MEET LYNETTE SALOME KAMARA: WIFE OF SIERRA LEONE’S ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, JOSEPH FITZGERALD KAMARA
Lynette Salome Kamara is the wife of Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara. Having been married since 2006, the family is blessed with three children; Francine Sukai, Simone Madikizela and Jahzeel Agbalan.
Born on 6th October, 1974, Mrs. Kamara hails from a middle class family in the Western Area. Her father, Dr. John Fowell Whitfield and mother Dr. Lottie Cassandra Omojowo Whitfield (nee Seymour) live and still run a successful medical practice dating back to the 1970s.
Lynette is an alumnus of the University of East Anglia, UK where she pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations and Development Studies in 2004 and specialized in global politics and development issues. She was previously educated at the St Joseph’s Secondary School, Freetown between 1986 -1991, and pursued 6th Form education at Lebanese International School before enrolling at the Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone in 1993. At FBC, Lynette graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Sociology during which she met her husband Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (then a State Counsel at the Law Officer’s Department).
Upon her return home from post graduate studies, she rejoined the Governance Reform Secretariat to support the reform of the civil service having previously supported the Secretariat in the implementation of Paramount Chief Restoration Programme (2000) funded by the DFID-UK as part of the GoSL post-war reconstruction agenda.
Her reform interests also took her to the Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA), where she served as Deputy Head of Logistics in 2005 on a World Bank funded project, aimed at facilitating the privatization of the SLPA thereby improving the management and service delivery of the Port.
Through her career journey, Lynette also volunteered to lecture (pro bono) a postgraduate degree class at Fourah Bay College (Political Science Department), where she taught Ethics of Terrorism and Political Violence.
Lynette’s wide-ranging professional experience also includes work with UNAMSIL as Procurement Officer. She currently occupies herself with the ongoing transformation of the National Development Bank Limited to a new Bank for Agriculture and Industry when she was contracted by the National Commission for Privatization to serve as the Consultant Administrative Head.
As a champion for women’s empowerment, over the years, Lynette has worked tirelessly with girls and women in providing a safe space for women’s socio-political and economic participation and legal protection for vulnerable women. Through the work of her husband, she has been able to reflect and provide advice and support to community women’s groups in accessing services and navigating the structures of power and authority to protect their rights and create a sustainable space for livelihoods development.
The Sierra Leone-born, London-based stylist on his formative years and what people get wrong about African fashion.
Stylist Ibrahim Kamara has a reputation for being hands-on. In preparation for his 2026 exhibition last year at London arts centre Somerset House, Kamara dumpster-dived in the shantytowns of Johannesburg with photographer and long-time collaborator Kristin Lee Moolman. He scavenged discarded dresses, jackets, and market bags, refashioning them into new outfits, and dressing street-cast men in tight skirts and kimono gowns. Their ears, necks, and chests were festooned with costume jewellery and junk-shop brooches. The final photographs explored what black masculinity could look like 10 years in the future. Unperturbed by African sartorial codes and Western stereotypes, 26-year-old Kamara used 2026 to reawaken a thought-provoking conversation around gender presentation and black masculinity.
The cultural osmosis that plays out in Kamara’s work is shaped by his formative years. Born in Sierra Leone, he grew up in Gambia before moving to London aged 11, where he later studied at art school Central Saint Martins. Drawing on his own diasporic experience, Kamara most recently worked as costume stylist on Sampha’s stunning short film Process, directed by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Kahlil Joseph. Kamara made connections between Sampha’s life in south London and his parents’ in their hometown of Freetown, contrasting traditional Sierra Leonean ashobis and reimagined Western clothing like wedding dresses and ‘70s suits.
When we spoke via phone on one of his rare afternoons off, Kamara had just got back from a job for womenswear brand Stella McCartney in Nigeria — where he and photographer Nadine Ijewere were tasked to reinterpret the Stella McCartney SS17 Collection — and was already planning his next trip to the continent for more projects this summer. In hushed tones, Kamara talked about how the DIY generation is shaking up the fashion world, and the sartorial inspiration of “new Africa.”
What are some of the misconceptions when it comes to style and Africa?
People have an idea of what visuals look like before they have seen them, based off things they’ve seen in media. It’s quite problematic because Africa has progressed so much sartorially, and what continues to be spread in the media isn’t an accurate reflection of what is going on presently. There is so much more.
Your work envisions new expressions of black masculinity. What inspires you?
