By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Former British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Komrabai Peter Penfold, has presented portraits of dozens of local Paramount Chiefs to the National Museum in Freetown, in recognition of their role in society.
The portraits were displayed at the Museum on 29th November, 2022.
In his statement, Penfold recalled his honorary crowning as Paramount Chief during his tenure as British High Commissioner, noting that similar people around the world like Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip have all been honored as Paramount Chiefs.
He pointed out that Paramount Chieftaincy is an important part of the history, culture and tradition of the country and it is important therefore that representatives of that culture should be present in the museum so that children could learn about the system. He spoke of how chieftaincy system has played an important part in present day Sierra Leone and its integral part of the country’s democracy.
“Fourteen Chiefs representing the fourteen districts of Sierra Leone are all sitting in Parliament alongside the elective Members of Parliament. So that demonstrate the important role they play today,” he said.
The former British High Commissioner stated that, it is the Chiefs the people turn to for guidance, and they provide the stability for the country. He said in due course, all 190 (one hundred and ninety) Paramount Chief portraits will be made available in the museum.
The Curator at the museum, Josephine Kargbo highlighted the mandate of the museum which she said is to work with everybody for the development of Sierra Leone. She encouraged children to always visit the place for research purposes, saying it will help them in their academic work.
Chairman Council of Chiefs, PC Sheku Fasuluku III, who witnessed the event said the thought by one of them, in the person of Komrabai Penfold to have their portraits displayed in the museum, is a moment to be proud of more especially for them that are still alive.
He recalled a programme hosted at State House by President Julius Maada Bio where he urged all Paramount Chiefs to make themselves relevant in the 21st Century.
He thanked PC Penfold for restoring the dignity of Paramount Chiefs in the country.
In his address, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Lisa Chesney reaffirmed that, the unveiling of the Paramount Chiefs’ portraits was a sign of Penfold’s peace connection to Sierra Leone and that his name will go down in th history of this country as someone who contributed immensely to the development of the country.
She said he came to Sierra Leone when the country was suffering in the hands of the rebels, noting that, he has always been that brave and determined diplomat.
Chesney stressed that Penfold should be recognized for the contributions he made in UK/Sierra Leone relationship and the country’s development.
“Sixty one years ago some of the Paramount Chiefs’ portraits were taken and displayed in the museum and sixty one years later, PC Komrabai (Penfold) has brought everyone together to mark a moment in history for the unveiling of another set of portraits of paramount chiefs which captures the role they played in society,” she said.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Melrose Karminty stated that Chieftaincy has remained a highly contested and traditional institution that most Sierra Leoneans identify with. She said chiefs are regarded as custodians of the nation’s cultural beliefs and practices. She added that, their position as intermediaries between the ancestral spirits and the people they represent make them sacred figures and their regalia, sacred objects.
Paramount Chieftaincy came into existence after the declaration of the protectorate in 1896 with 217 (two hundred and seventeen) Chiefdoms. She said, the Chiefdoms were later amalgamated to 149 (one hundred and forty nine) until in 2017 when another 41 got added, bringing to 190 (one hundred and ninety) the number of paramount chiefs in Sierra Leone.
The Paramount Chieftaincy is established by customary law and its non-abolition is guaranteed and preserved by law as enshrined in Section 72 Act No. 6 of the 1991 constitution.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online
