Following the June 24, 2023, Presidential, councilors, and Mayorships elections in Sierra Leone, the aftermath unfolded into a challenging political scenario when the opposition party, known as the All People’s Congress (APC), decided to boycott participation in governance. Their stance revolved around allegations of incorrect election results, leading to a three-month period where most APC councilors and mayors refrained from governance, causing Freetown to function without a mayor.

The situation persisted until a peace dialogue between the ruling Government, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), and the APC resulted in resolutions for the APC parliamentarians and mayors to rejoin the governance structure. On October 27, 2023, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, elected for Freetown, adhered to the agreement and officially took the oath of office, marking her return to the mayoral role.

On October 30, 2023, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr entered her office for the first time since the elections, signaling a new chapter in Freetown’s administration. The city’s residents eagerly welcomed her, celebrating her return with a festive reception at the Freetown City Council Hall, presenting numerous gifts. In her address, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr pledged to maximize her last five years in office, championing a vision titled “Freetown Transformation.”

Sierraloaded, seeking the pulse of Freetown’s populace, conversed with residents to gauge their expectations for Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s tenure.

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Mr. Joseph Koroma, a concerned citizen, emphasized the urgency of settling street traders with permanent structures, addressing rumors of potential government plans to remove them. He stressed the need for swift action in establishing market centers for these traders while maintaining orderly movement on Freetown’s roads.

In Joseph Koroma words, “I’m elated that Freetown finally has a mayor after several months of a standstill with no visible progress in development. Seeing Mayor Aki-Sawyerr back in her office brings me joy. As a concerned citizen of Freetown, I believe there’s much to be addressed. I hope the mayor prioritizes establishing a permanent and durable structure for street traders’ businesses. There are rumors about the government planning to clear the street traders and stick shops in Freetown’s central area to ensure smoother traffic flow. While this initiative is commendable, I urge the mayor to expedite the construction of a proper market center for these street traders.”

Mrs. Sarah Mabel Cole echoed the sentiment of many, emphasizing the necessity of a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing Freetown. She highlighted the growing challenges with sanitation, deterioration of gutters, and major streets during rainfalls, urging the mayor to focus on transforming the city’s cleanliness.

Mabel Cole emphasized, “I hold several expectations, but the foremost one is for Mayor Aki-Sawyerr to focus on enhancing the cleanliness of Freetown. The city is increasingly beset by dirt, with gutters and major streets deteriorating during rainfall. Thus, I implore Mayor Aki-Sawyerr to concentrate on the transformation and upkeep of Freetown’s cleanliness.”

Mr. Jochkim Abu Turay, expressed the urgent need for the mayor’s attention towards the city’s young demographic. Highlighting the high rates of joblessness, homelessness, drug abuse, and early motherhood among young girls, Turay emphasized the need for increased job opportunities, educational support, vocational training, rehabilitation centers, and initiatives to curb prostitution in the city.

Turay remarked, “I urge Mayor Aki-Sawyerr to prioritize the advancement of youth in Freetown. Analyzing Sierra Leone’s statistics reveals high rates of unemployment and homelessness among Freetown’s youth, surpassing other towns. The mayor should focus on creating more job opportunities for qualified youths, establishing scholarships and vocational schools for those without qualifications. Additionally, attention is needed in constructing or upgrading rehabilitation centers for youths grappling with drug abuse and sexual harassment issues. Addressing the prevalence of young girls becoming mothers on Freetown’s streets, the mayor should allocate funds or implement programs aimed at integrating them into society while reducing early childbirth rates. Notably, there’s a concerning presence of girls engaging in prostitution on Freetown’s streets, many of whom are carriers of diseases and viruses. The Mayor needs to devise strategies to address and rectify the issues surrounding prostitution in Freetown.”

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s return has generated optimism among Freetown’s residents, with hopes pinned on her ability to address key issues, ranging from urban development, sanitation, youth empowerment, and societal challenges. The city eagerly anticipates the implementation of Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s promised “Freetown Transformation” agenda, anticipating a positive shift in the city’s trajectory under her leadership.