President Bio Speaks on Fall of Historic Cotton Tree

President Julius Maada Bio has spoken in reaction to the fall of the historic cotton tree in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone.

Legend has it that the significance of the tree grew in 1792, when a community of individuals who had been previously enslaved established their settlement in the present-day Freetown.

While the precise age of the tree remains uncertain, historical records confirm its existence in 1787, making it widely regarded as the oldest cotton tree in the country.

Situated in the capital city, the Cotton Tree holds an iconic status as a monument and is prominently featured on the 10,000 Leones banknotes.

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the tree fell after a heavy rainfall in the country.

Reacting to the incident, President Bio said; “The iconic Cotton Tree has fallen due to the heavy downpour of rain in our capital this evening. A great loss to the nation. It was regarded as a symbol of liberty and freedom by early settlers.

Bio further added that the government will enact a monument at exact spot of the cotton tree to give credence to its history.

“We will have something at the same spot that bears testament to the great Cotton Tree’s place in our history. All voices will be brought together for this.”, He said.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

James Kissei Junior | 2023-05-27 03:03:45

Sierra Leoneans let us be wised in selecting anything else to replace the cotton 🌲.
Joseph Tommy | 2023-05-26 02:12:02

Everything in this world has it end. Time to born and time to die. Nothing last forever in this eirld. Everything that lives has it life spam.
Benjamin Taylor | 2023-05-26 00:45:38

For me Prezo Bio I will suggest we have a symbols of lions/lionesses, mountain, all tribes surround them together.
Brima Father Kamara | 2023-05-25 17:06:57

I may want us to replace the great cotton tree with an expensive roundabout, over head bridge and under ground road leading to our beloved state house
Mohamed Kamara | 2023-05-25 16:01:22

We need a tree that will cover the entire country with peace and freedom, not a cotton tree that represent evil powers.
Dauda Jalloh | 2023-05-25 14:25:41

Let the next government plant another Cotton tree as it symbolize liberty and freedom
Medija Deen Kamara | 2023-05-25 14:19:06

For sure, father of this.nation mama salone please replant or replace something at the spot to maintain the history of our beloved County. More especially this lost cotton tree 🌳 has known to be our country mapping may Allah bless mama salone Ameen.
John mark s conteh | 2023-05-25 14:09:19

Just build something replica and let move forward
Chris | 2023-05-25 13:40:28

Everything has end under this sun, it was the time of that cotton tree praise be to God
Bayo | 2023-05-25 13:36:24

I think the country must demonstrate her name now not a cotton tree again. The lion mountain must be represent in some way as our country symbol now. The country must roar again. The cotton tree still has a space in the history of Sierra Leone. Let there be a structure now like lions representing the country not a cotton tree because it will some day fall again.
Komba Joe | 2023-05-25 13:35:22

Prezo we need another cotte tree at the point
Brima Gbatekaka | 2023-05-25 13:14:04

Let the His Excellency Bio help to replant another cotton tree at the same point so that the historic memory will not go invain as it was protected by our early settlers in the 17th centeries
Alex Pratt | 2023-05-25 13:11:46

Praise be to God for this great thing He has done for us 🇸🇱👍Land That We Love Our Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
dauda sillah | 2023-05-25 08:45:17

finally Sierra Leone has been set free and we are set free indeed thank you Jesus
Mary Karlie | 2023-05-25 08:34:21

Sure prezo . We need something that will still symbolize as it is a symbol