By Mahamood Fofana
More than two decades after the end of Sierra Leone’s devastating civil war, the recommendations of the 2004 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report continue to shape the country’s governance and peacebuilding efforts. Among these recommendations is Section 292, Volume 2, Chapter 3, which calls for the creation of a concerned citizens category aimed at deepening integrity, strengthening civic participation, and enhancing local service delivery.
It is within this framework that the Women’s Forum for Human Rights and Democracy (WOFHRAD) convened a local-level accountability dialogue on 7 November 2025 at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union Hall in Makeni. The event, supported through the Idris Aid Civil Society Program (ICSP), brought together duty bearers and citizens from both the Makeni City Council and the Bombali District Council for a day of engagement, reflection, and public accountability.
Opening the session, WOFHRAD’s Chief Project Officer, Kemoh Mansaray, emphasized the centrality of citizen–duty bearer dialogue in strengthening democratic governance. He described the forum as a safe space where communities can express concerns, seek clarifications, and better understand how local institutions operate.
“Bringing service providers face-to-face with the public promotes transparency and accountability in local service delivery,” Mansaray said. “It also creates an environment where people feel a sense of participation and ownership in the development of their communities.”
According to him, such platforms allow duty bearers to offer real-time updates on their activities, ensuring that citizens are informed and engaged in processes that affect their daily lives.
Representing the Makeni City Council, Development and Planning Officer Yusif Tejan Kamara welcomed the initiative, urging WOFHRAD to organize similar engagements more frequently. He noted that local councils often face public criticism due to information gaps, which sessions like this help to address.
“This platform gives us the opportunity to showcase our work directly to the public,” Kamara said. “We are committed to participating in more of these dialogues because they help build trust between institutions and citizens.”
On the citizens’ side, Juliet Jeneba Fornah, Director of Welfare Alert Sierra Leone, expressed appreciation for the depth of information shared during the dialogue. She noted that the insights provided by duty bearers would strengthen civil society’s advocacy efforts and ensure that democratic principles are upheld at the grassroots.
“WOFHRAD deserves commendation for creating such an impactful and insightful session,” she said. “This initiative equips citizens with the knowledge they need to hold institutions accountable.”
The event ended with renewed calls for continuous engagement between communities and local authorities—echoing the spirit and intentions of the TRC recommendations, which envisioned a more inclusive, transparent, and citizen-driven governance landscape in post-war Sierra Leone.
Through initiatives like this, WOFHRAD continues to position itself as a key actor in promoting accountability, strengthening civic participation, and advancing democratic values across the country.
