Posted by Abdul Rashid

Fambul Tok Trains Bendugu Chiefdom Welfare and Mediation Committee

 

Fambul Tok (FT) staff facilitate Community Welfare Mediation Committee (CWMC) training in Bendugu Section, #Sengbe  chiefdom, #Koinadugu District, northern #SierraLeone. The Section Chief, Mr. Mohamed Sesay, heartily welcomes participants including youths, women, religious leaders and chiefdom stakeholders.

FT Staff Issa Kamara and Hawa Conteh lead facilitation on peace-building skills, mediation, community reconciliation, communication skills, basic project management, leadership, transparency and accountability, active listening skills, community cohesion and values of FT and dos and don’ts  of CWMC members.

Role Play by CWMC Members

FT Staff demonstrated the ‘Chinese Whisper’ in which a message to one of the participants was completely distorted by the time it reaches the 7th person. This enabled them to understand how poor communications can create conflicts in communities.

Section Mohammed Sesay Applauds CWMC

Section Chief Mohamed Sesay thanked Fambul Tok for this timely intervention as we count down towards general and presidential elections. A period that is always fraught with rivalry and partisan conflicts. CWMCs as part of FT community structures have been very instrumental in resolving conflicts in chiefdoms across our operational areas in the country.

 

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Diang Chiefdom Validates Peoples Plan.

Fambul Tok Staff facilitate the validation of Diang Chiefdom Peoples Plan in #Koinadugu district, northern #Sierra Leone. In attendance were the two councilors of the two political wards (153 & 154) of the chiefdom, the Paramount Chief’s representative, the Treasury Clerk, Civil Society Organizations representatives, People With Disability reps, Section Chiefs, Community reps

Diang Validation Participants

and a host of key stakeholders drawn from across the chiefdom.

 

Kongblifeh, Kongblifeh, Fullah, Kondembaia, Sosanfeh, Madrifeh and Sokurella sections went through the aspect of the document that deals with their respective sectional needs and activities. Corrections were made where necessary and additional aspects were captured in lively group works.The councilor of ward 154, Mr Francis Foray Koroma in giving the vote of thanks, expressed his profound gratitude on behalf of the people of Diang Chiefdom for such a gathering, which according to him, is clear manifestation of Fambul Tok’s peoples centeredness in all their interventions.

“Fambul Tok, we are very proud and grateful because you value us as community people.” He concluded.

The participant promise to report the deliberations to their various locations when they return and assured Fambul Tok of full ownership of the plan as a road map to the chiefdom’s development.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Validation of Kamajei Chiefdom Plan

Kamajei Participants in Validation Session

Fambul Tok facilitates representatives from all seven sections in the Kamajei chiefdom, #Moyamba district, southern #SierraLeone, including chiefdom leaders, women’s representatives, Community Welfare and Mediation Committee (CWMC) members to meet in Gondama town to validate their chiefdom development plan for recovery and resilience.

Chiefdom Speaker Jeremy Lamboi welcome participants and says he is one of the happiest men in the chiefdom because of the successful validation of the plan. He said chiefdom development is very key and praised Fambul Tok for bringing up the idea of People’s Planning Process. He said: “Today’s gathering will cross check the development process each village has done as planned in the chiefdom document for the past two years. This will determine our level of development and progress so far”.

Emmanuel Mansaray explained how the chiefdom development coordination com

Kamajei Validation Participants

mittee will be formed and added that the committee will be responsible to develop and submit chiefdom plans to local council for appropriate action. He said the committee will report directly to the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) before the DDCC meets at any given time.

In the meeting an interim body to supervise the implementation process of the plan was set up until the official formation of the Chiefdom Development Coordinating Committee) CDCC by the Government of Sierra Leone through the  Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the Wan Fambul Framework.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Soa Chiefdom Yearns For Community Radio

The Soa chiefdom, in kono district eastern Sierra Leone, identifies as one of their felt needs a vibrant community radio that will disseminate useful public information to stem the circulation of rumours, manage community expectations and prevent conflicts that hinder development. Paramount Chief Emmanuel Torchel Tamba  Foryo says as part

PC Foryo takes CDCC members on conducted tour of radio site

of their new outlook in development of owning the process, they have started the construction of the building to house the station entirely from their own resources and are looking forward to Fambul Tok support for equipment and training.” You have trained us how to build our community infrastructure in a sustainable way through our document the chiefdom development plan. We are open to support from government and development partners but in line with our plan. We are happy for the support of Fambul Tok, International Assistance Support team and UNDP (UN Peace-building Fund)”.

