BAN, Paramount Chiefs Join Forces to Strengthen Budget Transparency Nationwide
Kanja Sesay The Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Paramount Chiefs (NCPC) to strengthen transparency, accountability and access to public budget information at the chiefdom level across Sierra Leone.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Freetown, seeks to improve collaboration between the two institutions in monitoring development projects, understanding government budgets and promoting the effective use of public resources.
The partnership will also help Paramount Chiefs access simplified information on local council budgets, procurement processes and audit matters, enabling them to play a more informed role in development activities within their chiefdoms.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, BAN Coordinator Abubakar Kamara said the agreement was designed to support Sierra Leone’s development by strengthening cooperation between civil society organisations and traditional authorities.
Kamara acknowledged the important role Paramount Chiefs play in promoting development within their respective chiefdoms.
He explained that traditional leaders are often unaware of development projects being implemented in their communities, making it difficult for them to monitor progress or ensure accountability.
“You will all agree with me that you often see an ongoing project in a chiefdom that the Paramount Chief knows nothing about,” Kamara said.
According to him, the partnership will help address this information gap by providing Paramount Chiefs with clearer information about public expenditure, procurement activities and audit findings.
He said BAN intends to simplify local council budget information to make it easier for traditional leaders to understand how public resources are allocated and spent.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen the ability of Paramount Chiefs to engage relevant authorities on development projects taking place within their chiefdoms.
Kamara further explained that the agreement would support efforts to improve revenue generation at the chiefdom level.
He noted that Paramount Chiefs often have plans to undertake development projects but face financial constraints that prevent them from implementing those initiatives.
According to the BAN Coordinator, improving access to financial information and strengthening accountability could help traditional authorities better understand available resources and development opportunities.
He emphasised that the partnership is intended to promote responsible resource management while supporting development priorities in communities across the country.
The agreement will also encourage greater information-sharing between BAN and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs on matters relating to public finance and development planning.
BAN Acting Chairperson Marcella Samba-Sesay emphasised the importance of traditional leadership in Sierra Leone’s governance and development system.
Speaking at the ceremony, she stated that more than 70% of Sierra Leone’s population falls under chiefdom governance, highlighting the significant influence of traditional authorities on community development.
She argued that effective governance at the chiefdom level could contribute substantially to improved governance and development nationwide.
Samba-Sesay also stressed that Paramount Chiefs have an important role to play in public financial management, particularly in ensuring that development initiatives respond to community needs.
She explained that BAN and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs share a common interest in promoting Sierra Leone’s progress.
However, she acknowledged that BAN could not achieve its objectives independently, making collaboration with traditional institutions essential.
Addressing concerns about the nature of the partnership, Samba-Sesay clarified that BAN would not interfere with the administration or governance structures of individual chiefdoms.
She explained that the agreement is based on mutual respect and cooperation.
According to her, BAN’s primary responsibility under the partnership will be to provide relevant budget information and technical support to help Paramount Chiefs better understand public financial matters.
The organisation will focus on making financial information accessible rather than assuming responsibilities traditionally exercised by Paramount Chiefs.
Samba-Sesay expressed confidence that the collaboration would strengthen accountability while respecting established traditional governance structures.
The Chairperson of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, PC Dr Masakina Madibie II, welcomed the partnership, describing BAN as an important partner in supporting chiefdom development.
He explained that Paramount Chiefs are interested in understanding development activities taking place within their communities but often lack the technical capacity to monitor every project effectively.
According to him, although traditional structures exist to provide information to Paramount Chiefs, these systems do not always have the technical expertise required to assess development projects.
He noted that some Paramount Chiefs have limited knowledge of project designs and technical specifications, making it difficult to determine whether projects are being implemented according to their intended plans.
The NCPC Chairperson expressed confidence that BAN’s expertise would help traditional leaders better understand project documentation and monitor development activities more effectively.
He emphasised that both institutions share an interest in ensuring that Sierra Leone’s public resources are managed responsibly and used for their intended purposes.
The partnership between BAN and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs is expected to create opportunities for greater collaboration in public financial management and development monitoring.
Through the agreement, Paramount Chiefs will have access to simplified budget information that could help them understand government spending priorities and engage more effectively with local authorities.
The initiative also seeks to improve awareness of procurement and audit processes, enabling traditional leaders to raise informed questions about projects implemented in their communities.
By combining BAN’s technical expertise with the local knowledge and leadership of Paramount Chiefs, the two institutions aim to strengthen transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.
The agreement reflects growing recognition of the role traditional authorities can play in promoting responsible public resource management.
As the partnership moves into implementation, its effectiveness will depend on sustained information-sharing, technical support and cooperation between the participating institutions.
Both BAN and the National Council of Paramount Chiefs have expressed their commitment to working together to promote accountability, strengthen chiefdom development and ensure that public resources contribute to Sierra Leone’s broader development objectives.