By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital and busiest urban centre, continues to grapple with an escalating waste management problem that shows no clear signs of improvement. Despite the huge city rates collected yearly by the Freetown City Council (FCC), the municipality remains overwhelmed by mountains of garbage that pile up on streets, congest drainage systems, and threaten public health. As residents become increasingly frustrated, new actors have emerged with promises of interventions. Yet questions linger about their effectiveness and long-term sustainability in this fight.
In recent months, a company known as Freetown Waste Transformers (FWT) launched a registration exercise targeting households across the city. Their objective is to introduce a structured and organised system to ease the waste burden that has lingered for decades. The initiative was received with cautious optimism, as residents hoped it could bring a level of order to the persistent collection challenges. However, doubts quickly followed. Many households questioned how efficient the initiative would be and whether it was another temporary attempt that might fail to address the deep-rooted issues connected to urban waste management.
For years, Freetown has struggled to build a sustainable and reliable waste disposal framework. This failure has been attributed to inconsistent funding, inadequate logistics, and limited engagement with communities. At the same time, the rapid growth of informal settlements has expanded the city faster than the systems designed to manage it. Today, the consequences are visible everywhere. Rubbish heaps line major roads, choked gutters overflow during the rains, and the city’s coastline repeatedly suffers from uncontrolled dumping.
While government agencies and formal waste companies continue to fall short, an unexpected group has stepped into the void. Popularly referred to as the Clan Salone Job, these groups of young men, known in street circles as the Kush Boys, have taken it upon themselves to clear rubbish from neighbourhoods in exchange for small payments. Their involvement has generated mixed reactions, but a recent community assessment revealed that about 85 percent of residents appreciate their timely response and the relief they provide. For many households, these young people represent the only dependable option for daily waste collection.
Their presence speaks to two realities: the city’s waste crisis is worsening, and the youth unemployment situation remains unresolved. With limited job creation opportunities coming from the current government, many young people have resorted to creating their own form of work, even if it emerges from a problem the city has failed to control. This dynamic reflects the resilience of Freetown’s youth but also exposes the gaps in public sector delivery.
Residents argue that waste management should not be left to chance or improvised community responses. They expect stronger leadership from the FCC, more transparent use of city rates, and collaboration with private operators who can offer more innovative and sustainable solutions. The city’s future depends heavily on how quickly authorities can redesign their approach. Solutions must include proper planning, investments in equipment, expansion of landfill capacity, and community education to reduce indiscriminate dumping.
Experts in urban development warn that failure to act decisively will push Freetown deeper into environmental and health hazards. They emphasise that effective waste management is not only about collection but also recycling, proper disposal, and long-term urban planning. Without these elements, the situation is unlikely to improve, regardless of how many temporary actors step in.
The waste crisis in Freetown is no longer merely an inconvenience. It is a national concern that threatens the capital’s image, public health, and the well-being of its people. As residents continue to demand better, the hope remains that city authorities, private partners, and community groups can unite around a solution that finally brings lasting change.
