By The Watch Newspaper
A man identified as Alhassan Musa, a native of Lower Bambara Chiefdom in the Kenema District, has reportedly fled his ancestral home to avoid being initiated into the leadership of the Poro Society, one of Sierra Leone’s most influential traditional institutions.
According to reports, Musa left the eastern region after refusing to assume the mantle of leadership passed down by his late father, Pa Musa II, a prominent figure within the Poro fraternity nationwide. He is said to have resettled in Lunsar, in the Port Loko District, in an attempt to escape pressure from society elders.
However, his whereabouts reportedly became known when one of the Poro elders from Kenema attended a funeral in Lunsar and recognized him. The elder later returned east and informed fellow members of Musa’s location. Soon after, Musa was officially summoned by the local Poro Society in Lunsar to appear before them and fulfill his late father’s wishes by completing the initiation process.
Musa allegedly promised to comply but has since disappeared once again, fearing for his safety.
In an exclusive interview, Pa Pewa, head of the local Poro Society, confirmed that Alhassan was destined to inherit his father’s traditional position. “Alhassan’s grandfather, Pa Brima, handed the leadership to his son, who served the Poro Society for over two decades. Before he passed away in 2018, he named Alhassan as his successor in the sacred Poro bush,” he explained.
He further disclosed that traditional rites marking Alhassan’s initiation began when he was just 12 years old. “This is a sacred family legacy—the Musa name is part of our tradition. The elders who witnessed his initiation are determined to see it fulfilled,” Pa Pewa added.
According to him, several attempts to have Alhassan complete the process have failed. “In 2022, we organized a national ceremony with elders from across Sierra Leone. We spent huge sums preparing, but Alhassan did not show up. He promised to come but never did. We will find him, wherever he hides,” he warned.
In a separate interview, Mariatu Musa, Alhassan’s wife, revealed that her husband rejected the leadership position due to his religious convictions. “His faith forbids participation in what he believes are outdated and barbaric traditions,” she said.
Madam Mariatu also recounted how the family has endured threats and intimidation from members of the society since Alhassan’s refusal. “Our house was burnt down, our farm destroyed, and even our livestock were killed. We live in constant fear,” she lamented.
She added that relocating has done little to guarantee their safety. “Even after moving to another city, we still fear for our lives. Poro members are everywhere,” she said.
Meanwhile, civil rights activist Mohamed Kamara has condemned the alleged harassment, describing it as a violation of basic human rights. He emphasized that traditional institutions must evolve to respect modern values and personal freedoms.
“Politicians—past and present—have often used secret societies like Poro to tighten their grip on power and silence dissent. This includes former President Ernest Bai Koroma, who reportedly sponsored mass initiations during his tenure to secure political loyalty,” Kamara claimed.
He called on community leaders and families to adopt a rights-based approach, stressing that Alhassan’s case is not unique. “It’s time we prioritize the dignity, safety, and freedom of every Sierra Leonean,” he concluded.
