Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown recently visited the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) in The Gambia at the invitation of her counterpart, Mayor Talib Bensouda.
The visit, facilitated under the framework of the Kanifing-Freetown Sister City Protocols and supported by C40 Cities, aligns with Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s priorities as Co-Chair of C40 Cities, aiming to extend the network’s influence beyond its traditional members.
Accompanied by Councillor Zainab Conteh, Chairperson of the FCC Foreign Affairs Committee, John Baimba Sesay, C40 Cities Co-Chair Communications Lead, and Manja Kargbo, Mayor’s Delivery Unit Team Lead, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr participated in a series of engagements showcasing the deepening partnership between the two cities.
The visit began with a formal inspection of a guard of honor by the KMC Metropolitan Police, followed by Mayor Bensouda presenting Mayor Aki-Sawyerr with the symbolic “Key to Kanifing Municipality.” The two mayors held a bilateral meeting and a press conference, during which they shared insights on the mutual benefits achieved since their collaboration began in 2021
Key discussions during the visit focused on initiatives like FreetownTheTreeTown, Freetown’s wastewater treatment plant and briquettes production, as well as strategies for addressing shared challenges in sanitation and youth empowerment. Both mayors reiterated their commitment to sustainable development as embedded in Freetown’s Transform Freetown – Transforming Lives Development Agenda.
The visit culminated with a tour of Kanifing’s newly constructed municipal library, opened just two weeks ago.
The library serves a diverse audience, including children, university students, and individuals with disabilities. It also provides spaces for cultural exhibitions, arts, and skills development, underscoring Kanifing’s commitment to inclusive education and community engagement.
Expressing gratitude to Mayor Bensouda, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and experience-sharing between the two cities. Plans are already underway for a technical-level working visit in 2025 to further solidify this growing partnership.
