By Edward Dictionary Caulker
The Western Area was thrown into a storm of speculation last week when a document surfaced on social media, allegedly from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, listing twelve villages said to be “qualified to stand alone” as separate localities.
The document, which spread rapidly across WhatsApp and Facebook groups, sparked heated conversations among residents, analysts, and policymakers. Some hailed it as overdue recognition of neglected communities, while others dismissed it as a politically motivated distraction.
But the Ministry’s swift denial of the document’s authenticity only deepened the mystery: was it a forgery, a leaked working paper, or perhaps a deliberate attempt to test public opinion?
A Controversial Revelation
The controversy gained momentum when media host Patrick Sallia, presenting the Today Show, raised the subject. He was joined by Alimamy Kamara, Secretary of Kondoloh Village, and Dr. Victor Moinina, a media analyst and researcher. Both men openly questioned whether the document was authentic, suggesting it could easily have been an AI-generated fake or, more unsettlingly, a confidential draft prematurely exposed.
Their skepticism reflects the confusion that often surrounds sensitive governance issues in Sierra Leone, especially those touching on local power structures, community identities, and resource allocation.
The Official Position
On Tuesday, 19th August 2025, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, addressed the matter during the government’s weekly press briefing at the Miatta Conference Centre.
He categorically stated that the government had not approved the creation of new villages in the Western Area. Instead, he confirmed that cabinet is still reviewing proposals for new localities and councils, but insisted that the process remains consultative and guided strictly by law.
The Minister cited the Local Government Act of 2004 and the Revised Local Governance Act of 2022, which grant the President authority on the advice of the Ministers of Local Government, Finance, and the Electoral Commission to create or alter localities. Crucially, Section 3 of the Act outlines specific requirements such as population size, topography, growth potential, and service delivery considerations.
In short, restructuring local governance is no small matter. It must be deliberate, legally grounded, and transparent.
What We Know for Sure
While the “12 villages’ document” remains unverified, certain facts are clear:
- Government has already approved the creation of two new districts: Kpanguma (drawn from Kenema and Kailahun) and Bandajuma (from Bo, Kenema, and Pujehun).
- Proposals are underway for two additional councils in Western Rural and one in Western Urban, signalling an unmistakable push towards restructuring governance in the Western Area.
- No official acknowledgment has been made linking the controversial document to the Ministry.
The Unanswered Questions
Who authored the document? If not the Ministry, then who benefits from circulating it?
Why now? Is the timing linked to government’s confirmed restructuring agenda, or is it an attempt to stir public suspicion?
Could it be a leak? Did an internal draft escape into the public domain, forcing government into denial?
What role does technology play? In an era of AI-generated texts and deep-fakes, are fabricated state documents the new weapon in shaping national discourse?
Is this about 2028? With elections just three years away, is the expansion of localities purely about service delivery, or is it political maneuvering for strategic advantage?
What is undeniable is that local government reform is already on the national agenda. The creation of new districts and councils confirms a broader strategy of decentralization. But whether the Western Area’s twelve villages are truly in line for de-amalgamation remains uncertain.
In a democracy, uncertainty breeds speculation. Citizens deserve clarity not just denial of fake documents, but a clear roadmap for reform. Transparency about government’s intentions is essential, particularly when local identity, representation, and resources are at stake.
Whether the “12 villages document” is fake, leaked, or speculative, it has forced an important national conversation: how should Sierra Leone restructure its local governance to better serve its people?
For now, what remains unclear is the timeline, scope, and motive behind these reforms. But one lesson is obvious when information is scarce, speculation thrives.
If the document is false, government must go beyond denials and share its genuine plans. If it is true, honesty and transparency will serve the nation far better than denial.
Because in governance, as in trust, clarity is the strongest foundation.
