Tuesday 28th July 2026
Venue: Miatta Civic Center, Youyi Building
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Introduction
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ambassador Tamba John Lamina, together with the National Secretary General of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, Paramount Chief Fayia Sundufu Brima Sovula IV, briefed the nation on preparations for the 2026 National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference. The conference, which will be held under the theme Strengthening Chieftaincy for Security and Governance, is expected to bring together Paramount Chiefs, Regent Chiefs, local councils, the security sector and key government institutions to deepen collaboration on governance, peace and national development.
Constitutional Reforms and FGM Consultations Progress
The Strategic Communications Adviser at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, provided updates on major national developments. He informed the public that Parliament is currently debating the Constitutional Amendments Bill 2025, legislation aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s electoral processes while promoting broader democratic governance and economic development.
Mr. Nyallay also updated the nation on the Government’s ongoing consultations on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). He disclosed that the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has completed the initial investigative and consultative phase in Makeni, Bo and Freetown. According to him, the next phase will broaden engagements to include civil society organisations, traditional authorities and community groups to ensure wider national participation in the consultation process.
Historic National Paramount Chiefs Conference Set for Bo
Minister Ambassador Tamba John Lamina announced that Sierra Leone will, for the first time, host a National Paramount Chiefs Conference bringing together all Paramount Chiefs, Regent Chiefs, the security sector and the leadership of the country’s twenty-two local councils.
Scheduled to take place in Bo City from the 30th, to 1st August 2026, the conference will provide a national platform for dialogue on governance, peace, security and local development. The Minister further revealed that His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio will officially grace the opening ceremony on 30th July 2026.
Strengthening Governance Through Partnership
Speaking further on the objectives of the conference, Minister Lamina explained that several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will participate in the discussions to strengthen coordination between central government, traditional authorities and local councils.
He noted that participants will deliberate on critical national issues, including environmental management, conflict prevention and conflict resolution mechanisms. According to the Minister, the conference is designed to deepen partnerships that will enhance effective governance and accelerate national development across the country.
Paramount Chief Elections Becoming More Peaceful
Providing an update on Paramount Chief elections nationwide, Minister Lamina stated that the Ministry has continued to conduct free, fair and credible elections. He observed that tensions surrounding these elections have significantly declined over the years, with many now being conducted peacefully and in a celebratory atmosphere.
He attributed this progress to sustained reforms and effective collaboration between the Ministry, traditional authorities and local stakeholders.
Mining Revenues to Deliver Greater Community Development
On the issue of mining revenue, Minister Lamina disclosed that Government is at an advanced stage of developing a comprehensive framework to ensure that mining communities derive greater benefits from the country’s natural resources.
He explained that the initiative seeks to channel mining revenues into tangible development projects such as roads, electricity and water supply within affected communities. The Minister commended the vision of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for introducing a legislation that allocates 1% of mining revenues directly to host communities, describing it as a significant step towards inclusive and equitable development.
Paramount Chiefs Reaffirm Commitment to Peace and National Security
The National Secretary General of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, Paramount Chief Fayia Sundufu Brima Sovula IV of Kamajei Chiefdom, Moyamba District, emphasized that the forthcoming conference will place national security at the centre of its deliberations.
He observed that Paramount Chiefs continue to play an indispensable role in promoting peace, stability and social cohesion across Sierra Leone. According to him, the conference is timely, particularly because there has been a long period without a comprehensive national engagement between Government and the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy. He expressed confidence that the gathering will provide practical solutions to many of the governance and community challenges confronting the country.
Improved Collaboration Between Chiefdom and Local Councils
Paramount Chief Sovula further highlighted the growing collaboration between Chiefdom Councils and Local Councils. He explained that representation of Paramount Chiefs within Local Councils has improved considerably, increasing from a single representative in many districts to between three and four Paramount Chiefs.
He also disclosed that significant progress has been made in strengthening revenue collection and distribution arrangements between the two institutions. According to him, the existing revenue-sharing formula now provides for a 60-40 distribution, reflecting improved cooperation and accountability in local governance.
©Ministry of Information and Civic Education
