Female councillors from across Sierra Leone have received leadership and advocacy training aimed at strengthening women’s participation in local governance and improving development outcomes at the community level, organisers said on Monday.
The training, held under the theme “Meeting on Leadership, Advocacy, and Formation of National and Local Structures,” was organised by the Network of Female Councillors (NFC) in collaboration with the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and other partners. It took place at the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) Conference Hall in Freetown.
The initiative brought together representatives from government, non-governmental organisations, and local councils, including Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi, who urged participants to strengthen collaboration and use their positions to drive community transformation.
“Politics is complex,” Mahoi said. “If you do not have the training, the know-how, and the necessary support, you won’t make a meaningful impact. Everyone is talking about women’s representation, but if women are not informed and empowered, they cannot lead effectively.”
The minister described councillors as vital links between government and communities and called for unity among women across political divides to address issues such as drug abuse, prostitution, and poverty.
CGG Executive Director Marcella Samba Sesay encouraged the councillors to use advocacy and collaboration as tools for effective governance. “We need to work together so that our recognition comes through performance,” she said, adding that solidarity among women leaders was crucial for long-term impact.
Representatives from Irish Aid–supported NGO Trócaire also pledged continued support for women in leadership, noting that mentorship and performance were as important as representation.
At the close of the training, participants elected a new national executive for the NFC to coordinate the network’s work nationwide. Councillor Kumba Nyandemoh of Kono District was elected Chairperson, while Councillor Haja Yapate of Port Loko District became Deputy Chairperson.
Nyandemoh thanked participants for their confidence and pledged to promote inclusivity. “This is a women’s network, and I will be a good listening leader, not an autocratic one,” she said.
The NFC was established in 2024 to strengthen the capacity of female local government leaders and promote gender-responsive governance across Sierra Leone.
Reporting by Mo Hamad Kargbo in Freetown.
