Posted January 29, 2018 by Solomon Yarjoh

Fakunya chiefdom showcases impact of People’s Planning Process

A cross section of facilitators

Community members from Fakunya chiefdom in the Moyamba distict have explained at the donor roundtable and dialogue forum how the People’s Planning Process(PPP) which started three years ago,has impacted them in their various sections,as most places are now working in relative peace to develop their communities.

Fakunya partcipants were at the Bintumani hotel in Freetown on January 23,2018 to share and interact with donor partners,government officials and various heads of organizations what they achieved within a very short period.The forum was organized under the auspices of the National Steering Committee of Wan Fambul in collaboration with Fambul Tok,Catalyst For Peace,the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Ulster University.

In his remarks,Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,Maya Moiwo Kaikai said his Minstry is partnering with Fambul Tok and Catalyst For Peace to ensure that the People’s Planning Process is cascaded in all chiefdoms in the country.He gave a brief background on how he became interested in the process two years back,and had to engage President Koroma.

Some members of Fakunya Chiefdom Inclusive CommitteeExif_JPEG_420

Some members of Fakunya Chiefdom Inclusive Committee during their rotational meeting in Gandorhun

He said in mid 2017,President Koroma gave an executive clearance to the Wan Fambul initiative to be adopted by the Government of Sierra Leone,through the Ministry of Local Gvernment and Rural Development.

Minister Kaikai said the wan fambul partnership will lead to effective collaboration to implement the PPP nationwide,adding that if resources are focussed on communities it will be easier for development.He encouraged organizations to work with Government for the realization of the PPP.

Minister of State,Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning,Momoh Vandi said the national framework for ‘wan fambul’ provides an opportunity for the government to learn more and strategise how to engage communities

He said effecive engagement with relative stakeholders will add value to the process by not only ensuring effecive implementation but also contribute to the development of appropriate tools for monitoring and evaluation

Executive Director of Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone said the PPP is designed to ensure policy makers,project implementing organizations and other community based initiatives listen to communities and invlove them in development process.

He said having piloted the process in Kailahun,Koinadugu and Moyamba districts for the past three years,and having developed the wan fambul framework to cascade the process nationwide,he is convinced that government and other organizations will support the initiative

Meeting in progress at Bintumani hotel

Lead Strategist and International Advisor,Angi-Yoder-Maina,going through the framework said it offers a vision of the whole,inter-connected Sierra Leone undivided by region,ethnicity and partisan affliliation.She explained that the wan fambul national framework will support communities to mend several cracks which continue to keep them apart.

President,Catalyst For Peace,Libby Hoffman,through demonstration of a ‘cracked cup; said communities will not develop if they remain divided as a result of conflict and other social issues.She said it will be a complete waste of resources,and unsustained efforts if monies are poured into communities that are not together.

However the Fakunya peole presented their chiefdom planw which has details of how each village and sectional towns want to implement what is in the plan.

One of the sections,however showcased how peace mothers have aquired the sum of Le15 million through their micor credit scheme.

Posted November 15, 2017 by Solomon Yarjoh

National Framework for Inclusive Governance launched

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development,Maya Moiwo Kaikai has launched the first phase of the “Wan Fambul”-the national framework for inclusive governance and local development.The launching took place at the Radisson Blu conference hall,Aberdeen in Freetown on Tuesday,November 14,2017.

Handing over Delmandugu Chiefdom development plan to the Minister

Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone and its partner,Catalyst for Peace,a US foundation that is working with Fambul Tok since its inception a decade ago last year partnered with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to open the way for a national peoples planning process.

Speaking at the occassion,Mr.Kaikai said he was impressed and moved when he was invited by Fambul Tok to the Taiama meeting last November which was aimed at improving inclusive governance especially in local commnities.

He went on to state that having heard from community members their roles and responsibilities in governance,he had no alternative but to take the idea to the Government which had cabinet endorsement few months ago.

A cross section of participants

“My Government attaches tremendous importance to the issue of inclusion and decentralized governance to take developmet to the doorsteps of local communities”He stressed.

He emphasised that his Ministry has intensified its engagement with Fambul Tok and Catalyst for Peace to exlore possibilities of upscaling the initiative and eventually ensuring that all Local Councils benefit from it,and more importantly,the Government takes ownership of the process.

According to the Executive Director of Fambul Tok,John Caulker,the framework will effectively be supported by Government,national and international civil society organizations and donors.

