Bombali District Council

*NORTH-EAST REGION COUNCILS MARK NGO WEEK WITH A VIBRANT HEALTH WALK THROUGH MAKENI CITY*

Councils in the North-East Region have joined non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in celebrating NGO Week in the regional headquarters of Bombali District, Makeni City.

The event recognizes and enhances the role of NGOs in the region’s development, serving as a platform to celebrate and strengthen their effectiveness in Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu and Falaba districts.

This year’s theme is “Stronger Together: Collaboration, Sustainability and Local Empowerment"

Honouring their interventions and contributions in the chiefdoms of the four districts, stakeholders joined NGOs for a health walk through Makeni: from Wusum Field to the Bombali District Council via Major Streets.

Chairing the end of walk session at the Bombali District Council, Chairman Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay said NGOs serve as catalysts for development, advocates for the voiceless, and stewards of district transformation.

“Through their efforts, they empower individuals, promote human rights, and support sustainable initiatives that uplift communities,” he noted.

The chairman recognized NGOs in the North-East Region as champions of rural development, often reaching the unreachable. Drawing on his background as a development expert, he highlighted their vital work in rural communities.

The INGO and NNGO leads for Bombali District, GOAL Sierra Leone, and Madam Sierra Leone, all reaffirmed the support they received from the two sister councils: Bombali District Council and Makeni City Council. Both leads appreciated the coordination of the two Development and Planning Officers in helping NGOs meet government requirements.

Giving the keynote address, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay said her Ministry officially launched NGO Week 2026 on 19 February 2026, declaring a nationwide honouring of NGOs’ transformative contributions across Sierra Leone

“Our joint participation with NGOs affirms the government’s commitment to shared responsibility, coordination, and ensuring resources are used effectively for maximum impact, including reaching the last mile in communities,” Minister Barlay declared.

She confirmed that NGOs’ activities directly advance Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), targeting health, education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, human rights, and social justice

Minister Barlay outlined oversight systems, citing MoPED’s Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate and NGO Directorate.

“At district level, committees comprising system stakeholders and NGO leads meet regularly to monitor key initiatives. This approach improves coordination, avoids duplication, and ensures district plans emerge through full collaboration with local governments,” she explained.

*Ishmail Kamara*
*Information, Education, and Communication Officer*
*Bombali District Council*

**BUILD LOCAL REVENUE. BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES.**
*Sustainable development does not begin in the capital*—it begins in our chiefdoms, wards, towns, and villages.
When local councils generate and manage their own revenue, they gain the power to fix roads, improve schools, strengthen health services, support farmers, and grow local economies. Local revenue is local power.**
As Chairman of Bombali District Council, Chairman Sisay believes that rural communities are the engine of national progress. Development must be built from the ground up—through fair revenue collection, transparent management, and strategic investment in community priorities.
**From March 26th to 28th, 2026, Chairmen and Mayors from across Africa will gather in Abuja, Nigeria.** This historic conference will set the roadmap for stronger local revenue systems and sustainable development across the continent.
This is a call to Chairmen and Mayors across Africa:
Do not just run your councils—strengthen your revenue base.
Collect fairly. Spend wisely. Develop sustainably.
The future of Africa will not be decided only in capital cities.
It will be built in districts and municipalities—where strong revenue creates strong communities.
**Strong Revenue. Strong Councils. Strong Africa**

*CHAIRMAN SISAY INSPECTS 17KM FEEDER ROAD MAINTENANCE IN NGOWAHUN CHIEFDOM*

*(Kalangba Town, Ngowahun Chiefdom, 15th December, 2025.)* The Chairman of the Bombali District Council, Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay has inspected the ongoing 17 kilometre Feeder Road Maintenance along the Kalangba Town to Madina Loko axis in Ngowahun Chiefdom.

During the inspection, Dr. Sisay emphasized the Council’s commitment to connecting villages, farms, and small towns to the main highway of Kalangba Town and markets, noting that feeder roads are critical for agriculture, trade, access to health and education services.

The road maintenance is being implemented through the Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP), under a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bombali District Council which is aim at improving feeder road infrastructure across the district.

Community members expressed appreciation for the ongoing works, highlighting several positive impacts. Simeon Mansary, an ‘okada’ rider along the Kalangba Town to Madina Loko route, noted that the upgraded road has not only enabled him to travel faster and make more money but has also reduced wear and tear on his motorcycle, allowing it to last longer.

The Chairman expressed satisfaction with both the quality of the maintenance work and the labour based approach, which has ensured significant participation of women in the project.

The overall objective of the feeder road maintenance is to improve maternal and child health outcomes, enhance safe transportation, support the Free Quality Education Programme, and enhance economic and agricultural development along Kalangba Town to Madina Loko and their catchment areas.

The road will serve as a primary feeder route for the beneficiary communities, linking Madina Loko Town to the Ngowahun Chiefdom headquarters of Kalangba, thereby bringing development and public awareness closer to the people.

The rehabilitation and maintenance of feeder roads have been devolved to the Bombali District Council, and the International Labour Organization has been providing financial support to enable the Council to effectively carry out this mandate

*Ishmail Kamara*
*Information, Education, and Communication Officer*
*Bombali District Council*

*CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO COUNCILOR KABBAH KOROMA ON YOUR CALL TO THE BAR*

On behalf of the leadership, administration, and the entire family of the Bombali District Council, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, Councilor CRL Kabbah Koroma, on your successful call to the Bar.

This remarkable achievement is not only a personal triumph but a proud moment for the entire Bombali District Council. Your dedication, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence have positioned you as an inspiration to your peers and a beacon of hope to the communities you serve.

