By Richmond B Tholley
The Paramount Chief of Kafe Chiefdom, PC Dr. Masakma Madibie II has massively engaged in the cultivation and production of rice in his native chiefdom.
Kafe, a Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, is predominantly known for mining gold and other minerals but the traditional leader said he’s changing that narrative because, he said, agriculture is also viable and contributes to national development.
Currently, the Paramount Chief has cultivated over thirty (30) acres of rice.
The rationale behind the laudable venture, the chief said is to ensure there is food sufficiency in his chiefdom and the country at large.
The Chief who also doubles as the Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs in Tonkolili District said he’s going into agriculture because he also wants to complement the efforts of the government in securing food and contribute to nation-building.
“I want to complement the effort of government in promoting food sufficiency in the country because agriculture is Sierra Leone’s economic backbone,” PC Masakma Madibie said.
As a traditional leader, he said, he wants to change the perception that Chiefs must only sit in their Barrys deciding on matters.
Chiefs can also engage in farming like any other person, the Chief said.
In Kafe Chiefdom, the Chief said, every chief must farm.
This reporter visited the Kamaruku town, Kafe Chiefdom’s headquarters, and discovered large acres of rice farms.
The Paramount Chief called on other Chiefs to also go into farming to boost food sufficiency in their chiefdoms.
By the time harvesting would end, the Paramount Chief said, there would be enough food in Kafe and neighboring Chiefdoms.
Faced with many challenges, the Chief called on government, individuals, and organizations to support his dream.
“Currently, our people need a rice mill and other machinery to quickly boost their work,” the Chief said.
PC Dr. Masakma Madibie II is the first Paramount Chief of Kafe after 118 years since the chiefdom was amalgamated with neighboring Simiria Chiefdom, and it was previously called Kafe Simiria until it was split by the erstwhile government of President Ernest Bai Koroma a few years ago.
A year after his election, the Paramount chief is been widely acclaimed by people in and out of Kafe for his positive strides in changing his chiefdom and its people.
I knew PC Dr. J.B Tholley as a Dean of Faculty for Agriculture at UNIMAK. PC. Dr. Tholley has supported some us during those hard times we were at the University. He is man that encourages people to face challenges and believe in themselves. Honestly, the people of Kafe did not make any mistake for chosen such a developmental oriented person like Dr. Tholley. May you continue to serve your people to attract more support that will relief the suffering of your people. Please, my people continue to support PC Tholley since he leave by example and principles.
I knew PC Dr. J.B Tholley as a Dean of Faculty for Agriculture at UNIMAK. PC. Dr. Tholley has supported some us during those hard times we were at the University. He is a man that encourages people to face challenges and believed in themselves. Honestly, the people of Kafe did not make any mistake for chosen such a developmentally oriented person like Dr. Tholley. May you continue to serve your people to attract more support that will relief the suffering of your people. Please, my people continue to support PC Tholley since he leave by example and principles.
Keep it up mr pc of kafe chiefdom may Allah give you more strength and power to work for the Tholley Family as a whole an the chiefdom people more promotion is coming for you. THANKS!! Sheik Fuad Moyamba.