Government Engages Paramount Chiefs Ahead of 2026 National Conference

The government, through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on the 28th July, 2026 engaged paramount chiefs and local stakeholders as preparations gathered pace for the 2026 National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference, aimed at strengthening local governance, land administration and conflict prevention.

The event, held at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, brought together chiefdom authorities and government representatives to discuss land management, dispute resolution, community development and other governance matters.

Local Government and Community Affairs Minister Tamba J. Lamina said the conference would run from July 30 to Aug. 1 and would convene paramount chiefs, district and provincial administrators, local council leaders, the Office of National Security and other key state institutions.

Lamina said his ministry oversees local councils and chiefdom administrations nationwide and was working with traditional authorities to improve governance structures.

He said one area under review was the 2015 Local Government Act, part of broader efforts to better integrate local authorities into national governance.

Lamina also said the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning would take part in the conference to explain the new Land Act, including its implications for land ownership, building permits and related issues.

He stressed the need to prevent conflicts, particularly at chiefdom level, where disputes often emerge.

Mohamed Jaward Nyally, strategic communications adviser at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, said citizen engagement and inclusive governance remained essential to national development.

P.C. Fayai Sundifu Brima Sovula, secretary-general of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, said cooperation between local councils and chiefdom authorities had improved, leading to stronger representation, better decision-making and fewer misunderstandings.

He said a memorandum of understanding between councils and chiefdoms was now in place, clearly defining roles and responsibilities to support closer collaboration.