GoSL APPOINTS ARAFAN BAYOH AS MADINGO TRIBAL HEADMAN IN KONO

By Fohad Mbaimba Kallay

Chief Arafan Bayoh has been officially appointed as the Mandingo tribal head of Kono district by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. On the 4^th  of June 2026, Minister Ambassador T.J Lamina of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs symbolical presented the official appointment letter to Chief Arafan Bayoh as the newly appointed Mandingo tribal in Kono District in consultation with the leadership of the Mandingo Union Sierra Leone. The official duties of Chief Arafan Bayoh are expected to assist the central government in administration and support of members of the Mandingo community in Kono District on issues related to the customs and traditions of the Mandingo tribe and assisting in the collection of local tax in the district. “I am to congratulate on your appointment and to wish you fruit and peaceful tenure and you discharge the duties of tribal headman for the Mandingo community in Kono district” Ambassador T.J Lamina said.

The appointment of Chief Arafan Bayoh as the District Mandingo Tribal head came as a surprised by many, while he was deputised by his former boss, Sheikh Mohamed Lamin Fofanah. It is not clear surrounding the removal of Sheikh Mohamed Lamin from his position as Kono District Mandingo tribal head. It is believed by many that the appointment of Chief Arafan Bayoh is highly politically motivated.  

On Saturday 6^th June 2026, Chief Arafan Bayoh was officially presented to his host, Paramount Chief Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimachiande, the fourth of Gbense Chiefdom in Kono District, eastern region of Sierra Leone, with a high-level power delegation from both the district and national executive members. Speaking during the said occasion at his resident, PC Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimachiande the fourth of Gbense Chiefdom, on behalf of his chiefdom council, he welcomed the newly appointed district Mandingo Tribal Head and his delegation and congratulated him on his newly appointment and he reaffirmed his total support to ensuring he succeed in his tenure. He called on the Mandingo community to embrace peace and sanity among them for the overall development of the chiefdom and the district.

Speaking to this medium, Chief Arafan Bayoh highlighted his short-term and long-term development agendas. He stressed the need for total peace and sanity among the Mandingo. He assured total inclusion in his administration, promised to uphold the core values of the Mandingo customs and traditions, and sought the interest of his subordinates. He called on all and sundry to promote peace and unity over disputes and focus on the national development agenda of the President Julius Maada Bio administration.