By: Problyn J. Alpha
The Regent Chief of Kamara Chiefdom in Kono District, Chief Charles Quee, has indefinitely suspended mining activities on a piece of land in Tombodu Town, Kamara Chiefdom.
The decision, which took effect on Saturday, January 31, 2026, followed a peaceful protest staged by a cross-section of Bondo Society women in Tombodu Town. The women protested what they described as the illegal takeover of land that had belonged to them for more than three years.
According to reliable information, the disputed mining concession is a parcel of land originally allocated by the late Paramount Chief Sahr Fania of Kamara Chiefdom to women in Tombodu Town. The allocation was intended to promote women’s development initiatives and support the social activities of Bondo Society members in the community.
However, sources further revealed that the land had allegedly been mismanaged over the years, benefiting only a few individuals rather than the intended women beneficiaries. As a result, the affected women organized a peaceful protest within Tombodu Township.
During the protest, the women first visited the Town Chief of Tombodu before proceeding to the mining site. Carrying traditional societal leaves and materials, the protesters stormed the concession and discovered an excavator and two giant generators actively operating, with at least three foreign nationals reportedly supervising the mining activities. The investors fled the site upon seeing the protesters.
At the mining site, the women placed societal leaves and chains on the excavator and at the entrance of the concession, warning that anyone who attempted to remove them would face traditional sanctions.
Following the protest, the mining site was abandoned, and all machines were shut down. The Regent Chief, Chief Charles Quee, subsequently convened a town hall meeting with the protesters. After listening to their concerns, he announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all mining activities on the land.
Chief Quee confirmed that the land rightfully belongs to the women of Tombodu Town and denied having entered into any agreement permitting mining on the site. He also stated that efforts to reach Mr. Ben, reportedly the principal investor, had been unsuccessful.
“The women of Tombodu Town own the land in question, and to prevent further misuse, I have indefinitely suspended all mining activities on the site with immediate effect,” Chief Quee emphasized.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to schedule a general stakeholders’ meeting to amicably resolve the matter.