About Us
The PDF-SL Mandate: Deepening Decentralization
The Foundation exists to address the critical gaps between policy and local impact. We believe that true, lasting development must be driven from the Section level upward. Our mandate is to institutionalize the culture of working together and to formalize the mechanism of Giving Back by coordinating the resources of the diaspora, corporate partners, and local pioneers.
We are committed to:
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Data Integrity: Institutionalizing the collection, collation, and maintenance of credible and evidence-based data from every section (Article 7, d). This is our policy engine.
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Local Coordination: Ensuring every section has a fully functional Development Foundation Secretariat to coordinate and execute development programs.
Strengthening Accountability: Creating a rigorous accountability matrix for leadership across all levels of the state (legislative, executive, judicial, and local).
Vision: To fundamentally improve the living standards of the people at the village and town levels of the Country.
Mission: To make effective use of the Human, Financial, Material Resources, including time, that we collectively possess to bring about immediate and sustainable development in our communities.
The Five Development Pillars (Detailed):
Our work is organized into five constitutional coordinator areas to ensure specialized focus and measurable results:
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Health & Wellness: Focused on improving sanitation, managing community health data, and coordinating medical personnel.
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Education, Information & Culture: Drives the Human Capital Development program, ensuring quality education and promoting arts, culture, and access to information.
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Agriculture, Nutrition & Environment: The engine of our food security initiative, guiding communities to "grow what they eat and eat what they grow," while promoting environmental preservation and eco-tourism.
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Economic Livelihoods & Financial Stability: Identifies income-generating projects, promotes the Local Content Policy, and links communities with investors to enhance financial stability.
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Governance, Research & Policy: The nerve center that links research findings with policy implementation, ensuring our efforts are evidence-driven and coordinated with government interventions.
The Leadership
The PDF-SL is led by a powerful combination of visionary leadership, administrative expertise, and decentralized community champions.
The Founder & Chief Coordinator
Alpha O. Timbo's career is defined by his commitment to institution-building and advocacy, starting with his distinguished educational background in History, Law, and Philosophy from Fourah Bay College (FBC). His early professional life was anchored in empowering Sierra Leone's educators. As Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) from 1990, he championed the "Liberation Movement of Teachers," securing their first Collective Bargaining Certificate and substantially improving their conditions of service. This influential tenure quickly extended his reach internationally, leading to his historic election as the first African to win the open seat on the Executive Board of Education International (EI), establishing a legacy as a leading voice for global labor and social justice.
His dedication to democracy was tested during Sierra Leone's civil conflicts. Emerging as a fearless Human Rights Activist, Mr. Timbo co-founded the Civil Society Movement (CSM) and was instrumental in mobilizing civic resistance, notably declining invitations to serve under military regimes to focus on the Restoration of Democracy. Following the return to civilian rule, he translated his passion for reform into significant governmental achievements. As Minister of Labour, Social Security and Industrial Relations, he was the architect of critical national institutions, including establishing the Industrial Court and, most famously, founding the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), transforming the nation's social welfare framework.
Today, Mr. Timbo focuses his unique blend of experience—from grassroots organization and international advocacy to high-level policy implementation—on his latest initiative: The People’s Development Foundation Sierra Leone (PDF-SL). The Foundation, driven by the motto "RESHAPING OUR FUTURE," is the culmination of his lifelong work. It institutionalizes a coordinated, decentralized approach to development, using evidence-based data from every community to mobilize the diaspora and local leaders. In his current role as Presidential Adviser on Job Creation, and through the PDF-SL, he continues to ensure that political opportunities and civic action directly translate into tangible, sustainable progress at the section and village levels across Sierra Leone.
The Co-Founder
A Pioneer of Progress: Leadership Spanning Continents and Communities
A native of Sierra Leone, this leader's journey is defined by a deep commitment to service, blending invaluable international experience with dedicated local political action. After successfully completing her G.C.E. O’ Level, she married and traveled to the United States in 2000, where she built a strong professional foundation, spending fifteen years in the demanding healthcare sector. Her time abroad wasn't limited to her career; she simultaneously honed her political acumen and dedication to the diaspora, serving for eight impactful years as the Organizing Secretary of the Washington D.C. Chapter and becoming an active, influential member of the Fullah Progressive Union.
Her dedication to Sierra Leone prompted her return in 2019, marking a transition from diaspora organizing to full-time national leadership. She quickly put her discipline and experience to work, culminating in her 2021 election as the Regional Secretary for the North-East Region. Demonstrating unwavering commitment and organizational strength, she rapidly ascended the ranks of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). This political journey is being further reinforced by her ongoing academic pursuit of a degree in Public Administration and Management at the University of Makeni (UniMak), ensuring her leadership is grounded in both practical experience and contemporary governance theory.
In a landmark moment in 2025, she made history by being elected the first Regional Chairperson of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the North-East Region. This monumental achievement is a powerful testament to her exceptional leadership, profound service to the party, and deep passion for community development in the region. Her trajectory—from a disciplined healthcare professional in the U.S. to a historic regional political leader—positions her as a pivotal figure in the SLPP's efforts to expand and solidify its mandate across the North-East.