There are two boys out of South Africa called FAKA. To me, they are a perfect example of new Africa. They don’t give a fuck about what people think of them, they are reinventing what is around them. They represent the queer boys, the transgender community, the straight boys in Africa who want to try something new. Boys like FAKA are allowing men from all over the African continent, and beyond, to be themselves. You know, I live in London but I work a lot in Africa so all I can hope is that my work enlightens kids there who feel like they don’t belong, wherever they are.
I grew up in a very strict environment and 2026 was very much my coming out story, after so long of hiding who I was. 2026 is a celebration of just being yourself, and those are the things that are super important to my work. The idea that you claim your space and you fight back, at least once in your life. I want black men, gay, straight, transgender, bi, or whatever to fight back and express themselves. That’s new Africa to me.
You worked on Sampha’s Process film with Kahlil Joseph earlier this year in Sierra Leone, which is where you were born. Did that have a particular significance for you?
I felt like I was going home. In a way, it felt like I was giving back to Sierra Leone through Kahlil [Joseph] and Sampha. Being there brought back so many memories of growing up in Freetown. I visited the house I was born in. I got to work with so many beautiful young people and it just felt really refreshing to be back in that environment, creating something new and authentic.
“All I can hope is that my work enlightens kids who feel like they don’t belong.”
Do you think fashion is representing enough people, or do you think there is still some way to go?
I think there is a bit of progress. I have had support and people who I have a lot of respect for have shown admiration for my work. I think if we aren’t getting the representation needed, we can just create our own platforms though. Young people find it so hard to break through so have had to make these places to showcase what they can do. You just can now just create your own world.
Do you think the fashion industry’s current interest in diversity has the potential to bring about real change?
I really hope it is something the industry wants to talk about in the long term. If not, people like me and my friends will just have to continue to talk about it. It’s not a fad for us, it is our reality, it is where we are coming from, and we need to share our stories. There are so many black talents finally telling our stories and hopefully it just keeps going. Fashion needs to open its doors to many others like me, people who have come from nothing.
What direction do you see the fashion industry taking in the future?
I think the future is now. We are living in a DIY generation. It’s not like you have to wait around anymore to climb the ladders. We have the internet now and the DIY generation use it to showcase their work and get jobs. There’s no middle man and that’s great because you can guide yourself and learn from your own mistakes. I think the hierarchy will change, and my generation will be our own bosses.
MEET AISHA BANGURA: ASPIRING MODEL AND FACEBOOK FOLLOWER
Today we talk about Aisha Bangura one of our followers on Facebook. She is a young beautiful Sierra Leonean with aspirations to make the country a better place through your support directive and love. She is yet to make it into mainstream Modeling. She does what you would refer to as a mature modeling, but I say to you she deserves every sport in the big stage.
All she is lacking is the right company right photographer with much lightning. She is someone you can relate to in so many ways. Very simple and love for humanity. She is a superstar in her little community in Calbatown, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
She took the following pictures herself all we did was to brighten then a little for you to see what she could do if given the opportunity.
EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: DADDYSAJ AND MARIAMA’S WEDDING
EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: DADDYSAJ AND MARIAMA’S WEDDING. Congratulations to Joseph Cole (Daddy Saj) and Mariama Bakarr-Kamara from I Rep Salone. Check out an exclusive interview from the most talked about wedding in the Sierra Leone Community. Daddy Saj and Mariama got married on the 26th and 29th April 2017, see why he married her and how they met.
1) Name of the couples: Mariama Bakarr-Kamara & Joseph Cole (Daddy Saj)
2) Where are you currently base – UK or other? I live in the USA New York City and my wife lives in South East London.
3) How did you meet? We met 15 years ago at the National Stadium, Freetown. It was a musical award event. We met on my way leaving the stadium. She was a great fan of Daddy Saj and we became friends for about 2 years and started dating but she left for London at 18 and we were apart for 12 years but always in contact as best friends.
4) How long have you been together? We have known each other for 15 years as lovers, music fan’ best friend and soul mate. Dated for only 2 years. from 16 to 18 years. Been apart for 12 years. Made a proposal to marry her last years 2016. Met last summer for 2 weeks and aging on the day of our wedding.