He said for the past year,the Ministry has formed a new partnership with Fambul Tok and Catalyst for Peace with the goal to develop the “wan fambul” national framework for inclusive governance,adding that the initiative outlines a holistic commnity owned and led process leading to a national peole’s plan which is built on the learning from a 3o months comprehensive pilot process in Kailahun,Moyamba and Koinadugu districts

Minister congrats Paramount chief of the new Delamndugu chiefdom

Chairman of the occasion who is also Director of Decentralization,Alhassan Joseph Kanu said for the effectiveness of the process,they have constituted steering and teachincal committees to facilitate the initiative.He said the launch of the phase one of the inclusive governance and the unveiling of the steering and technical committees demonstrates the seriousness government attaches to the process.

However the Delmandugu Chiefdom plan was also showcased as community members in the newly craeted Falaba district explained to the peole’s planning process

Posted October 18, 2017 by Solomon Yarjoh

Upper Bambara endorses Chiefdom Plan

Stakeholders including elders,women’s leaders,youth and community members from all six sections in Upper Bambara chiefdom,Kailahun District have reviewed their Chiefdom development plan and unanimously endorsed the document.The event took place on September 28,2017 at the Pendembu community centre.

Endorsing the plan by raising of hands

Speaking at the occasion,Chiefdom speaker,Stephen Gbessay Babawo on behalf of the Paramount Chief who was unavoidably absent referred to the chiefdom plan as one of the best in the history of the chiefdom.He said Fambul Tok is the very first organization in the country to work with communities to develop such document that captures activities of every village in the post ebola recovery phase.

He lamented over the acitivities of some organizations who have been implementing projects without the involvement of communities.

“After the war many projects that were designed for communities did not benefit people for the fact that communities were not consulted right from the planning stage to the end and therefore today poverty still remains in our midst” Chief Babawo emphasised

He continued” Involving communities to plan what they want and what resources they have contributes immensely to rural development and growth”

The newly formed chiefdom executive

Chief Babawo called on Local Council and development partners in the district to work with community members for the implementation of the plan.

“If you go through the plan you will realise that every village has its priority needs to guide potential implementing partners to avoid duplication and waste of resources”Chief Babawo emphasised.

developing mandates of the Chiefdom Inclusive Committee

Kailahun District Council Development and Planning Officer,Adu Vandi Kondorvoh in his remarks said development starts with communities and therefore encouraged members to embrace it.

He went on to state that Local Council brings development to the doors of rural communities and therefore people should not see Council as enemy.

“The taxes and other charges communities pay to Council are sent back to chiefdoms for developmet purposes but if you dont pay how do you expect progress” Kondorvoh stressed.He also encouraged chiefdoms to pay taxes,adding that the Inclusive District Committee should be praised for facilitating the joint revenue collection between Chiefdoms and Council.

However,the chiedom plan was reviewed page by page to make corrections and amendemnts through the input of various participants and was graciously endorsed and accepted by the people of Upper Bambara.

The Chiefdom Inclusive Committee was also formed and its executive formed

Posted October 17, 2017 by Solomon Yarjoh

Fambul Tok raises concerns over 2018 General elections

Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone has been following recent discussions and pronouncement surrounding doubt about the overall conduct of the March 7th 2018 general elections that warrants some attention as a peacebuilding organization.

It could be rccalled that the National Electoral Commission earlier this year declared March 7,2018 as the date for the conduction of Local Council,Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

Members of the press listening to the Executive Director John Caulker

After this pronouncement,Fambul Tok has observed with grave concern,divergent opinions,statements and counter statements from various political parties including the All People’s Party(APC) and the main opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party(SLPP) regarding issues relating to the proper conduct of next year’s general elections.Similar views are being echoed by some sections of civil society.

Fambul Tok will like to remind our political leaders that maintaining the peace of this country largely depends on the conduct of a credible and fair elctions and they therefore owe it to citizens of this country especially women and children.We are therefore appealing to their good conscience to see reason and seek an acceptable compromise as a solution that will guarantee and allay the fears of the general public about the process itself,rather than ignore the concerns that will ultimately sow seeds of elections related conflict and undermine the credibility and legality of the entire elections process.

Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone,a Sierra Leonean peacebuilding organization,therefore calls on the Government,political parties,the Political Parties Registration Commission(PPRC),National Electoral Commission(NEC),Civil Society organizations,religious leaders and the International Community to engage in a frank and hard conversation that will lead to a lasting and acceptable solution regarding these legitimate concerns.

