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The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), with support from GIZ, on Monday, 16 March 2026, held a one-day training workshop for local councils and community stakeholders at the Mena Hills Hotel in Makeni City, Northern Sierra Leone.
The training, themed “Empowering Communities, Deepening Democracy: Strengthening Community-Led Governance Through Decentralization in Sierra Leone,” brought together representatives from local councils, community leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the roles and responsibilities of local councils in promoting democratic governance.
Speaking during the opening session, Mohamed Sheshu Sheriff, Executive Secretary of the APRM National Secretariat, said the workshop was part of a GIZ-supported project that began last year and is now approaching its final phase. He explained that the engagement aims to ensure that local governance structures become an integral part of national governance processes, particularly the ongoing constitutional review in Sierra Leone.
According to Mr. Sheriff, the initiative is critical because it creates opportunities for local councils to secure stronger representation and recognition in the country’s new constitution, expected to be finalized soon. He encouraged participants to actively engage throughout the training, noting that the discussions would equip them with knowledge to improve governance and service delivery in their communities.
During the workshop, Alusine Koroma, APRM Focal Point Person for the Northern Region, delivered a one-hour PowerPoint presentation highlighting the importance of local government in democratic governance. His presentation also examined challenges within the decentralization framework, the objectives of the high-level policy dialogue, and the roles of key stakeholders in strengthening local governance.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, leaving the training with a deeper understanding of the relationship between local councils and the central government, and the significance of decentralization in promoting accountability and community participation.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants expressed appreciation to APRM for organizing the training and sharing valuable knowledge. They pledged to apply the lessons learned and work closely with local authorities to strengthen governance at the community level.
