Sierra Leoneans from across the United Kingdom converged in Leicester City to participate in Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh’s Town Hall Series, an engagement aimed at strengthening dialogue between government and citizens in the diaspora while advancing national development priorities.
The gathering brought together Sierra Leoneans from different professional, social, and community backgrounds who engaged the Chief Minister through questions, discussions, and reflections on governance, service delivery, accountability, and national progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh emphasized that the Town Hall engagement was centered on “development as partnership,” stressing that the purpose of the meeting was not only for government to speak, but also to listen and learn directly from citizens.
“I came to listen and engage. You have to do the talking and ask the questions,” the Chief Minister stated.
He described the Leicester engagement as particularly significant, noting that meaningful discussions on development had already started informally during social interactions, including a community barbecue gathering and a friendly football match held ahead of the Town Hall meeting.
According to the Chief Minister, these interactions demonstrated the importance of creating inclusive spaces where Sierra Leoneans can openly discuss issues affecting the country while building stronger relationships among themselves.
Dr. Sengeh disclosed that the decision to host the Town Hall Series in Leicester followed appeals from members of the Sierra Leonean community, particularly Madam Tuma, who encouraged government officials to engage citizens outside major capital cities such as London, Washington, and Paris.
He stressed that the Leicester engagement was intentional and reflected government’s commitment to reaching Sierra Leoneans wherever they reside.
Speaking on governance and accountability, the Chief Minister explained that the government’s development agenda is guided by the SLPP Manifesto and the National Development Plan, which he described as a commitment between government and citizens.
He emphasized that development can only succeed through partnership, mutual accountability, and citizen participation.
“The responsibility of government is to deliver on its commitments, while citizens also have the responsibility to hold government accountable in a constructive manner,” he noted.
The Chief Minister also informed participants that Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora can now apply for Sierra Leone passports online, describing the initiative as part of government’s broader effort to improve public service delivery and make essential services more accessible to citizens abroad. He noted that the digital process reflects ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, convenience, and diaspora engagement through technology-driven solutions.
Highlighting progress made under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, Dr. Sengeh pointed to improvements in electricity access across Sierra Leone, including in provincial towns and rural communities that previously lacked access to power supply.
He stated that government has doubled the number of people with access to electricity and is expanding energy infrastructure nationwide, including the construction of a 108.4-megawatt power plant expected to be completed by August 2027.
The Chief Minister further noted that the Town Hall Series forms part of broader efforts to advance the Government’s “Big Five Game Changers” by strengthening citizen engagement, improving transparency, and encouraging diaspora participation in national development.
The engagement also highlighted the critical role of the diaspora in supporting investment, innovation, education, technology transfer, and community development initiatives that contribute to Sierra Leone’s long-term transformation agenda.
In his statement, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh, called for unity, reconciliation, and togetherness among Sierra Leoneans.
Dr. Manyeh reflected on his previous role as a presidential flagbearer aspirant and noted that despite political competition, he remains a friend and supporter of President Julius Maada Bio.
He encouraged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to promote love, unity, and national cohesion irrespective of political affiliation, emphasizing that collective progress can only be achieved through collaboration and mutual respect.
The Leicester Town Hall Series marks a significant step in strengthening government-diaspora relations and ensuring that Sierra Leoneans abroad remain active partners in the country’s development journey.