 

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Soa Chiefdom Showcases First Chiefdom Development Plan

Fambul Tok and Kono District Council hold Soa Chiefdom Development Coordinating Committee meeting (CDCC) to showcase their plan.  The peoples planning process (PPP) is an inside out process that captures the needs of the sections (CDCC) and cascades it to the district development plan (through the District Development Coordinating Committee)

Soa Chiefdom holds CDDC Meeting

that factors into the national development plan (MTDF).

 

In his welcome statement Soa Paramount Chief (PC) Emmanuel Tamba Torchel Foryo describes the engagement with Fambul Tok as a God sent opportunity. “Now we have realized that misunderstandings among us have stalled our development. Fambul Tok has opened our eyes. They supported the development of our chiefdom development plan. Now we have a road map for council, government, NGOs and investors about our felt needs. Now we own the development process!”

Fambul Tok Executive Director (FT ED) John Caulker said he is proud to be part of Soa chiefdom. He assures the chiefdom that government is committed to the PPP process and for the first time in history government has committed resource to the peoples planning process activities in the national budget. Our role is to get the villages and sections engaged with the process. He says he will like to see more women in meetings and asks the chiefdom and council to navigate ways how the can support meetings and activities in order to own up the process. “Fambul Tok and Partners are not going to be here forever. He asks the PC to make the chiefdom meetings rotational.

Decentralization Secretariat (DECSEC) Mustapha Korjie explains the importance of (MLG&RD) and emphasizes government priority on sustainable development and community ownership of the decentralization process.

Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) Kallon emphasizes the special relationship between Fambul Tok and government as a first of its kind and asks the people of Soa chiefdom to make use of this unique opportunity to build their   communities.

Ester Sesay from Fiscal Decentralization Directorate in the Ministry of Finance encourages the people to drive their own development. “This is not business as usual our focus now is on the peoples planning process using the inside out approach to development as the FT ED has explained to you”.

Fambul Tok Peace Mothers (PM) head  Lilian Morsay explains about income generation activities and plans of the PMs in Soa chiefdom

Soa Chiefdom holds CDDC Meeting

and promised the PC that the women are on the ascendency.

 

The section chiefs give updates on development in their areas and felt needs ranging from water, schools, roads and health centers for pregnant women. Present in the meeting are famers based organisations, mammy queens, youth leaders, councilors, district planning officer, religious leaders, people with disabilities media IAS representative, and Fambul Tok staff.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

WFNF Secretariat Holds Annual Planning Retreat

Fambul Tok, Wan Fambul National Framework Secretariat, Office of the Vice President (OVP), Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoDEP), Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD); and the International Advisory Support (IAS) group end Wan Fambul National Framework Annual Planning Retreat to discuss and finalize the 2022 work program in Tokkeh, in #Freetown.

Fambul Tok Executive Director John Caulker says:

IAS Facilitator Kyber Farahi and WFNF Retreat Participants

“the Framework will enable our communities to develop in a more peaceful and sustainable way”. He said the outcome of the retreat will be key in driving the WFNF programme for 2022. He thanked the OVP and government ministries, departments and agencies for their support and ownership of the Framework.

Dr. Sheka Bangura Director of Planning at MoDEP thanked participants for a fruitful engagement.

He said: “The debate was hot, provocative, healthy and productive”. He said all line ministries are now working from the same page and thanked IAS for their valuable support to the process.

Director of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Department at MoDEP Eric Massalay said the process will be of immense help to his department and NGO operations in the country.

Acting Deputy Director of Rural Development Mbalu Kamara said there is now linkages between the Chiefdom Development Coordinating Committee (CDCC) and District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) and she is happy that NGOs are now part of the DDCC.

