The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs’ Pioneering Role in the USAID-Funded BASE Project

Empowering Local Governance and Transparency: The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs’ Pioneering Role in the USAID-Funded BASE Project

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) is spearheading the USAID-funded BASE project, a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening local governance, transparency, and citizen engagement across six councils in Sierra Leone, including Kono, Moyamba, Karene, Falaba, and the Western Area Rural District Council (WARD-C). This ambitious project underscores the Ministry’s commitment to fostering accountable and participatory governance, a cornerstone for sustainable development in these regions.


In a strategic partnership with prominent local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), the Independent Radio Network (IRN), the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), and the 50/50 Group, the BASE project is designed to enhance decentralization efforts and ensure that governance processes are more inclusive and transparent.


A significant milestone in this initiative was marked by the recent signing of a Memorandum of 1Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the consortium of CSOs. This MoU is a testament to the Ministry’s resolve to bolster its monitoring and oversight functions, ensuring that the project's objectives are met with the highest standards of accountability. Minister Tamba Lamina and Deputy Minister Alfred Moi Jamiru have been at the forefront of this endeavor, leading teams of dedicated staff to conduct thorough evaluations of the project’s implementation in various districts.

During a comprehensive review in Kono and Moyamba, Minister Lamina directly addressed pressing challenges, including weak resource mobilization and insufficient community consultation. His engagements with council leaders focused on pivotal issues such as revenue generation, financial transparency, and the need for greater community involvement in decision-making processes. These discussions were not only insightful but also essential in identifying gaps and proposing actionable solutions to enhance local governance.


The review process concluded with a series of radio talk shows, where Minister Lamina and his team provided the public with updates on the project’s progress and encouraged an open dialogue on ways to further improve local governance. These public forums have proven to be an effective platform for fostering citizen participation and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and reflected in governance processes.


The BASE project, under the vigilant oversight of the MLGCA, represents a critical step towards building a more transparent, accountable, and participatory governance framework in Sierra Leone. As the project continues to unfold, it is expected to set new standards for local governance, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of national development and prosperity.


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