Koidu Youth Leader Declared Wanted dead or alive by Poro Society
By Komba Yandemo
Chernor Sulaiman Bah, a youth leader from Koidu Town in Kono District, Sierra Leone, has reportedly been declared “wanted dead or alive” by the Poro Society after a dramatic escape from their custody in 2021.
Born on April 27, 1989, Bah is a well-known figure in his community. He has served as Chairman of the Koidu Progressive Youth Organization and is recognized for his active involvement in youth empowerment, counseling, and leadership. He is also linked to the All People’s Congress (APC) youth movement, where his influence among young people has been widely acknowledged.
According to accounts, Bah became a target of the Poro Society because of his broad influence among young people and his consistent efforts to guide them toward alternatives outside of traditional secret societies. He reportedly counseled youths on pursuing education, leadership, and self-fulfillment rather than joining societies that, in his view, offered limited opportunities for future growth and development.
On September 16, 2021, Bah was allegedly captured by members of the Poro Society and taken to their shrine. Reports suggest that the move was intended to coerce him into initiation and to suppress his growing influence, which some traditionalists viewed as a threat to their authority.
In a turn of events, Bah managed to escape on September 20, 2021, with the assistance of a family friend who is said to be a member of the society. His escape, however, came at a steep cost. The Poro Society, known for its strict laws and secrecy, reportedly declared him wanted dead or alive, warning that no initiated member or anyone who has been captured for initiation is allowed to abandon the society.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between traditional practices and modern youth movements in Sierra Leone. While secret societies like the Poro have historically played significant cultural and social roles, increasing numbers of young people are seeking alternative paths in leadership, education, and civic participation.
Bah’s stance, coupled with his defiance of initiation, places him at the center of a broader debate on the future of traditional societies in a rapidly modernizing Sierra Leone. His supporters view him as a symbol of resistance against forced practices, while his detractors within the society consider him a direct threat to long-standing traditions.
As of now, Bah’s safety and whereabouts remain uncertain, but his case continues to spark discussions on freedom of choice, cultural practices, and the rights of young people in Sierra Leone and Koidu Town to be specific.
