MLGCA and STAT-SL engage Bo District Stakeholders on purpose of Redistricting

In collaboration with Statistics Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has on Wednesday 2nd July 2025, engaged stakeholders of Bo District on the redistricting of key districts in the country.

The event was held at the Bo District Council conference hall, Falaba Section in Kakua chiefdom. In attendance, were Members of Parliament, Paramount Chiefs, Local Council Officials, Civil Society Organizations, Local Authorities and Journalists.

In his welcome address, the Chairman Council of Paramount Chiefs, PC Mohamed Tshombe appreciated the gathering and applauded the initiative of redistricting key districts in a bid to fairly allocate resources.

The Director of DecSec, Alex Bhonapha Esq stated that the meeting was meant to educate stakeholders on what redistricting is all about and how it stands to impact the lives of ordinary citizens.

He added that redistricting is a form of decentralization in a bid to foster a governance of inclusion and participation.

The Resident Minister-Southern Region, Chief John Abu, described the initiative as a significant move that marks a progression towards the re-birth of new districts.

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He indulged stakeholders to embrace the development for the furtherance of the country.

The District Council Chairman for Bo, Victor Korseh Hindowa affirmatively endorsed the development, stating that the purpose of redistricting in the Bio-led Government is for development and not for gerrymandering.

According to the District Council Chairman, redistricting means, deprived communities would be prioritized and made subjects in resource allocation.

PC Dr. Margaret Baio-Gbanie IV, Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, illustrated a principle to convey an idea of fair resource distribution amongst fragmented communities over amalgamated communities that scramble for resources. In a case, she said only the strongest survive.

The Statician-General-Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny explained that his institution is charged with the mandate to collect and manage data.

Adding, he said data is used to plan developmental activities, determine progress and to evaluate outcome.

He explained the parameters taken into consideration to determine the establishment of a new district headquarter town or city.

The Statician-General welcomed the establishment of the new districts (Bandajuma&Panguima) and the city (Lungi City) was timely and welcoming, affirming that the initiative is backed by emperical evidence

In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba Lamina allay the fears of the audience that the entire process of redistricting would be fair.

Fundamentally, he stated that the redistricting is driven out of development and not for unfair electoral boundaries.

Ambassador Lamina described redistricting as a significant process that gears towards fair and effective representation for all, without it, he said some areas may become overrepresented, whilst others may become underrepresented.

He however, recognized the direct impact of the redistricting on incumbent’s electoral fortunes, which he said is noted as one of the most personal reasons other citizens are against the very idea.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Alfred Moi Jamiru entreated dissenters to embrace the initiative and ignore self interest in governance.

The ceremony was presided over by the Provincial Secretary-Southern Region, Abu Bakarr Kamara.