Sheikh Abdul Rahman Tejan Bangura, first Islamic scholar crowned as paramount chief in Sierra Leone (PC Sheikh Abdul Rahman Tejan Bangura Kafoir 1st) of Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom Sierra Leone.

On Wednesday the 23 February 2022, His Excellency President Dr retired brigadier Julius Maada Bio has crowned Paramount Chives from 13 chiefdoms across the country, among them is PC Sheikh Abdul Rahman Tejan Bangura Kafoir 1st in Kambia Town, Kambia District. Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom is in Karene District located in the North West Region of Sierra Leone and shares common borders with Bombali and Koinadugu Districts to the Northeast, Kambia and Port Loko Districts to the Northwest and with the Republic of Guinea to the Northeast and Northwest.

PC Bangura Kafoir 1ST Sheikh Abdurrahman Tejan said, today, he has come to step into the shoes that were left by his late Uncle whose name was Thaim Fera Bangura and he was the elder brother of his father whose name was Pa Alimamy Bangura, who former contested for Paramount Chief with Kandeh Wusu Sesay who was given a box but was unable to win.

When Kandeh Wusu Sesay passed away, another election was conducted and my brother Bakarr Sorieba Bangura contested with Kandeh Wusu Sesay II.” According to him, he has come to stand for this Chieftaincy as Kandeh Bangura 1st of Sanda Tendaren.” Having been out of ruling for over 134 years, adding that, he is the first to be crowned under the Bangura ancestry, that is why he is here to bring positive change, create inclusive and progressive impact, restore truth, hope, development, and strengthen religious tolerance.

As part of the connexion ceremonies, the relevance of traditional and customary practice, the President presented the symbols and medals of Office to the Paramount Chiefs from Sanda Taindaren, Pujehun, Fakunya, Lugbu, Yele, Kemukeh, Wara Wara Bafodia, Dembelia Musaia, Tonko Limba, Salima, Kunike Fulawusu, Jaiama and Sambaia Bendugu chiefdoms.

While presenting the traditional leaders earlier to the President, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Tamba Lamina, said his ministry would organise an orientation session for the new paramount chiefs to provide them with guides on how to work with their people, especially on how to manage and avoid conflicts. He also noted that his ministry was working very hard to achieve the President’s drive of making the institution of paramount chiefs a distinguished one.

Addressing the jubilant crowd at the coronation ceremony in Kambia, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio said it was a special occasion for the newly elected paramount chives, some of them were young people.

He noted that the venue for the coronation was agreed to because it was also the idea of the Kambia Paramount Chives many years ago to establish the Sierra Leone People’s Party, SLPP, and they later took it to the south where it became more vibrant.
He further admonished the people of Kambia to take advantage of the Free Quality Education his government had initiated, adding that it would certainly benefit children across the country, irrespective of their status and background.

Residence from this chiefdom confirms to this medium that, PC Bangura Kafoir 1ST Sheikh Abdurrahman Tejan has done several forms of development and impact to not just the chiefdom but the country in general, ranging from the construction of schools, construction of borehole water wells, feeding programs of dry-ration and cooking condiment and other health-related assistance to vulnerable, deprived and unprivileged people.