By Mariama Benovia Davies
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Amb. Tamba John Lamina, has outlined the key governance issues that will shape discussions at the forthcoming National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference 2026, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities and local communities to enhance security, governance and sustainable development.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Weekly Press Conference held at the Miatta Civic Centre on Tuesday, 28th July 2026, under the theme “National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference 2026: Strengthening Chieftaincy for Security and Governance,” the Minister said the conference would provide an inclusive platform for constructive dialogue on some of the country’s most pressing governance challenges.
Addressing public discussions surrounding land administration, Amb. Lamina acknowledged the increasing debate on social media regarding land-related issues. He noted that, rather than responding to individual public commentaries, the Government has invited the Ministry of Lands to participate in the conference to provide expert guidance and facilitate informed discussions. According to him, bringing all relevant stakeholders together will promote greater public understanding of land governance issues and encourage practical solutions.
The Minister also identified conflict prevention and conflict resolution as major priorities for the conference, stressing that security and governance remain closely interconnected. He further explained that environmental sustainability has become an equally important governance concern due to its impact on communities and livelihoods. Consequently, environmental management and its relationship to peace and development will form part of the conference’s second-day deliberations.
He described the conference as an interactive national dialogue rather than a series of lectures, noting that participants will actively engage in discussions on practical governance issues affecting chiefdoms and local councils. Among the major topics to be examined will be the effective functioning of Chiefdom Committees, which serve as the principal decision-making bodies within chiefdom administrations. He explained that these committees enable Paramount Chiefs and other local leaders to make collective decisions that promote transparency, accountability and inclusive governance while reducing the likelihood of disputes arising from unilateral decision-making.
Amb. Lamina further disclosed that the conference will, for the first time since his appointment as Minister, bring together all major local governance institutions under one platform. He described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening institutional coordination, fostering collaboration and ensuring that all governance actors work collectively to promote effective local administration and national development.
According to the Minister, one of the recurring challenges within local governance has been the overlap of institutional responsibilities, particularly regarding revenue generation and revenue sharing. These misunderstandings, he noted, have occasionally resulted in unnecessary disputes among local authorities. To address these concerns, the conference will facilitate discussions involving the Ministry of Finance, development partners and other relevant institutions to review existing revenue-sharing mechanisms and strengthen compliance with established frameworks. He added that amendments to relevant legislation, including the Chieftaincy Act, may also be considered to reinforce the legal framework governing traditional administration.
Turning to chieftaincy elections, Amb. Lamina highlighted the significant progress made in improving the transparency, credibility and accountability of the electoral process. He explained that the Ministry has introduced comprehensive readiness mechanisms to ensure that chiefdoms are adequately prepared before elections are conducted. According to him, these preparations include extensive stakeholder engagement, civic sensitisation and confidence-building measures aimed at ensuring that all participants understand the process and accept democratic outcomes.
The Minister noted that these interventions have substantially reduced tensions associated with chieftaincy elections across the country. While acknowledging that such elections can naturally generate strong emotions, he commended Ministry officials for their continuous engagement with communities to promote dialogue, build consensus and address grievances before polling takes place. This proactive approach, he said, has contributed to more peaceful elections and increased public confidence in the integrity of the process.
Concluding his remarks, Amb. Lamina reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to conducting peaceful, credible and transparent chieftaincy elections throughout Sierra Leone. He stressed that while adequate preparations may sometimes require additional time, it is preferable to postpone an election than to proceed when communities are not fully prepared. He expressed confidence that the forthcoming National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference 2026 will strengthen collaboration between traditional authorities, government institutions and development partners, while advancing peace, good governance and sustainable development across Sierra Leone.