Posted November 22, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

District Councils agree to cascade People’s Planning Process

District Local Council chairmen of Moyamba,Kailahun and Koinadugu have unanimously agreed to cascade the People’s Planning Process(PPP) to all chiefdoms in the three districts and with the best practices and learnings the process will be rolled out to other parts of the country.The PPP is design to ensure that policy makers,project implementing organizations and other community based initiatives listen to communities and involve them in the post ebola development processes.

Participants at the end of the three days conference in Taiama

This idea was developed to respond to the post ebola prevention,healing and recovery for development of communities

During a three-day inter-district learning and sharing conference on November 10th-12th,2016 at Taia resort,Taiama in Moyamba district,organized by Fambul Tok and Catalyst For Peace,the three chairmen(Prof.Herbert Bob Kandeh-Moyamba,Sheku Samuel Kamara of Koinadugu and Alex Bonafa of Kailahun,after series of discussions with members of the Inclusive District Peace and Development Committees(IDPDC) came to a conclusion to replicate the People’s Planning Process in all chiefdoms

John addresses his audience

In his contribution,Prof.Herbert B.Kandeh of Moyamba District Council mentioned that his institution is ready to support the People’s Planning Process in the district for the development of communities.He said it is a good initiative and therefore even in the absence of Fambul Tok and Catalyst For Peace they will not allow it to fail.He stated the successful conduction of IDPDC meetings and peaceful intervention of members to settle the problem between MSF construction construction company and youth.

Koinadugu District Chairman,who chaired discussion sessions on Day one,Sheku Samuel Kamara stated that he will work with his colleagues and other partners working in the district to harmonize the People’s Planning Process into Council’s activities.He mentioned the successes one of which is the construction of a 80 metre bridge that links two districts.He said the project would not have kicked off without the initiative of Fambul Tok community engagements.He extended thanks and appreciation to Catalyst For Peace for supporting the process.

Bonafa chairs Day three session

Chairman,Kailahun District Council,Lawyer Alex Bonafa said community engagements in all spheres of work are important,adding that when the people resolve to do anything government must follow and therefore called on Government to support the planning process for the development of communities.He assured that the PPP will be a part of Kailahun District Council’s development plan as everyone will be involved to development the district

President, Catalyst For Peace, Libby Hoffman gave a brief background of how he came across the founder of Fambul Tok,John Caulker and how the partnership has been strenghthened over the past nine years

Executive Director of Fambul Tok International,John Caulker explained the initiative of the People’s Planning Process.He said it is a product of a nine-year community healing and reconciliation activities of Fambul Tok and Catalyst For Peace.

Traditional leaders including Paramount Chiefs from all three districts hailed the process and promised to market the idea to other chiefdoms

One of the objectives of the conference was to provide an overview of the People’s Planning Process,and to gain an understanding of the core elements of IDPDC formation,for new and potential partners and for working in new districts

Posted October 13, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

Kailahun stakeholders agree on joint revenue collection

One of the several problems that continue to affect development of Kailahun district has to do with sour relationships among traditional leaders(Paramount Chiefs) and Councilors

A cross section of Paramount Chiefs

It is evident that there are poor working relationships which contribute to the backwardness and underdevelopment especially in post ebola communities

There are instances where traditional leaders are accused of not paying chiefdom and other charges to the Kailahun District Council alleging Council has not undertaken any development programmes in their chiefdoms

Equally,the District Council is blaming traditional leaders of not paying precepts to Council.The trend continues

The Inclusive District Peace and Development Committee members, after independent investigations found out that the sad situation is responsible for the many challenges and without delay a date was set to bring local authorities and Councilors together.The meeting was held in Pendembu where both parties discussed issues and suggested solutions to them.The Pendembu meeting was successful as it laid firm foundation for peace and the beginining of cooperation to raise the much needed own source revenue

After the Pendembu meeting,the Paramount Chiefs set a date for their usual monthly meeting in Daru.The IDPDC used the opportunity to facilitate the process and invited Councilors to that meeting to resolve the issue of revenue generation

Paramount Chief of Penguia…Jibrilla addressing his audience

In the Daru meeting over the weekend,stakeholders including Councilors,Paramount Chiefs and Community members unanimously agreed to collaborate and jointly collect revenue for the development of chiefdoms .It was a family meeting as both Councilors and tradional leaders mingled with each other.

In his remarks,District Officer Kailahun,Gadiru Kabba emphasized the need for effective revenue collection for the development of the district.He said in the interest of peace the people of Kailahun have to work together to harmonize revenue collection.

