Freetown City Council Launches Development Agenda Aiming For 120,000 Jobs by 2028

After months of collaboration, Freetown City Council (FCC) unveiled its ambitious “Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives” Development Agenda for 2024-2028.

The plan, built upon the successes of the previous agenda, sets a clear target: creating 120,000 decent jobs for women and youth within the next four years.

Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said this goal will be achieved through interventions across four key areas: Climate Action, Heritage Tourism, Digital Economy, and Human Capital Development. The Agenda incorporates extensive community feedback and outlines specific initiatives across nine critical pathways aimed at job creation.

The launch ceremony highlighted the importance of early childhood education. FCC showcased its commitment to providing free, high-quality education for vulnerable children by featuring pupils from the Early Learning Adventure Centre. As one child aptly stated, “The first eight years have so much to do with how the next 80 years turn out!”

Another engaging element was the tree giveaway, encouraging attendees to contribute to Freetown’s “FreetownTheTreeTown” campaign. Participants collected free trees, documented their planting with photos, and uploaded details to a dedicated online tracker.

The event benefited from the participation of key partners. World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge and FCDO Director Emma Spicer reaffirmed their support for FCC’s initiatives, highlighting their previous contributions to projects like #FreetownTheTreeTown. They pledged continued collaboration towards the ambitious job creation target.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Alfred Moi Jamiru, representing Minister Tamba Lamina, addressed the gathering. He underscored the national impact of a successful “Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives” Agenda. Encouraging collaboration with FCC, he called upon all Freetonians to embrace the plan.