The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, has publicly rebuked Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr for her opposition to the government’s proposed plans to divide the city into two local councils.
Speaking in an interview with Truth Media, Minister Lamina described the Mayor’s June 3 open letter as “very disingenuous,” asserting that raising concerns on social media is not the appropriate avenue for public officials to engage on policy matters.
“You are the Mayor of Freetown; you don’t raise concerns on social media. That’s not how we engage,” he said, emphasizing that formal channels should be used to address contentious issues.
Mayor Ak-Sawyerr’s letter had warned that the proposed redistricting could have adverse effects on service delivery, coordination, and equitable resource distribution within the capital.
However, Minister Lamina stressed that such issues should be discussed through structured dialogue with the relevant government bodies rather than through public platforms, which he suggested could unnecessarily inflame public sentiment.
The comments come ahead of the scheduled public consultation on September 18, 2025, at the Freetown City Council Auditorium, where citizens and stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input on the government’s plans.