IAS Facilitator and member of the Institute for State Effectiveness, Khyber Farahi said the sessions were illuminating and asked participants to do their best to protect the peace and development of their country, Sierra Leone.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Chiefdom Level Stakeholders Meet At Malen

Fambul Tok ends a one-day chiefdom level stakeholders meeting at the chiefdom court barrrey in Sahn town in the Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District, to discuss the level of resolution on issues raised during past GRC meetings and dialogues on the Malen land conflict.

The chiefdom level stakeholders meeting is part of the activities of #unpeace

Malen Chiefdom Level Stakeholders Meeting

building project: Mitigating local resource-based conflicts and increasing community resilient in Malen Chiefdom, in Pujehun district.  A total of 50 participants (21 men, 20 women and 9 youths) drawn from the nine sections of the chiefdom, were in full attendance on the 15th December 2021.

Months back, several meetings were held in Malen and Makpele chiefdoms and Pujehun town respectively involving stakeholders, government officials, youth groups and other interested parties from Malen and Makpele Chiefdoms to help point out issues to improve on sustainable peace in both Chiefdoms

Chief of Sahn Town- Chief Abu Gombu in the absence of both the Paramount Chief and his Speaker welcomed the participants and thanked FTI-SL and other stakeholders for their commitment to promote peace in Malen chiefdom.

He said FTI-SL can be a living testimony that people were saying that local authorities denied NGOs and CSOs to organize meetings in Malen Chiefdom, but within 2020/2021 FTI-SL has organized successful meetings inviting all stakeholders, HOPANDA and MALOA groups.  He said this serves as an example of the willingness by the local authorities to promote peace in Malen Chiefdom; while decelerating the meetings open.

In presenting issues highlighted in the previous meetings in Malen and Pujehun, Joseph M Kargbo of FTI-SL explained the following burning issues to be addressed.

> The Chairman council of paramount chiefs PC Sas Gbonda of the Kpanga Kirim chiefdom Pujehun district, to lead a delegation with other Paramount Chiefs to visit Malen Chiefdom, to resolve the interpersonal grievances between Hon PC Kebbie and his younger brother Honorable Sama.

>Immediate Chiefdom dialogue in both Chiefdom (Malen and Makpele) to be facilitated by Fambul Tok as soon as possible to report on the outcome of the MSP meeting.

> Local government to identify where chiefs are selected and help resolve dissatisfaction through the process of electing chiefs.

> The office of the Vice President to release the report or recommendations from the technical report.

> Woman to be included in the Chiefdom development committee and stakeholders to resolve the conflict between the Chiefdom youth council in Makpele.

He ended by saying FTISL has worked endlessly to resolve most of the issues raised from the last meeting together with both Chiefdoms and commitment were made by other people to play their own part.

Ibrahim B Swaray-CSO Chairman Pujehun District added that complement should be given to FTISL as they have done extremely well with the inclusion of Civil Society. Noting that in due time, both Chiefdoms will enjoy lasting peace and development based on the approach they are using. Haja Adama Sengeh, chiefdom Mammy Queen express her gratitude to Fambul Tok UNDP, and WFP for the peace building process in the Malen land conflicts: ‘we were worrisome before this time because of continuous unrest in our chiefdom, but we thank God for Fambul Tok for bridging the gaps for sustainable peace in Malen chiefdom’.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Makpele GRC Monthly Meeting Triggers Surface Rent Payments

The Grievance Redress committee (GRC) hold their last monthly meeting for the year at the Zimmi town court barray, #Pujehun district on Friday 10th December 2021. The Committee members from the four sections of Makpele chiefdom and farmers based organization (FBOs) are all in attendance. The meeting also serve as a follow up on outstanding issues during past engagements in the chiefdom.

After the opening courtesies, Mr. Abdulai Kanneh committee member from Selimeh express gratitude to Fambul Tok for being resilient in mediating the chiefdom’s disputes that have been hindrances to the chiefdom development for so long. “But with the

Makpele GRC Members

intervention of Fambul Tok in the chiefdom we have now started enjoying peace and development”, Mr. Kanneh said.

 

Among other things at the centre of the discussion, are the inclusion of women in the decision making process, restructuring of the chiefdom youth council executive, and the late payment of surface rent to land owners.

