AYV News, February 17, 2025
Deputy Mayor of Freetown Kweku Lisk has called for developing cities to have access to finance to be able to support initiatives critical to drive sustainable communities. He made the call while moderating a highly interactive 90-minute panel on Sustainable Communities in Monrovia during this year’s Monrovia Week on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
The panel on sustainable communities explored key drivers of urban development, including citizen participation in decision-making, strengthening community engagement in city service delivery, youth empowerment, and the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in national development. Panelists included Hon. Jerror Cole Bangula, Liberia’s Minister of Youth and Sports; Samuel Dean, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disability of Liberia; Ms. Alphia Faith Kemokai, a youth activist; Noah Zara Gibson from the National Transit Authority of Liberia; and others.
Representing Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk Esq., along with FCC’s Chief Councilor Zainab Conteh, is in Monrovia at the invitation of Mayor John-Charuk Siafa to take part in this year’s Monrovia Day celebrations. As part of Monrovia Week, Roundtable Discussions were held to discuss issues around municipal urban governance, waste management, environmental sustainability, and community development, all aimed at driving people-centered actionable solutions to address Monrovia’s challenges.
The Deputy Mayor highlighted the shared challenges between Freetown and Monrovia, stressing the need for sustained job opportunities for young people, the implementation of drug prevention programs, and the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in development initiatives. He shared Freetown’s approach to tackling key urban governance challenges through the Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives Development Plan, a roadmap that prioritizes youth and women’s participation in shaping Freetown’s future.