Executive Director,Fambul Tok International-Sierra Leone said the issue of revenue collection in Kailahun has been very thorny especially when both Council and Local authorities accused each other of non- compliance.

He said both parties should strategize effectively to work together and raise revenue for the development of the district.

Chairman,Kailahun District Council,Alex Bhonapha appreciated the efforts of Fambul Tok for its tremendous work to bring Councilors and local authorities together to discuss pertinent issues on revenue generation.

PC Henry Baion reconciles with Chairman of Kailahun District Council…Alex Bhonapha

He said over the past two years there have been lots of issues especially dealing with revenue generation.He stated that the framers of the local government Act of 2004 did not cascade the Act to the understanding of the people.He said he welcomed the idea of working together with chiefdom authorities to get the much needed resources for the development of the district.

At the end of the meeting,Paramount Chiefs and Council agreed on percentages.The Council is expected to get 60% and Chiefdoms will get 40% of total revenue collected each year.

In the interest of accountability and transparency an agreement was reached for Council to print new receipt books to be signed by Council and Paramount Chiefs

However in the next meeting of Council of Paramount Chiefs,local authorities will present what they agreed on and endorse the decision.The printing of receipts will be done in four weeks and joint revenue collection starts after that.

Posted September 15, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

IDPDC collaborates with District Office for peaceful elections

A team of civil society activists,youth representatives and members of the Koinadugu Inclusive District Peace and Development Committee will leave Kabala township tomorrow,September 16,2016 for Falaba and other villages in the Sulima chiefdom.

The rationale behind the visit is to sensitize community members and intending candidates for the sectional and township elections in Sulima chiefdom.The elections are slated before the end of the year.

meeting in progress

About two months ago,the Inclusive Committee played a vital tole towards the restoration of Chiefdom Speaker of Sulima that was suspended alongside other chiefs for violation of the ebola bye laws last year.

After his restoration,the District Office in Koinadugu scheduled dates for the conduction of sectional and townships elections in that chiefdom.The process was postponed due to the misunderstanding of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009.

According to some community members, those who were in acting positions before the declaration of dates for the elections had thought they are already qualified to contest.Some were even alleged to have said that since they have already acted in their various capacities there was no need to change them.

A date was set by the District Office to conduct elections but due to the momentum everything was put on hold.

Chief Kamara-PRO 1, IDPDC and team member

According to the District Officer,Ajina Mansaray,the Chieftaincy Act of 2009 stipulates that in order for a candidate who acts for a specific period to be qualified for both sectional/town chief elections,he/she should resign six months before the elections but not much sensitization has been done to teach community members on the provisions in the Act.

In its end of month executive meeting,IDPDC resolved in partnership with other civil society to collaborate with District Office to sensitize community members on the Chieftaincy Act so that they could be reasonable enough to understand the process and allow the smooth and peaceful conduction of elections.

The team will hold town hall meetings with community members in different locations.

Posted September 14, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

Moyamba stakeholders meet to harmonize revenue collection

For the past years,the collection of revenue(property tax,local tax,evacuation fees etc) by local authorities on one hand and the Moyamba District Council on the other had been very difficult.This is the fact that the relationships between local authorities and Council have not been cordial.This could also be attributed to the unclear and undefined roles each party should play as stated in the Local Government Act.

Prof. Kandeh briefs the audience

According to Council,it has not been receiving revenue from chiefdoms for the past years.On the other hand local authorities have equally accused Council of not getting their own share of taxes collected in their various chiefdoms .

These allegations and counter allegations continue and affect development of communities.

Due to this ugly situation,the Moyamba Inclusive District Peace and Development Committee(IDPDC) has,at the end of a one day executive meeting resolved to organize a forum for community members,Paramount chiefs,Members of Parliament and Councilors.

The rationale behind the dialogue is to discuss pertinent issues especially those dealing with property and local taxes and the collection of revenue in all 14 chiefdoms in the Moyamba district.

audience in rapt attention

In his statement at the meeting on September 5,2016 at the Council hall in Moyamba,Chairman,Moyamba District Council,Prof Herbert Bob Kandeh,who is also chair of the Moyamba IDPDC,said there are series of problems in own revenue collection by Council.He told his audience that initially when the Local Government Act came into existence,it worked very well in the first three years but problems started arising few years back due to the unclear roles and responsibiilties of both local authorities and Council.

