By Julius Desmond Conteh
The Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) on Monday, 26th January 2025, convened a high-level stakeholder dialogue in Karene District aimed at deepening transparency, accountability, and effective public financial management at the local government level. The landmark engagement brought together Paramount Chiefs from all thirteen chiefdoms in the district, senior officials of the Karene District Council, civil society actors, and community representatives.
Held at the Karene District Council Hall, the dialogue focused on strengthening collaboration between traditional authorities and the council in the mobilization and management of own-source revenue — a critical pillar for local governance and service delivery. The discussions centred on practical strategies for improving revenue collection, ensuring community participation, reducing leakages, and promoting accountability in the use of public funds.
The meeting climaxed with the symbolic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Karene District Council and the thirteen Paramount Chiefs, formalising a structured revenue-sharing mechanism across the district. The MoU commits both parties to work jointly to enhance revenue generation in a participatory, transparent, efficient, and accountable manner within all chiefdoms under the council’s jurisdiction.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Karene District Council, Abdul Kandeh Turay, expressed profound appreciation to the Budget Advocacy Network for facilitating what he described as a “timely and transformative partnership.” He acknowledged the crucial role Paramount Chiefs play as custodians of local authority and noted that their cooperation is essential for the success of any local development agenda.
Chairman Turay further disclosed that, as of late January 2025, the Government of Sierra Leone had not yet disbursed statutory funds to the council, a situation he warned could severely hamper operations and service delivery if not urgently addressed. He stressed that in the absence of central government transfers, strengthening local own-source revenue remained the only viable option for sustaining council activities.
“This agreement is not just about money,” Turay said. “It is about building trust, accountability, and a shared responsibility for the development of Karene District. Without effective revenue mobilisation, local councils cannot function, and our people will continue to suffer from lack of basic services.”
Representing the traditional leadership, the Paramount Chiefs collectively welcomed the initiative and pledged their full support to the council. They acknowledged that improved coordination between chiefs and council authorities would help eliminate conflicts, reduce revenue leakages, and ensure that funds collected at community level are properly accounted for and used for development.
All thirteen Paramount Chiefs formally endorsed the agreement and appended their signatures to the MoU, committing themselves to promote transparency, support revenue collection processes, and encourage their subjects to comply with lawful payments and levies.
The Budget Advocacy Network described the engagement as part of its broader mission to strengthen local governance, promote citizen participation, and improve public financial management across Sierra Leone. According to BAN officials, empowering local authorities to effectively mobilise and manage resources is key to achieving sustainable development and reducing overdependence on central government funding.
The Karene dialogue is expected to serve as a model for other districts, demonstrating how constructive engagement between traditional authorities, local councils, and civil society can drive accountability, improve service delivery, and foster grassroots development.
