The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Parliament of Sierra Leone, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, on Monday 8th December 2025 convened a one-day National Dialogue on enhancing and transforming the drive for own-source revenue mobilisation for Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities.
Following intensive presentations, discussions and concerns raised by Local Councils, Chiefdom Authorities and other stakeholders resulted in the adoption and approval of Seven Key Resolutions, otherwise known as “The Freetown Resolutions 2025”, signed by representatives of over 300 participants.
The engagement was held at the Freetown City Council’s Auditorium, Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown.
The Dialogue was aimed at strengthening the mobilisation, management, and utilisation of own-source revenues by Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities to support sustainable developments within their respective jurisdictions.
Representing the Fiscal Decentralization Division, Ministry of Finance, Sallieu Kamara, Assistant Director in the Fiscal Decentralization Division, noted that the discussion directly aligns with the Ministry’s mandate. He expressed the Ministry’s appreciation for being part of the process, and emphasised the importance of revenue generation and continuous stakeholder’s engagements. Mr. Kamara underscored that the Dialogue will help to improve fiscal decentralization and chart a clear path for progress in respect of the same.
Acting Director of Public Financial Management Reform Department (PFMRD), Madam Lydia S. Kargbo, thanked the organisers and highlighted some of the challenges Local Councils are faced with in revenue mobilisation. She expressed confidence that the engagements would serve as a turning point to enhancing revenue mobilisation for Councils.
Chairman of the National Council for Paramount Chiefs, Hon. PC Sheku Tejan Fasuluku Sonsiama lll, acknowledged the significance of the meeting and reflected on the historical role Paramount Chiefs have played in revenue collection within their Chiefdoms. He also outlined existing challenges, including low salaries and limited resources.
Dr. M.M.B. Sisay, Chairperson of Bombali District Council, speaking on behalf of Council Chairmen, stressed the need for accountability and transparency in local governance. He recommended adopting a digitalised revenue system, expanding the local tax base, and providing continuous capacity-building for council staff. He further noted that effective enforcement of revenue laws would significantly boost domestic revenue growth, whilst highlighting the ongoing challenges councils are faced with for service delivery.
Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council, Kweku Lisk, spoke on behalf of Mayors and presented practical insights to improving revenue mobilisation at the municipal level.
Delivering the keynote address, the PAC Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, reiterated the vital role of the chiefdoms in the revenue generation ecosystem. He stressed the need to address the existing gaps between Local Councils and the Chiefdom Authorities, noting that the chiefdoms remain a central engine for mobilising revenue. He confirmed that following this Dialogue, the PAC will continue these engagements with councils across the regions in the provinces.
Hon. Conteh further emphasised that this engagement was aimed at clearly defining the respective roles of Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities in revenue generation, as well as to establish a transparent formula for revenue generation. “We must work together and collaborate to strengthen and modernise the activities of Councils,” he said.
In closing, he called on development partners, civil society, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively to supporting innovative approaches to increasing councils’ own-source revenue.
The Dialogue sparked robust discussions, with participants offering practical proposals and recommendations on how Councils and Chiefdom Authorities could jointly improve their operations.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, the Opposition Whip gave the vote of thanks and called on relevant stakeholders to implement the resolutions that have been adopted for purposes of enhancing revenue mobilisation between Local Councils and Chiefdom Authorities for developments in their respective localities.
Director of the Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Sheku Lamin Turay, who moderated the event, and also provided an overview of the historical development of Local Councils in Sierra Leone.