Madam Massah S Mansaray land owner from Kengo section demonstrate gratitude that the intervention of Fambul Tok in addressing issues between the Natural Habitat Company and the community is timely. As a result, the company has informed land owners that surface rent payment will start on 13 December 2021.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Malen GRC Meeting Hails Peacebuilding Project

In mitigating Localized resource-based conflicts and increasing community resilience in the chiefdoms of Malen and Makpele in Pujehun District, GRC Committee members of Malen chiefdom held their last monthly meeting on Saturday 11th December 2021 in Nga

Malen GRC Meeting

ndorhun Malen village, Lower Pember section in the Malen chiefdom, to discuss updates from the various sections. Committee members drawn from the 9 sections, Farmers Based Organisations (FBO) representatives, were all in attendance. A total of 35 people (14 females and 21 males) were in attendance. In an open discussion, GRC representatives from the various sections of Malen updated committee members on the outstanding issues during past dialogue meetings in Malen and Pujehun towns.Alhaji Bawah, committee member from Lower Pember section thanked Fambul Tok for their intervention in the Malen chiefdom to address conflicts and other emerging issues. He reiterated that there have been so many problems before this time between the company and the community and between stakeholder and community but they are now proud to say they have seen massive improvement in the Malen land conflicts as a result of Fambul Tok’s intervention.

 

The chiefdom mammy queen Haja Adama Sengeh in her statement said the peace process in Malen chiefdom is in a good footing as so many problems have been resolved like:

  • The selection of chiefs by the Paramount Chief is no longer done and all chiefs are now elected according to procedures.
  • The swamp land disputes between the Bamba community land owners and Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) workers have been resolved completely
  • The court cases have drastically reduced as community members now resolve their issues through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to avoid expenses and waste of time.
  • The construction of the Sinjo road culvert
  • Communication gaps among communities have been bridged as community people now interact peacefully

Marian Rogers, FBO, thanked Fambul Tok. She expresses joy that the inland Valley swamps have helped improved the standards of living in Malen communities. Marian continues that the proceeds from the farms across the chiefdom is bountiful, thanks to Fambul Tok and other partners for the peace building process.

Mr. Sama Moriba a committee member said even though the project is about to end, he assured Fambul Tok, UNDP, and WFP that they will continue with their monthly meetings. He concluded that the only challenge, they faced now is with the farm guards security as they still continue to harass community backyards in search of alleged stolen palm fruits. “We plead to FTI-SL to extend the projects for wider sensitization at sectional level”, he ended.

Posted by Abdul Rashid

Sao Chiefdom Holds Stakeholders Meeting

Fambul Tok facilitated a well-attended Stakeholders meeting for Soa Chiefdom at Kankorkidu, in Kono district.

Participants include Chiefdom Speaker, Chiefdom Administrative clerk, section chiefs, Mammy Queens and Youth Leaders of the various sections, as well as representatives of Peace Mothers and GRC groups, the security sector and a host of others. Participants raised the following Key issues:

– Concern over failed arrangements with a mining company and members of Deyor community in the Sawabuma section for water supply. The company mining in the Songia River which is boundary with Gbane (Deyor community in Sawabuma section) is being used for min

Soa Chiefdom Stakeholders

ing with a promise to provide boreholes but the company has reneged on their commitment. There is a growing dissatisfaction among the community members and stakeholders fear negative reactions might undermine community peace and stability.

– Also reported were issues of political intolerance, marginalization of women and neglect of the welfare of people whose homes and properties were destroyed during the last violence between Nyandeyama and Taama communities over agricultural lands. Action points agreed on include:

– Engagement with the mining company by chiefdom Leaders

– Continued community sensitization

– Mediation by trained community structures set up by Fambul Tok

This stakeholders meeting is part of the “Strengthening Human Security in in the Remote Chiefdoms of Gbense, Soa, and Kamara in Kono District of Sierra Leone” funded by UNDP.

This joint programme (JP) uses the Human Security Approach to address development challenges and vulnerabilities in three chiefdom areas of Kono District of Sierra Leone.  It will accelerate Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation, while increasing ownership of the goals in the local community.  Through a people-centred, context-specific framework, this programme will advance the livelihood and dignity of people in the community, particularly those who are most vulnerable