5) Tell us about your proposal – was it romantic – where was it? My proposal was done on the phone as we talk most of the time for the past 12 years since she left salone. We are both born again Christians and do not engage in intimacy before marriage and also we leave in different countries. She hesitated to accept because it was shocking for her after all this while but I insisted and informed her family so she know I meant my word. It was magical.
6) How long after the proposal before the actual wedding or traditional wedding? 1 year to be exact.
7) Where did you got married – UK or other? Sierra Leone.
8) Tell us about the wedding: Daddy Saj getting married to Mariama was a breakthrough. The wedding was a testimony as God’s manifestation was alive and nothing went wrong from the day of proposal to the day of wedding. I performed a beautiful song I composed for her called “NA TIDAY” and few artists, comedians, professional Mc’s, fan club members all contributed to grace the occasion.
We married twice: April 26, we married at a mosque for cultural reasons because my wife comes from fullah tradition. The traditional rites and party took place at Kona Lodge in Freetown. On April 29, we got married again at Saint Anthony’s Parish, Sykes Street Freetown and the reception and party took place at Bintumani hotel, pool area. The place was packed with people from all around the world such as aquaintances or close friends, family, pressman, and the colleagues from the entertainment industry. My wife was happy and I felt complete for the first time in life. Both families were supportive and they made us believe in love all over again.
Videos and photos were posted online by thousands of invites and the news was allover before we even posted our photos on our pages. Food and drinks were in abundance, Music Makers PA system was hired to play on both nights and many DJs came to support especially the president for the DJs union “CPO”. Most of everyone left the hall thanking and congratulating us for coming back home a hoping loyalty and respect to our people. The wedding was a night of victory and we did not only won but we have become a model for true love.
9) Would you change anything about the wedding or the proposal? The wedding and the proposal was God’s call and it all ended far more than we anticipated so there is nothing to change or to regret about.
10) Tell us about the planning of the wedding from makeup artist to hall decorations. Both wedding planners & decorator and make up artist were from the UK. They did an extraordinary job as their touch made the occasion glorious and my wife looked fabulously gorgeous.
11) Were people supportive about your wedding, for example family and friends: Everyone we know of in this life which includes family members and even haters or those who were in doubt ended up been partakers and they all made our wedding a time of rejoicing.
12) What do you love about him/her? One thing I love most about my wife is that she’s God fearing and loves without reward and lastly she’s the most beautiful woman on earth both inside and outside. She loves me most because I inspire and motivate other to believe in themselves and that I’m trustworthy and live a life of righteousness.
13) One bad habit can you say about him/her? She hates that I am a perfectionist and love to put outsiders first. I dislike that she allow people to take from her and been used by friends and relatives.
14) The dress – is it your ideal dream dress and where can people get it from? (You don’t need to disclosed this information) Everything we wore on the day of our wedding both traditional and white wedding were custom made. All the dresses worn by the bride and groom and bridesmaids and groomsmen were all custom made and designed in Nigeria by my bestman Morris Sesay a renounce actor who lives in the USA, Freetown and Nigeria. The white bridal dress was bought in the UK. My wife chose her design and was custom made by the designing company which I’ll tell u the name later.
15) What advice do you have for people entering into relationship/s especially those looking for long term partner? Marriage is destined by God. Put God first and he would show you your true love. Marriage is not conditional but a covenant with God and man. You cannot be dishonest and infidel and expect to have a prosperous matrimonial home. Marriage is a blessing so let God be God and it shall all come to past easily.
16) Anything you want to add? I love my wife dearly a cherish her so much and would always pray for guidance and patience in order to be ready for trial times and nd to surpass all distractions to come. I love my country and would do all in my power bestowed in my by God to make salone a better country for it citizens. “Corruption E do So”… My last album is in the making… God bless mama salone.
Information about the following: (Name and contact details)
Make up artist: @beautybysulaina from Uk Wedding organiser/Planner: Queendasaj, Farrella D Ryan-Coker, Malador Kamara Food/Catering: Victoria Chambers Chef. Hall Decoration: Not available Hair Dresser: Emmanuel Hairstylist Cake Maker: Victoria Chambers, Bliss Cake Factory Photography/Camera: OJ Kenny Photography UK. TBoy PhotographyUK.
Check out the message Innocent wrote on his Facebook profile prior to releasing the song – I Wish. The song is very good and had over 100 plays on our Sound Cloud less than 24 hours of uploading it… Just in case you have not listen to it yet, you can now listen to it on our website. Comment below of what you think of the song.
