Pujehun District, Saturday, November 8th, 2025: The Council of Paramount Chiefs of Pujehun District including P.C. Usman Ansumana Wai II, the newly crowned Paramount Chief of Barri Chiefdom, and P.C. Mustapha J. Massaquio III, Paramount Chief of Soro Gbema Chiefdom joined other traditional leaders in attending the United Team Sierra Leone (U Team SL) Conference held in Pujehun District under the theme: “Transforming From District to National – The Role of Youth in Nation Building.”
Their participation at this historic gathering underscored the critical role of traditional authority in advancing grassroots-driven development and empowering Sierra Leone’s youth. Which is a holistic responsibility to descendants including traditional leaders, politicians, well-wishers to support their objectives as an organization.
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chiefs, P.C. Usman Ansumana Wai II commended U Team SL for its bold vision and mission to transform Pujehun District into a model of inclusive growth and national relevance. He emphasized that the he is expertise in the field of agriculture aligns with the organization’s focus on youth empowerment, volunteerism, peace, unity, and sustainability resonates strongly with the values of traditional leadership and the broader national development agenda.
In their collective remarks, “As custodians of tradition and culture, we stand with U Team SL to ensure that the voices of our youth are heard and their dreams supported. Nation building is not the work of government alone, it is the collective responsibility of chiefs, elders, youth, and citizens working together. The future of Pujehun depends on our unity and shared commitment,” they affirmed.
The Paramount Chiefs reaffirmed their serious commitment to supporting the mission and vision of U Team SL, pledging to collaborate with the organization in advancing programs that promote education, healthcare, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. They stressed that volunteerism must be embraced as a civic duty, noting that collective action by citizens is essential for peace, unity, and sustainable progress.
They further highlighted the importance of partnerships between traditional institutions, civil society, and government, noting that chiefs remain committed to supporting community-driven projects that foster resilience, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
The Council also acknowledged the challenges facing Pujehun District, noting that the conference provided a platform for honest dialogue and collective solutions. They encouraged descendants of the district, leaders, and stakeholders to unite behind U Team SL’s Six-Year Strategic Development Plan (SDP 2024–2030), which envisions Pujehun as a hub of resilience, innovation, and youth-led transformation.
Concluding their participation, the Paramount Chiefs issued a powerful call to action: “Let us unite behind the promise of a better future for Pujehun District and Sierra Leone. Let us embrace volunteerism, strengthen peace, and champion unity. Together, we can transform dreams into reality and ensure that the story of Pujehun becomes a beacon of hope and progress for the entire nation.”