By Sahid Uche Sesay
As the 2028 elections draw closer, a stalwart of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has declared his intention to contest for the position of Mayor of the Freetown City Council.
Hans Prince Davidson Frank Doherty, a Freetown-born businessman and healthcare entrepreneur, said he would contest for the APC mayoral ticket and expressed confidence that, if given the party’s symbol, he would win the mayoral election in 2028.
In an exclusive interview with this medium, Mr. Doherty described himself as “a son of Freetown and a son of the soil,” saying he was born in Kissy, New Sight, and received his early education at Urban Centre Nursery School and Akibo Bett Municipal School before proceeding to Sierra Leone Grammar School. He later travelled to the United Kingdom, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, before moving to the United States, where he earned a master’s degree in Forensic Studies.
Mr. Doherty said his professional journey had also led him into healthcare entrepreneurship and business, describing himself as a successful businessman, healthcare entrepreneur, employer, community advocate, husband, father and a proud Sierra Leonean. “I aspire to become the next Mayor of Freetown if given the ticket. I believe this city has tremendous potential, but that potential requires practical leadership, stronger community accountability and a willingness to work together,” he said.
He outlined five key priorities which, according to him, would form the basis of his vision for Freetown. His first priority is to build a cleaner, flood-resilient Freetown, with a focus on strengthening sanitation, supporting regular community cleaning, improving waste management and addressing drainage and flooding challenges.
The second priority is to develop better communities by advocating for improvements in marketplaces, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential infrastructure.
His third priority is to create job opportunities for young people. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Doherty said he would support entrepreneurship, skills development, investment and other initiatives aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities and reducing youth unemployment. The fourth priority is transparency and accountability in the management of the city’s resources. “We all know that Freetonians can ask questions: Where does the money go? We want to ensure that the resources of the city are managed well,” he said, adding that his administration would emphasise accountability and financial reporting so that residents could know how the city’s resources were being utilised.
His fifth priority is to create stronger and safer neighbourhoods through greater collaboration among councillors, community leaders, young people, women, businesses and residents.
“We need all of them to become active partners in developing the various communities,” he said. Mr. Doherty also highlighted his involvement in supporting Sierra Leoneans seeking educational opportunities overseas, saying he had assisted several people with visa applications and admission to universities abroad. Looking beyond his mayoral ambitions, he disclosed plans to establish an ultra-modern hospital in Sierra Leone. According to him, the proposed facility would have approximately 300 beds and five operating theatres, with the aim of providing quality and affordable healthcare to Sierra Leoneans.
He said the initiative would help reduce the need for Sierra Leoneans to travel abroad for medical treatment. Mr. Doherty expressed hope that, with God’s guidance and support, the hospital project could be pursued after the 2028 elections as part of his broader commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone.
