By Fohad Mbaimba Kallay in Kono.
Traditional Authorities (TAs) of Gbense Chiefdom, in Kono District, are set to elect their new Paramount Chief after 20 years. The proposed Paramount Chief election results from the demise of the late Paramount Chief, Hon. PC Sahr Fengia Korgbende Kaimanchende, the third of Gbense Chiefdom in Kono District, Eastern Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Hon. PC Fengia Korgbende Kaimanchende, the third of Gbense Chiefdom Kono District, was born on 24th November 1936 and was elected Paramount Chief of Gbense Chiefdom in 2002. He ruled from 2002 to 2022. The late Paramount Chief died in Ghana on the 11th of January 2022. His death created a vacuum for the Paramount Chieftaincy in Gbense Chiefdom.
Gbense Chiefdom traces its origins in the Pre-colonial period to a worrier named Kaimanchende M'ba, which means" fearsome" in the Kono language, during the 19th century. It is claimed that the late Paramount Chief held authority over Gbense Chiefdom and adjacent Chiefdom, and he conquered other territories in and out of the Kono District.
During the colonial period, Gbense Chiefdom had six ruling houses recognized by the colonial administration. These were the Korgbende ruling house, the Njaakui ruling house, the M'ba ruling house, the Thorlie ruling, the Bona rulli g House, and the Tap Kabba ruling house, respectively.
Paramount Chiefs are currently elected based on tribal authorities, and it is a traditional system of government under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. The Chieftency act of 2009 provides for the qualification, election, powers, function and removal of a person as a Paramount Chief and chief for other matters related to Chieftency.
Before now , 14 aspirants had shown interest in the throne of Gbense Chiefdom. The declaration process was one of the most critical stages. It was staged on the 20th December 2023, hosted at the Gbense Native Administration Hall in Koidu, which brought together hundreds of people, including the SDO, Eastern region Provincial secretary, Director of Local Government and Community Affairs, Paramount Chiefs, security personnel, and the media among others.
According to the Eastern Region Provincial secretary, Bai M. Turay , assisted by the two ancestral Paramount Chiefs, declared 7 successful aspirants were given boxes among the 14 aspirants. " Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimanchende, Tamba Komoh Thorlie, Sahr Barkuneh Korgbende Kaimanchende, Sahr Njaakui Bona Morgbuanbisie, Samuel Marke sahr Thorlie, Sheku Korgbende Kaimanchende and Sahr Emmanuel Yambasu Korgbende Kaimanchende" Bai M. Turay announced the successful aspirants.
He said seven aspirants are qualified for the Gbense Paramount Chieftency to have boxes for the fourth coming PC election. Some of the unsuccessful aspirants, as well as their supporters, challenged the outcome of the declaration.
The Gbense Chiefdom Paramount Chieftency election is slated to be on the 16th of January 2024. Only seven candidates are in the race.
Gbense Chiefdom is among the class of Chiefdoms across the country. It is known for mining and agriculture activities. The Chiefdom anchored almost all government offices, including the major public places and Institutions, Including the unfinished Kono University of Science and Technology, Koidu Government Hospital (KGH), and Football Field Central marketplace, which is the business hub for the district. Gbense Chiefdom made part of the City.
The Senior District Officer, security sector, and the Council of Paramount Chiefs have called for a peaceful election and urged the PC candidates to be law abiding and ensure a peaceful election on the 16th of January 2024. All the candidates committed to peace and the Development of the Chiefdom.
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