By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a bid to foster inclusive economic reforms and strengthen civic engagement, the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Inter-Religious Council Sierra Leone and with support from Christian Aid, convened a Government Engagement Meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The meeting, held at the 50/50 Group Conference Hall on Tower Hill in Freetown, was part of the Inclusive Civic Action for Reforms on Economic Systems (ICARES) Project.
The high-level engagement brought together key stakeholders, including Government representatives, civil society actors and advocacy groups, to discuss critical issues affecting economic participation, particularly for women in the informal sector and the role of civic space in governance and policy-making.
Welcoming attendees, Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale, President of the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, emphasized that the meeting was more than a routine gathering; it was a strategic dialogue aimed at fostering sustainable change. She underscored the importance of equity, transparency and collective action in addressing structural inequalities within Sierra Leone’s economic and governance systems.
“Our agenda is comprehensive, featuring a data-driven presentation to inform our discussions, insights from advocates of civic space and women’s economic inclusion and community-driven recommendations from Civic Hub members across the country,” Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale stated.
She noted that while legal reforms had been commendable, systemic inequalities persisted, particularly in integrating women into the formal financial system and improving financial literacy. She called for bold engagement and collective action to dismantle structural barriers and create an inclusive economy.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Naasu Fofanah-Susue, which focused on women’s financial empowerment and economic inclusion. She shed light on the struggles faced by women in the informal sector, particularly in accessing finance and introduced the Women’s Banking Initiative, a program designed to provide sustainable financial solutions for women entrepreneurs.
Naasu Fofanah-Susue, who serves as co-chair of the Bank of Sierra Leone’s Financial City Working Group, explained that her advocacy stemmed from observing the dominance of men in leadership roles within women’s business associations. Recognizing the vast amounts of money circulating outside the formal financial system, she saw an opportunity to integrate informal savings groups, often led by women, into the formal banking sector.
The Women’s Banking Initiative was developed through extensive consultations with the Black Women Association, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and other stakeholders. The initiative aims to establish Sierra Leone’s first women-only commercial bank, offering tailored financial products, such as single-digit interest loans with short repayment terms, to support female entrepreneurs.
Her presentation underscored the challenges women face in trusting financial institutions, leading to low participation in the banking sector. However, she revealed that the initiative had already secured significant investment commitments from the commercial sector, demonstrating confidence in its potential to transform women’s economic participation.
Charles Keif-Kobai delivered an insightful presentation on the relationship between civic space and democratic participation. His discussion, titled: “Civic Space and Democratic Participation,” examined the role of civic engagement in governance, emphasizing that an open civic space enhances policy-making, fosters freedom of expression and strengthens democracy.
Charles Keif-Kobai highlighted that civic space, as defined by institutions such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), provides an avenue for citizens to influence political and social structures. However, he warned that restrictive environments hinder Government accountability and social progress.
“A shrinking civic space can limit public participation in governance, weaken policy implementation and reduce citizens’ ability to demand accountability,” he noted.
He called for the protection and expansion of civic spaces to ensure that citizens, especially marginalized groups, can engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.
Providing a policy and legal analysis, Madam Zainab, a consultant, explored key areas requiring reform.
She examined the Property and Asset Management, advocating for modernization efforts to maximize community benefits, Land Management Reforms, emphasizing the establishment of National and District Land Commissions to protect individual land rights and Policy and Community Engagement, urging stronger community relationships and gender-sensitive policies to challenge patriarchal systems.
While acknowledging some progress, she questioned why reforms had not translated into substantial improvements. “We must critically assess our strategic direction and expectations to ensure meaningful impact,” she stressed.
John Kelly Marah, from Civic Hub, presented a critical analysis of existing laws affecting civic engagement. He examined legal frameworks such as: The Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, which raises concerns about restrictions on free speech and online expression, The Cleaner of Social Act of 1965 and Public Order Amendment Act of 2020, which impact protest rights and civic mobilization.
John Kelly Marah warned that excessive regulation of digital and public spaces could stifle free expression and civil activism. He advocated for policy reforms that strike a balance between regulation and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
The meeting concluded with a call to action for Government representatives and civil society actors to collaboratively implement the proposed reforms.
The event marked a pivotal step towards inclusive economic and governance reforms in Sierra Leone, reinforcing the commitment of the 50/50 Group and its partners to bridging structural gaps and promoting social justice.
