Mr. Alfred Massaquoi, popularly known as King Alfred, has been a dedicated teacher at Samu Baptist Secondary School in Kassirie Town, Kambia District.

Beyond the classroom, he is celebrated as a musician, songwriter, and composer of the school’s official anthem, as well as the founding father of the school’s Foundation Day in Samu Chiefdom.

Married with five children, Mr. Massaquoi also serves as a Tribal Authority in Samu Chiefdom, where his leadership and contributions to education and community development have earned him great respect.

But one of the most defining experiences of his life came in 1993, when he embarked on a spiritual journey to one of Sierra Leone’s highest and most historic peaks Mount Sugar Loaf, located at Regent Village in the Freetown Peninsula. The mountain, which rises approximately 834 meters above sea level, has long been a symbol of endurance and faith for many.

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According to Mr. Massaquoi, the idea for the trip was born during an all-night prayer meeting at Bethel Temple Church, Tower Hill, led by the late Princess James, founder of James International the company known in the 1980s for producing the popular alcoholic beverage Sass Man.

Inspired by her vision to erect a golden cross and pray on top of the mountain, a team of five faithful believers decided to make the climb on January 1st, 1993. The team included:
• Evangelist Marcus Thorpe (Team Leader)
• Alfred Massaquoi
• Christian Cole
• Modupeh Thompson
• Retired Lieutenant Colonel Rev. Kenneth Edwards, a former officer of the United States Marine Corps.

The journey was anything but easy. As Mr. Massaquoi recalls, “The path to the mountain was steep, slippery, and full of danger. Deep inside the forest, you couldn’t hear the sound of a vehicle or a human being only the whisper of nature.”

Despite being physically challenged, he climbed the mountain without assistance, pushing through fatigue and fear. The team carried no weapons only their faith, food, and water. “There were moments when we had to crawl like babies because the ground was too slippery,” he said. “If you weren’t careful, you could easily fall into the deep valley and lose your life.”

Upon reaching the summit, they discovered a metal tablet engraved with the inscription “F.W.W. 1914”, believed to commemorate events from the First World War. There, surrounded by silence and the cool mountain air, the team offered prayers and praises to God for Sierra Leone, led by Rev. Lt. Col. Kenneth Edwards.

After the intense climb and prayer session, the group made their way down the mountain, exhausted but spiritually fulfilled. While most of the climbers stumbled and feel multiple times due to the rough terrain, Mr. Massaquoi proudly recalls being the only one who completed the journey without falling a testament, he says, to divine grace and perseverance.

Today, more than 30 years later, King Alfred Massaquoi continues to inspire students and community members through his music, teaching, and faith. His story is not just one of physical endurance but of spiritual conviction and courage a reminder that with faith and determination, even the steepest mountains can be conquered.