As you step into this noble legal profession, may your voice be one of justice, integrity, and advocacy for the voiceless. We are confident that you will use this new platform to continue championing the cause of good governance, service delivery, and the rule of law.

May your journey be filled with wisdom, bold leadership, and continued success. The Council is proud of you — continue to shine.

*Dr. Mohamed M. B. Sisay*
*Chairman, Bombali District Council*

*Bombali District Council Staff Shine at the All Works of Life Awards*

Three prestigious awards were presented to staff of the Bombali District Council during the 2025 Bombali District All Works of Life Awards ceremony.

Gender Officer Abdul Hassan Kamara emerged as the Council Staff of the Year 2025.

Chief Administrator Abdul Koroma received both an Honorary Recognition Award and the title of Distinguished Chief Administrator of the Year.

Chairman Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay was also honoured with an Honorary Recognition Award and named Distinguished Chairman of the Year 2025.

The awards were organized by the Save Our Youth Initiative Sierra Leone, which recognised these three personalities from the Council for their outstanding interventions in the Bombali District.

*Ishmail Kamara*
*Information Education and Communication Officer Bombali District Council*

*BOMBALI DISTRICT COUNCIL AND MAKENI CITY COUNCIL END 2025 DDCC IN REFLECTION*

Today's District Development Coordination Committee meeting (DDCC) Session was a moment of reflection on the key impact on service delivery in Bombali District for the year ending 2025.

Making his opening remarks, BombaliDistrictCouncil Chairman, Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders and implementing partners in boosting service delivery for both Makeni City and the district at large.

He said the DDCC has enhanced inclusive governance through accountability, improved cordination, ownership, and transparency.

Chairman Sisay hailed the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the Ministry of Local Government for strengthening DDCC Meetings, adding that their technical backstopping was crucial to the success achieved for the year under review.

He disclosed that the Council continued to enjoy a cordial working relationship with Paranount Chiefs and other duty bearers in the district, citing their incredible impact on sustainable development.

The Chairman, Council of Paramount Chiefs intimated that the DDCC has immensely contributed to the overall transformation of their chiefdoms. He said the synergies and collaboration have harvested positive development outcomes across the 12 Chiefdoms in Bombali.

The Development and Planning Officer Bombali, Yarawah Kargbo, thanked development partners for their shared vision and commitment to improving local service delivery.

He encouraged all to maintain the same energy as the two councils geared towards the new year, 2026.

DPO Yarawa Kargbo described DDCC as success and underscored the need for partners to allign their development plans with both Makeni City and District Council new Development Plans.

The Mayor of Makeni City Council, Abubakarr Kamara, said both the City and the District Council consider the DDCC as an ideal platform for coordination of development programs. He registered strong political will and support in the sustainability of the DDCC.

Other speakers thanked the two councils, especially the development and planning units, for their tireless efforts in ensuring the regular conduct of the DDCC meetings.

*Ishmail Kamara*
*Information Education and Communication Officer Bombali District Council*

*BOMBALI DISTRICT COUNCIL AND MAKENI CITY COUNCIL LAUNCH AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENT PLANS*

```Participatory Development```

*(Bombali District Council Hall: 11th December, 2025)* In a significant stride toward strengthening local governance and improving service delivery, the Bombali District Council and the Makeni City Council have jointly launched their comprehensive development plans aimed at accelerating growth, enhancing social services, and fostering sustainable development across their respective jurisdictions.

Both the District Council Chairman, Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay and the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Abubakarr Kamara ("Lamtales") pledge full implementation of the documents for 2026 to 2030.

*Ishmail Kamara*
```Information, Education and Communication Officer```
```Bombali District Council```

*Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay, District Council Chairman interventions for the month of September and October 2025*

*CHAIRMAN SISAY WELCOMES COUNTRY DIRECTOR OF WFP*

The Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Bombali District Council, Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay.

Chairman Sisay warmly welcomed the Country Director to Bombali District, noting that the visit symbolizes a strong and growing partnership between the Bombali District Council and the WFP Country Office in Sierra Leone.

During the meeting, the Chairman presented a proposal to the WFP Country Director, highlighting the district’s commitment to supporting the Government’s flagship initiative on food self-sufficiency.

In response, Mr. Andrew Odero, WFP Country Director, expressed appreciation for the Council’s collaboration and commendation of WFP’s interventions in the district. He further noted that the proposal from the Bombali District Council was timely, as WFP is currently in the process of developing its strategic plan for the upcoming year’s activities.

*Bombali District Council Information and Communication Unit*

*CHAIRMAN SISAY JOINS MUNAFA-M’PATIE IN CERTIFYING 50 GRADUATES IN SKILLS TRAINING*

The Chairman of the Bombali District Council, Dr. Mohamed Mark Barbah Sisay, in collaboration with the Munafa-M’Patie Federation in Bombali District, has certified fifty (50) young graduates who successfully completed training in various vocational skills, including Tailoring, Plumbing, Mechanics, and Home Management.

The certification ceremony, held at the Bombali District Council Hall, saw Chairman Sisay commend the graduates for their dedication and hard work. He encouraged them to take their newly acquired skills back to their communities to empower others and contribute to reducing unemployment across the district. He appreciated the Federation for what he termed as filling the gap as not all are able to make it to formal education.

According to Mr. Musa Sanu Konteh, Manager of the Bombali District Federation, the beneficiaries underwent intensive training through the My Sponsorship Journey program and have each received start-up kits to help them begin their own ventures.

*Bombali District Council Information and Communication Unit*

https://youtu.be/JM0aJXOzKOs?si=vbN_kBg7G1f2Vlbj

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