By Mohamed Kamara
Freetown, Sierra Leone – A senior tribal headman in the Western Area has strongly criticized members of the cabinet for sidelining traditional rulers during major national events and public awareness campaigns held in the region.
Speaking anonymously, the headman, who is a long-serving member of the Tribal Headmen Council, expressed disappointment over what he described as a growing trend of government ministers hosting events in the Western Urban Area without consulting or involving tribal authorities. He accused the government of neglecting the traditional structures that have historically played a vital role in community leadership and information dissemination.
“These tribal institutions were the first to be recognized by the colonial administration in the 19th century,” he said, referencing figures like King Tom and King Niambana, who were among the earliest crowned leaders under British colonial rule.
According to the headman, the Western Area is home to residents from all 16 tribes represented in the Tribal Headmen Council. He emphasized that the headmen and their over 500 sub-chiefs are strategically positioned to help amplify national messages, particularly those related to public health, security, and civic awareness.
“Ministers often claim to spend millions of Leones on sensitization campaigns, yet they overlook the cost-effective and far-reaching influence of tribal and religious leaders,” he said. “We can carry the message further and deeper into communities.”
He also raised concerns about the ongoing drug crisis, citing that over a thousand youths from each tribal jurisdiction in the Western Area are reportedly affected. He believes that traditional and religious leaders could be instrumental in reversing this trend through grassroots engagement.
Recalling recent national crises, the headman noted that the Tribal Headmen Council had issued early warnings ahead of the August 10 protests and was among the first groups to publicly condemn the attempted coup to overthrow the government.
He called on the cabinet and other government-related agencies to view the Tribal Headmen Council not as ceremonial figures, but as strategic partners in nation-building.
“Our presence in the Western Area is essential—not only for community justice but also for national unity,” he said. “We have resolved many local disputes and helped stabilize communities. It is time our role is formally recognized and respected.”
