The President, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, has today, October 31st 2025 presented staff of office to 17 newly elected paramount chiefs from across chiefdoms in the Sierra Leone, marking a formal recognition of their Chieftaincy pursuant to Part IV, Section 17(a) of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009. The ceremonious event took place in Kambia District.
The recently appointed paramount chiefs, who were elected between 2024 and 2025, are from a variety of regions, including Falaba, Kambia, Bo, Port Loko, Kerene, and Tonkolili.
“Today marks your official induction into a sacred responsibility — to serve your people faithfully and to support government in driving development across your chiefdoms,” he said.
President Bio acknowledged the existence of ongoing boundary and de-amalgamation disputes in some chiefdoms and called for calm, patience, and unity as the government works toward peaceful resolutions.
“I am a proud member of this sacred institution. I have great respect for the chieftaincy and remain committed to preserving it,” he affirmed, urging the new Paramount Chiefs to act as bridges between their communities and the government.
He reminded the traditional leaders that chiefdoms remain the bedrock of national development and encouraged them to champion peace, mediate local conflicts, guide young people, and set positive examples in their communities.
Speaking on the growing kush crisis in the country, President Bio urged the newly chiefs proactive in the war against kush.
“Kush is a poison that destroys our youth and our future. We must all work together to eliminate it. My government has already established rehabilitation facilities across the country to support recovery,” he stressed.
The Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, commended the President for his steadfast commitment to traditional governance. He disclosed that with the new inductees, a total of 77 Paramount Chiefs have been formally recognized since President Bio assumed office in 2018 — a testament to his support for inclusive and effective local leadership.
Welcoming the President to Kambia, Paramount Chief Bai Farama Tass Ngbak Bubu IV of Magbema Chiefdom praised the government’s continued engagement with traditional institutions.
“Chieftaincy is the smallest but most sacred unit of governance, handed down by our ancestors. We must protect its dignity,” he said, noting that Kambia District has already established a rehabilitation center to help victims of harmful drugs.
The colorful ceremony concluded with the official presentation of Staffs of Office to the 17 newly recognized Paramount Chiefs — a symbolic and historic gesture of trust, continuity, and shared responsibility for Sierra Leone’s progress.
