure.
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