“For some time now i have been asking myself why foreign music has taken over Sierra Leone, i have been spending sleepless nights listening to this Foreign songs to find out if it was because of the lyrics, the voice or the production, after listening to most of them i found out that it’s a combination of all, so together with my team of experts we tried to put together a master piece that will capture the mind of every Sierra Leonean and Africans as a whole. Ladies and Gentlemen get ready for my latest banger titled I WISH. from the story line to the lyrics, the chords and and percussions were professionally orchestrated by me and my team of experts, a song filled with rhymes, melody, lyrics and style. Innocent Salone I WISH coming soon…..”
Lyrics
I WISH – Innocent Salone
Innocent…….
1ST VERSE
I wish i would buy u Ferrari
( Waii Chaii)
I wish i would buy u Versace
( Oh yeah )
I wish i could take u to Italy
( Italy )
Are go spend pan u coz u na me Wifey
I wish i would take u round the worl
Are go answer when u call
Yes are go lift u when u fall
I wish are been gentri are for make u take am all
Oh oh I wish
CHORUS
I Wish are been gentri are for make u me property
I wish are been gentri are go fly u go over sea
Buy u the private jet
Any tin wae u want u go get
Buy u the range rover
Because of u game soba
I wish are been gentri are for make u me property
I wish are been gentri are for fly u go over sea
Buy u the Bugatti
Are go make for u pool party
Buy u the Lamboghini
Oya babe kam go gee me
2 VERSE
If are been get power
Are for plant Diamond na u pala
Are for don gee u trump tower
Na insai jacuzzi u for dae shower
( aaaaa aya )
I wish are been get power
Are for print u face pan d pounds n the dollar
Girl are go spend all me Kala
Aaaaaaaaa oh I wish
CHORUS REPEAT
3RD VERSE
All this go happen girl I wish are been Gentri
The sus na u foot n d Klose wae u go werr na Givenchy
The car wae u go drive for dae pass up n dong na d Bentley
U go eat money Tay waetin go stop u na Decentry
Hook
Way r die keep me YAI open YAI OPEN YAI OPEN
r wan know oodat go cry for me
Oodat go lie PON me
Verse 1(TBJ)
Boku net r nor kin able sleep
Day wonder if the STAR life meant for me
I’m making enemies every time I spit
Niggaz pray for my downfall
Den day FAST ALL
Some man nor day even swella pit
Even though norto me wish that
For see me name insai smell mot lek TIC TACs
R know the reason why cuz they shit whack
And when I flow my lines get in your veins get u high cuz I APIT CRACK
ok let’s RECAP
norto all mankind diss go make r diss back
R just sit back and chill
R go make den all taya with the beef
Lek SHADOW kerr dem go na WAF day beg for bring the fish back
Den say trust nobody
Even u own BUDDY
even u own brother way una suck the same BOBBY
kin form pa u
Kin turn pa u
Kormot under u PULL GUN pa u
POW POW POW run pa u
But imma dive a little deeper
Find smthg sweeter
I never deliver shallow line margaritas
I spit 40s got the BUD and the LIGHT(BUDLIGHT)
Get gassed as JOE JACKSON and spaz on the MIC(mike)
I deserve my spot I earned this right
It’s nice but I prefer to have a better after life
So I gotta wrong my rights I mean right my wrongs
And most of all I gotta come back to MAMA SALONE
and tell her
I THANK YA
you have always been my anchor
I know we had rough times with FODAY SANKOH
but that’s in the past
Ebola can kiss our ass
This a new era
TBJ the PALLBEARER
2) What is your job title? Professional Makeup Artist
3) Where are you currently base – Salone, UK or other? United Kingdom, London
4) How long have you being doing your business to date? 3 years and loving it
5) Location of your business (online or shop address): I get most of my clients from word of mouth/recommendation but can travel to their location..
6) How would you describe yourself/Business? Am extremely shy as a person but with makeup, I can challenge myself creatively. Am also not very good with words so makeup has been my cover-up in a way for the last 3 years or so ..it’s interesting to know but it’s the truth. I love simple clean everyday makeup look because that’s what most of my client wants from me, a simple clean makeup look. I have been part of London fashion week, two fashion events, photoshoot etc. I have gain experience from some of the world best /top makeup shop. As a business woman in the makeup industry, with this knowledge within, I have always wanted to make my client feel special and give them an experience and make them feel and bring the best within themselves. The houseofsesaymua makeup looks can range from simple, bridal and creative makeup etc. I tend never to limit myself in whatever I am doing especially looking for ways to improve.
