On 4 July 2024 , Freetown’s Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr unveiled the “Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives Development Agenda” for 2024-2028.
This launch, the result of months of diligent work by the Deputy Mayor, FCC Councillors, the Chief Administrator, Council staff, members of the Mayor’s Delivery Unit, and community stakeholders, marks a significant step towards the city’s future.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr highlighted the collaborative efforts leading to this agenda, stating, “Extensive community engagement and technical input from MDA representatives, development partners, academic and professional institutions, the private sector, and civil society have been instrumental in shaping our vision.”
The new agenda builds on the achievements of the previous 2019-2023 plan, aiming to create 120,000 decent jobs for women and youth by 2028. These jobs will emerge from initiatives across four key areas: Climate Action, Heritage Tourism, Digital Economy, and Human Capital Development.
“One of today’s highlights was the opening performance by pupils of the FCC Early Learning Adventure Centre in Congo Water Market,” Mayor Aki-Sawyerr noted.
“These children remind us of the importance of early childhood development, a critical part of our Human Capital Development cluster. As one child poignantly said, ‘The first eight years have so much to do with how the next eighty years turn out.'”
Another notable feature was a tree giveaway, encouraging guests to participate in the #FreetownTheTreeTown initiative.
“It was a hit,” the Mayor remarked. “All guests were encouraged to pick up a free tree, take a photo, and upload details onto our tree tracker for monitoring.”
World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge and FCDO Director Emma Spicer expressed strong support for the agenda.
“Both spoke of their partnership with FCC on the 2019-2022 Transform Freetown Agenda, highlighting their funding contributions to various projects,” said Mayor Aki-Sawyerr. “I am grateful for their commitment to continue supporting our ambitious goal of creating 120,000 decent jobs by 2028.”
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Alfred Moi Jamiru, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the agenda’s potential positive ripple effects across all districts. He encouraged all Freetonians and stakeholders to collaborate and embrace the new plan.
Reflecting on the event, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr stated, “Today was an important milestone. We have set a target, identified our interventions, and over the next four years, we will implement these, reporting annually on our progress. We are energized and excited about the positive impacts this agenda will have on our city and in the lives of our residents.”
