By Kadiatu Sankoh
Comrade Hans PDF Doherty, an aspirant for the position of Mayor of Freetown in 2028, on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, handed over rainy-season tools to APC Councillors at the APC Party Headquarters at Old Railway Line, Brookfields, Freetown.
The initiative is aimed at equipping Councillors with essential tools to support community work and respond to the needs of residents, particularly during the rainy season. The donation was made by Comrade Hans PDF Doherty, an aspirant for the position of Mayor of Freetown in 2028.
The ceremony brought together Councillors and party officials from various communities across Freetown, including Aberdeen, Congo Town, Hill Station, Government Wharf, Wilkinson Road and Congo Cross.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dennis Williams thanked the Councillors for their presence and introduced Comrade Hans PDF Doherty. He highlighted several initiatives attributed to Doherty, including support for healthcare, transportation and employment creation. He also mentioned plans for a 300-bed hospital in Benguma, a $10,000 donation to a cottage hospital, and annual Christmas activities for children, which he said have benefited more than 600 children over the years.
Mr. Doherty, in his remarks, thanked the Councillors and acknowledged the work of the current Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, despite the challenges facing the Freetown City Council.
He said he was presenting himself to the people of Freetown as an aspirant for Mayor in 2028, with a commitment to contributing to the development of the municipality. He said his vision was to work collectively with Councillors, promote a cleaner city and ensure residents see tangible benefits from the taxes they pay.
Doherty said he understood the financial challenges faced by the current administration and had therefore decided to support Councillors with the necessary tools to serve their communities.
The donation comprised approximately 600 items, including wheelbarrows, shovels, gloves, boots, flashers and rakes, with a stated value of about Le 145,000. The tools are expected to support community cleaning and other rainy-season activities across various communities.
Responding on behalf of the Councillors, Councillor Unisa Kamara expressed appreciation to Mr. Doherty for the donation. He said the initiative demonstrated an understanding of the practical needs of communities and assured the donor that the items would be put to good use.
He also said the Councillors believed in the APC and its role in selecting leaders capable of serving the people, adding that the people of Freetown would appreciate initiatives that directly support communities.
Speaking on behalf of the APC membership and leadership, Mohamed Pope Kamara also thanked Mr. Doherty for what he described as a significant gesture. He acknowledged the efforts of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and said the donation represented an important contribution toward supporting Councillors in delivering services to their communities.
He urged the Councillors to use the tools responsibly and ensure that the items benefit the communities for which they were provided.
The ceremony ended with renewed calls for Councillors and community members to work together to keep Freetown clean, particularly during the rainy season.