7) What are the challenges that you face as a business owner? As with most business, everyone love and admire what you do however as soon as its time for them to pay for the service then it becomes an issue. But I do believe if you are good at what you do, passionate you will find and build your clientele. I am extremely grateful for my clientele and future clients. If someone returns back for a makeup service, that makes me extremely happy and motivates me to work harder than before.
8) Why did you decide to go into business? I have always loved makeup but I decided to take the big jump a few years back, get trained at a top makeup school in London and practice on family and friends before I started taking on paying clients. I love the art of makeup, I get to create and watch my clients transform into the best version.
9) Do you sell any products in the business – What product/services do you offer? Not so much physical sales .. but I provide a service. With the houseofsesaymua, my clients get to experience a great service and I teach them also on my how they can archive the best look for a particular occasion or just wants to look nice at home. So overall I think I provide a service.
10) If you were not doing your current business, what would you have preferred to do as a second option? Makeup is my dream and always will be but I think working with kids/youth and the ability to train them will give them an humble beginning in life just like the same way my parents taught me.
11) What is special about you or your business that is unique to customers? I treat all my client with respect, it doesn’t matter who you are and I always try to make them feel welcome and comfortable just like the same way I would like someone to treats me. To me, makeup is very personal, people need to like you in order to be able to use your service.
12) Where do you see yourself or your business in 5 years’ time? I am very much an educator.. I would love to teach more about my knowledge in makeup to people in the near future.
13) Your advice and tips for individuals that want to follow your footstep/career path? I would say go for it .. it’s not going to be always easy but as long as you believe in yourself and have the passion for makeup artistry that’s all that matters.
14) How can they contact you or get through to you on social media?
Houseofsesaymua on Facebook and Instagram
Email address..
sesay@houseofsesay.co.uk
PRESIDENT KOROMA ENDS OFFICIAL VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA
His Excellency President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has ended a two-day state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The President was in the Kingdom on the kind invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The King held official talks with his Sierra Leonean counterpart at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah yesterday.
His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Excellency, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma discussed issues on bilateral relations and means of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Sierra Leone in different fields. During the meeting, President Koroma honoured the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the Medal of Honour in recognition of King Salman’s efforts in promoting world peace and defending Islam.
The session was attended by the Minister of Foreign and International Cooperation, Dr. Samura W. Kamara, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mr. Momodu Kargbo, Mines and Mineral Resources Minister, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, Information and Communications Minister, Mr. Mohamed Bangura, Education, Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Minkailu Bah, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Alhaji M.S. Kargbo, State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Rassie Kargbo (Mrs.) Personal Assistant to the President, Mr. Brian Gilpin.
On the Saudi side, it was attended by Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid al-Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State, Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet, Ibrahim Bin Abdulaziz al-Assaf, Minister of Culture and Information, Awad bin Saleh al-Awad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nizar bin Obaid Madani and Saudi Ambassador to Guinea and Sierra Leone, Suleiman bin Saleh al-Furaih.
Shortly before he left this evening, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud met the President at his Jeddah Conference Palace where they had “very fruitful meeting” Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Bangura says the meeting between His Excellency the President and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is very beneficial for Sierra Leone.
His Excellency also hold marginal meetings with the Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani and the Minister of Culture and Information, Awad bin Saleh al-Awad yesterday.
Earlier today, the President also met the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB Group) His Excellency Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed bin Hamza Asaad Al Hajjar and the Director-General for the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), among others. During the meetings, they discussed bilateral and multilateral coperation and ways to promote them, in addition to issues of mutual interest.
The President and entourage have left for Turkey where he is scheduled to meet with the Turkish President, H.E Tayyip Erdogan.
INTERVIEW WITH TEDDY AHMED ROBERTS: A FILM DIRECTOR AND ENTERTAINER
1) Name/Stage Name: Teddy Ahmed Roberts aka Director Time.
2) How would you describe yourself? Am the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. Am 5ft 8inches. A film Maker in Sierra Leone.
3) How long have you been doing music/entertainment? I have been in entertainment since 2004. Am in it for 13 years now. I have been into filming for 3 years now.
4) Why music/entertainment? I choose entertainment because is what I feel comfortable doing. And people always admired me, with what I do.