He said there is every need for IDPDC to convene a dialogue forum to discuss issues surrounding revenue collection as it will be clearly explained who should do what

Prof. Kandeh said although Government plans to review the Act,stakeholders will also look at it and find ways how they could work together to raise revenue and how it would be shared among Council and communities.

A cross section of IDPDC members from other districts

Paramount Chief Foday Momoh Gulama of Kaiyamba chiefdom lamented over the manner of tax collection by Council.He said because communities are not benefiting from Council,most chiefdoms have stopped paying taxes few years back.He said traditional leaders should be involved in every aspect of development if Council wants to succeed.

Hon.James Alie appreciated the efforts of Fambul Tok and the committee. He called for possible ways to bring Councilors and community members together so that the issue of taxation should be properly explained.He said if this is not done,revenue generation and collection will continue to lag behind.

Executive Director,Fambul Tok,John Caulker disclosed the hosting of the inter-district conference in November.He said the idea is bring together community members from the three pilot districts of Moyamba,Kailahun and Koinadugu to share ideas and learn from each other.He emphasized that the conference will look at what worked and what did not work for the past year so that proper planning will be done to roll out the People’s Planning Process

Posted September 2, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

Fambul Tok writes President Koroma

In an open letter to His Excellency President Dr.Ernest Bai Koroma,dated 23rd August 2016,Fambul Tok International Sierra Leone has called for an independent and inclusive panel of investigation into the violence in Koinadugu and Moyamba districts.

Please Read on:

FAMBUL TOK LETTER

Posted September 1, 2016 by Solomon Yarjoh

IDPDC to engage chiefs,Councilors to resolve impasse

The Kailahun Inclusive District and Peace and Development Committee(IDPDC) in its first meeting has resolved to organize a one day stakeholders’s meeting at the end of the month to settle numerous challenges and the way forward for the development of the District.

IDPDC meeting at Luawa resort in Kailahun

One of the major challenges in the district is the growing tension among Paramount Chiefs and the Kailahun District Council which has been existence for a very long time now.

There were instances when traditional leaders were accused of not paying chiefdom and other charges to the District Council for the fact that Council,for the past four years has not brought any development to their communities.

Kailahun IDPDC Chairman.Hon.Fatorma

Meeting in progress

Equally so,the District Council is blaming traditonal leaders of not paying revenue collected from their various chiefdoms. These allegations and counter allegations continue resorting to sour relationships and backwardness of the entire district

According to Hon. Sahr Fatorma,chairman of IDPDC,he says ‘we should work very hard to bridge the gap between chiefs and council for the development of the district’.Hon. Fatorma emphasized that peace is important and if there are no good working relationships among stakeholders it will difficult for the progress of the district.

He went on to state that because of these problems,Kailahun remains under-develop and called on all to hands on deck to work in the interest of communities.

John makes a point

Hon.Fatorma assured all and sundry that irrespective of the problems, he is optimistic that after the meeting in Pendembu, Kailahun will go back to the glorious days as everyone will be brought on board.

The Executive Director,Fambul Tok,John Caulker gave an overview of the formation of district committees in Moyamba,Kailahun and Koinadugu. He said it is a framework to address district problems and highlight successes.He added that communities should take the lead in development process.He mentioned activities carried out by committees in their various districts.

Sharing her experience with the Kailahun committee,Hawa Conteh, a member of the Koinadugu District Committee highlighted successes such as resolving road construction and that of chieftaincy in the district.She said through the intervention of IDPDC members the suspended chiefdom speaker of Sulima chiefdom was reinstated.She also mentioned the setting up of a whatsapp group for effective communication purposes.She promised to share what she observed in the Kailahun meeting.

The Development and Planning Officer of the Moyamba District Council who is also Secretary to Moyamba IDPDC mentioned successes. Alhaji Ansumana explained the amicable settlement of the Moyamba road construction saga which nearly brought the exercise to a standstill.He said with the intervention of the committee the company has agreed to employ people from Moyamba district and consented to build the camp site in Tonkolili district because of technical reasons.

He was very confident as he disclosed the recovery of stolen solar batteries in Moyamba through the efforts of committee members and other stakeholders.

Having shared experiences,Hon. Fatorma appreciated both members of IDPDC in Moyamba and Koinadugu districts,stating that Kailahun Committee members have learnt a lot and promised to come to speed in terms of resolving issues.

As a proactive measure,the Kailahun IDPDC has set up a sub-committee to intervene in the recent suspension of two chiefs.