By Ibrahim Sesay
In a strong push for community empowerment and civic involvement, Caritas Freetown, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), has held a game-changing two-day training and policy dialogue in the Western Area Rural District, renewing hope for peace and effective advocacy at the grassroots level. The event took place at Prince Tunner Hall in Waterloo, drawing together a wide range of local stakeholders, from Chiefdom Development Committees and the District Youth Council to Mother Support Groups, united by a shared commitment to community-led development.
Day one focused on training participants in advocacy, leadership and conflict resolution, while day two created a platform for direct interaction with policymakers. The dialogue gave community members the rare chance to speak to decision-makers, raising real issues and recommending practical solutions. That initiative followed a series of consultations by Caritas Freetown, which had uncovered serious gaps in leadership and coordination across community structures. Meetings with youth groups, ward committees, traditional leaders, traders and bike riders made it clear that targeted capacity building was urgently needed.
Patrick Kabineh Deen Kamara, Project Officer for Youth in Politics and Peacebuilding at Caritas Freetown, said the training was designed not just to inform but to connect people with those in authority. He stressed that bridging the gap between grassroots actors and policymakers is key to improving local governance and removing the obstacles that slow progress. According to him, lasting peace and development come when communities and leaders work together to solve problems.
His views were supported by Dominic Tholley, Regional Outreach and Community Affairs Officer at the Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board, who said access to justice, peace education and conflict management are vital for national development. He noted that such a type of engagement helps build trust between the Government and the people, laying a strong foundation for sustainable progress.
A major concern raised during the policy dialogue was the increasing problem of Kush abuse among young people. Participants called for more awareness campaigns and the building of rehabilitation centers to address the growing crisis. Responding to those calls, District Youth Officer, Fanta Johnbull, confirmed that the Ministry of Youth is already running sensitization programs across the district and that the creation of rehab centers remains a priority. She gave assurances that, with proper funding, the Ministry plans to establish more centers to meet the rising demand for addiction recovery services.
One of the standout voices at the event was Margret Mabinty Fofanah, President of the Western Area Rural District Young Women in Governance Network. She said the training had transformed the way she and her peers approach advocacy. Before the workshop, she explained, many youth-led campaigns lacked the structure and technical skill to succeed. Now, equipped with new tools in leadership and community engagement, she feels ready to lead meaningful change.
Margret Mabinty Fofanah described the program as a “training of trainers” and promised to share the knowledge she gained with other youth networks. She urged her fellow young leaders across the district to take part in similar opportunities, saying such trainings help build strong connections and prepare the next generation to lead their communities forward.
The success of the initiative reflects the deep commitment of Caritas Freetown and its partners to build local leadership, encourage open dialogue and develop locally driven solutions to the challenges facing communities. Beneficiaries stated that they now carry a renewed sense of purpose and the tools to shape a more peaceful and united Sierra Leone from the grassroots level.
