On the 29 September 2026: Paramount Chief John Jibao Russell Nyaama II of Lower Banta Chiefdom, who also serves as National Vice Chairman of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs in Sierra Leone, has called on union leaders, community groups and residents of Gbangbatoke to strengthen unity and work together to promote development in the community.
The Paramount Chief made the call during a meeting he summoned with heads of various unions and community-based groups in Gbangbatoke on 29 September 2026. The meeting focused on ways community leaders and their respective organisations could work together to address local concerns and improve development.
In his address, PC Russell Nyaama expressed concern that, during his 16 years of leadership, he had not seen sufficient tangible development initiatives from some unions and associations in the interest of their members. He therefore urged union executives to become more active, accountable and responsive to the needs of their members.
He particularly highlighted concerns involving the Boat Owners Association, stressing the need for boat owners to work together to improve safety on the water. He called for the establishment and maintenance of a rescue boat or engine and urged the association to create an effective communication channel through which emergencies and other concerns affecting boat operators and passengers could be reported and addressed promptly. The Paramount Chief also introduced his 2026 slogan, “No Drama for Lower Banta,” which he said reflects his commitment to development and collective responsibility.
PC Russell Nyaama emphasised that development should not be seen as the sole responsibility of community members, saying that he, as Paramount Chief, also has a role to play in initiating and supporting development efforts.
His statement attracted applause from members of the community.
Responding to the Paramount Chief, Abdul Nasiru Mansaray said development should be a shared responsibility between the traditional leadership and the people of Gbangbatoke. He called on residents to unite and work hard, while also pledging that community members would do their part. Mansaray said the community would engage in development efforts and later assess the results of their collective work alongside the efforts of the Paramount Chief and his administration.
The response prompted a light-hearted reaction from PC Russell Nyama, who described the situation as “a battle of progress” between the Gbangbatoke community and the Paramount Chiefdom administration.
The Paramount Chief also addressed young people, urging them to respect the law and use the appropriate channels when dealing with disputes and community concerns. He cautioned that village and section chiefs should not unlawfully impose or amend fines beyond their legal authority. He further encouraged young people not to allow themselves to be used to create tension in the community. Instead, he advised them to report concerns to the appropriate authorities for peaceful resolution.
On substance abuse, PC Russell Nyaama appealed to young people to stay away from drugs, stressing the importance of building a community where children can grow up free from drug-related problems.
Meanwhile, community members raised concerns about the need for the Paramount Chief to visit Gbangbatoke more frequently so that he could better understand their challenges and work with them to find solutions. Responding to the concerns, PC Russell Nyaama said efforts were being made to improve the operations of his office. He promised to increase his presence in Gbangbatoke, telling residents that he intended to visit the community every week. Community members welcomed the commitment, saying they appreciated the Paramount Chief’s leadership but wanted greater attention to be given to Gbangbatoke and its development needs.
PC Russell Nyama also promised to support the construction of a new market structure in Gbangbatoke. He further encouraged the various unions and community groups to unite so that they could jointly develop projects and seek support for their implementation.
He also pledged to work with union executives to strengthen their organizations and explore the possibility of providing office space where they could channel complaints, concerns and other matter concerning their members.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for cooperation between the Paramount Chiefdom administration, union leaders and the people of Gbangbatoke, with emphasis on unity, lawful engagement, community safety and practical development initiatives.
