Mayor Aki-Sawyer Articulates Her Transform Freetown Drive
On Thursday, March 21st, 2024, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of the Freetown City Council, engaged with a diverse group of Sierra Leoneans in Boston during a meet-and-greet session organised by Claudia Temple, a prominent Sierra Leonean health practitioner and Women’s Leader for APC in the Boston Chapter, alongside Geneva Anthony, a founding member of the National Grand Coalition (NGC). The gathering took place at the Fiedler Hall within the DoubleTree Hotel in Boston.
In her welcome remarks, a prominent Sierra Leonean, Director of Nursing, APC Women’s Leader in the Boston Chapter and PRO in the APC-USA Women’s Wing, Claudia Temple expressed her admiration for the Mayor and extended gratitude for the impactful work she has been spearheading in Freetown. Recognising the importance of women taking prominent roles, Claudia applauded the Mayor for her leadership and for setting a commendable example by taking the lead in driving positive change within the city.
During this event, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr shared insights into her purpose for visiting the United States, and highlighted the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Freetown City Council through the
Transform Freetown Project. Launched in January 2019, this project, spearheaded by the FCC, aims to rejuvenate Freetown, Sierra Leone, by focusing on 11 key sectors to address challenges such as enhancing resilience, human development, fostering healthy cities, and improving urban mobility.
The Transform Freetown Project employs innovative strategies, data-driven performance management, and community involvement to elevate the living standards of Freetown residents. Notable initiatives include the installation of citywide dustbins, leveraging digital tools to promote tree cultivation, implementing progressive water projects to enhance water access and sanitation, and executing various development projects across the city. This comprehensive effort is geared towards transforming Freetown into a sustainable and thriving urban environment.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s participation in the “Leadership for System Change: Delivering Social Impact at Scale” Executive Course at the Harvard Kennedy School, organised by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, underscores her commitment to driving positive change. Recognised as an Outstanding Public Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023 by the Schwab Foundation, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, along with Chief Administrator, Raman Tom Farmer, is leveraging this training to enhance the FCC’s operations and further advance the city’s development agenda.
The Mayor’s engagement with the Sierra Leonean community in Boston reflects her dedication to inclusive leadership and her call for support from the diaspora to contribute to Freetown’s progress. Her collaborative approach, coupled with the insights gained from the Harvard course, underscores her commitment to Transform Freetown and create a brighter future for all Freetonians.