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Popular Sierra Leonean politician and activist Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has stirred fresh debate on the future of Freetown’s governance structure, proposing a three-way administrative split of the capital city.
In a recent Facebook post, Dr. Blyden shared her vision for the capital, suggesting that Freetown should be divided into three distinct localities: a new City of Freetown focused solely on the Central Business District (CBD)—similar to the City of London, which has fewer than 9,000 residents—alongside separate localities for areas east and west of the CBD.
“Let’s discuss Freetown,” she wrote. “My preference is for it to be split into THREE localities… Drop your comments on your own preference.”
Dr. Blyden’s remarks follow the Government of Sierra Leone’s recent announcement of plans to divide the current Freetown municipality into two cities, a move that has sparked widespread public concern and debate.
Many citizens and civil society activists have criticized the proposal, arguing that the priority should be improving urban infrastructure, public services, and governance, rather than redrawing city boundaries.
Opponents of the government’s plan caution that dividing the capital could undermine unity, create administrative complications, and divert attention from urgent developmental challenges such as waste management, housing, and road infrastructure.
While some welcome the idea of decentralisation as a way to enhance local governance and service delivery, others see it as politically motivated and lacking in public consultation.
Dr. Blyden’s three-way split proposal adds a new dimension to the ongoing conversation, sparking renewed dialogue about how best to manage Sierra Leone’s fast-growing capital city. Her post has already generated significant engagement online, with commenters sharing both support and criticism of the idea.
As the debate continues, stakeholders are calling on the government to engage the public more broadly through consultations and to focus on inclusive development that addresses the real needs of Freetown’s diverse and expanding population.
Government need to create or expand another city some where else instead of dividing the city, freetown should remain a commercial city Government should now trying to create a new city that will be better for the country and also help to increase the number of cities in the country
I think for an effective administration , development and judicious allocation of wealth and better management Freetown has to be divided into three regions as planned by the government undr the leadership of His excellency the president julious Maada Bio .cooperation and collaboration is needed from every sierra leoneean
Hmmm the plot thickens!!