LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SERVICES TRACKER (LGST)

Sierra Leone has recorded very high maternal mortality ratio; a key indicator to measure the healthcare system of a developing country. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time period (WHO definition). This methodology enables us to track and compare district results according to international standards.

The Free Healthcare Initiative and the Basic Package of Essential Health Services aim to provide accessible quality healthcare services to the vulnerable groups of infants and children under five years of age. The under-five mortality rate is the number of children who die by the age of 5 years, per 1000 live births. (WHO definition). This methodology enables us to track and compare district results according to international standards.

NPSE results (2023) enable us to track and compare district learning outcomes. Learning outcome serves as a critical benchmark for evaluating the performance of education systems and guiding policy decisions aimed at improving education service delivery.

Citizens’ willingness to pay taxes and levels of revenue collected are important markers of Local Councils’ performances in service delivery. Here we track total own source revenue generated by the Local Councils per capita according to the 2021 population census for comparable district results.

IGR’s analysis of 5 years of performance of councils on annual audits provides a baseline on the performance of decentralized bodies in public financial management, especially audit uptake. Moving forward, the tracker will monitor the response of the councils to current and future annual audit reports.

Annual publication of the State of Local Council Report on revenue and services is meant to enhance transparency and accountability towards citizens with regards to the planning, budgets and performance of Local Councils.

Whether encouraging citizens to pay taxes, get vaccinated or obey the rule of law, government can achieve more from compliance than coercion. The baseline shows a significant trust deficit in local councils, and Afrobarometer data showed a decreasing trend nationwide. An increased trust in Local Councils is an indication of satisfaction with Local Councils and it will potentially enhance citizens’ input and active participation in service delivery.

Corruption undermines citizens’ trust, and restricts access to education service delivery, especially for low-income populations. Measuring bribery can inform anti-corruption strategies and improve transparency, equity and access, particularly for low-income communities.

Corruption undermines citizens’ trust, and restricts access to healthcare service delivery, especially for low-income populations. Measuring bribery can inform anti-corruption strategies and improve transparency, increase equity and access, particularly for low-income individuals and communities.

Corruption undermines agricultural output, farmers’ trust, and restricts access to agricultural service delivery. Measuring bribery can inform anti-corruption strategies to improve transparency, increase equity and access, particularly for low-income farmers and communities.

Community stability serves as a barometer of local governance performance, reflecting how much local authorities effectively address their constituents' needs and aspirations. It also fosters an environment conducive to social harmony, economic growth, and sustainable development.