5) What songs/Projects have you worked on and which one was your favourite and why? I have work for different film production in Sierra Leone. My project is the movie FIELD TRIP. Log line:: A group of unruly school pupils organise a trip to the forest, without the knowledge of the school administration. In the forest there were they met a monstrous man.
6) What other Artist / Entertainer have been inspirational to you in your work? Kao D Nero, a hip hopper in Sierra Leone is my inspiration in the world of entertainment. His relentless attitude, makes ME believe that anything is possible.
7) Where do you see your self in the next 2-3 years in the Music/Entertainment Industry? In the next two to three years, am seeing myself to be one of the most creative film director in Sierra Leone.
8) Your Challenges: My biggest challenge is Money. Isn’t easy to come by as executive producer in Sierra Leone.
9) Your proudest moment to date: My proudest moment is the day I won the ACAYO all works of life award. Has the best film director in Allentown 2015/2016.
10) Who inspires you? Without entertainment I don’t think I will not do anything. E-world is my life.
11) If you were not doing music/or not in the entertainment industry what did you want to do as a second option? Am searching for an executive producer for my next movie LINEAGE. ( LINEAGE,, LOGLINE. IN THE DAYS OF CANNIBALISM AND WITCHCRAFT A BOY IS BORN IN THE MENDE KINGDOM, WITH A WHITE SKIN BY BLACK SKIN PARENT. 14 century, true story of the mende people of sierra Leone.
12) Do you have any future dates planned such as events that you might want the readers to know about? None
13) Your advice and tips for individuals that want to follow your footstep/career path? My advice to you, is believe your dreams and do your best to make your dreams a real picture
14) How can they contact you through social media? Facebook….Time Mangay Moi. Number of contact:; +232 88 23 73 23// +232 78 41 14 34. E-mail…. teddyitelsl@gmail.com
The name Sierra Leone dates back to 1462 when Portuguese explorer Pedro da Contra discovered the peninsular mountains as he sailed down the coast of West Africa. Some say he named them ‘Sierra Lyoa’ (Lion Mountains in Portuguese) because the roar of thunder rolling over the mountains sounded like lion, others say it was because of their shape, which resembled a crouching lion. Either way, the name stuck. An English sailor later changed the name to Sierraliona and from there it became Sierra Leone.
Prior to this, tribes from the African interior had settled in the virgin forest, where they would be protected by the mountains on side and the sea on the other. They were probably the ancestors of the Limbas, the oldest ethnic group in Sierra Leone, the coastal Bullom(Sherbro), Temne, the Mende-speaking People including Vai, Loki and Mende.
After Pedro da Cintra’s discovery, foreign influence in the area increased and trade commenced between the locals and Europeans in the form of a barter system. The British began to take interest in Sierra Leone and in 1672 the Royal African Company established trading forts on the Islands of Bunce and York. With the emergency of the slave trade, human trafficking became the major commodity and indigenes were sold as slaves. Bunce Island became a prime spot for transporting slaves to Europe and America.
Through the efforts of philanthropists, Britain abolished slavery and a naval base was established in Freetown to intercept slave ships. Freetown became a settlement for freed slave ships. Freetown became a settlement for freed slaves in 1787 and was called the ‘province of Freetown’. By 1792, 1,200 freed slaves from Nova Scotia and a large number from Maroon in the 1800s joined the original settlers from England. 1808, the area of Freetown officially became a British crown colony and trade commenced between the indigenes and settlers. This paved the gateway for the British to extend their rule into the outer provinces and in 1896, a protectorate was declared.
During British colonialism, Sierra Leone served as the seat of Government for other British colonies along the West Coast of Africa. Fourah Bay College was established in 1827 and was the first college for higher education south of the sahara. English speaking Africans flocked there and quickly earned Sierra Leone the title of the ‘Athens of West Africa’ for its early achievements in the fields of medicine, law and education.
During their colonial history, Sierra Leoneans mounted several unsuccessful revolts against British rule, and finally gained independence peacefully on 27 April 1961. Under the Leadership of it’s first prime minister, Sir Milton Margai , the newly independent nation adopted a parliamentary system of government, later becoming a Republic in 1971. In 1991 civil war broke out and Sierra Leone entered the darkest decade in it’s recent history. Peace was restored 2002 and, since then, the country has blossomed. Sierra Leone is on a track to development under a multi-party democracy and is hailed as one of the fastest countries in Africa.
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