By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
In a momentous occasion set to unfold this Friday, April 25, 2025, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr will be honored with the prestigious 2021 Lawrence C. Nussdorf Urban Leadership Prize at the University of Pennsylvania. This award presentation, originally delayed due to COVID-related restrictions, will now take place during the Penn Institute for Urban Research’s 20th Annual Urban Leadership Forum, bringing together visionaries dedicated to urban progress.
The award citation shines a spotlight on Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s remarkable contributions to urban sustainability in Freetown. Under her leadership, the city has achieved significant milestones, including the construction and operation of its first-ever wastewater treatment plant, the digitalization and expansion of the property rate system, and the ambitious #FreetownTheTreeTown initiative, which has seen the planting and monitoring of an impressive 1.2 million trees.
“This award is not just a personal honor,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasizes. “It’s a tribute to the incredible Councillors, Freetown City Council staff, and members of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit who work tirelessly to bring our vision to life. Together, we are committed to the #TransformFreetown and #TransformingLives development agenda.”
As she prepares to receive this esteemed recognition, the Mayor’s passion for her city and its future remains unwavering. This celebration is a testament to the collective effort that drives Freetown toward a sustainable and thriving future.
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