BY ABDULAZIZ SAMURA
Sparking concerns among parents, teachers and irate residents, as the Minister of Social Welfare has been accused to have illegally attempting to take control of a field owned by Lifeline Nehemiah Projects meant for recreational purposes for over thirty (30) schools at Kuntorlor community in the eastern part of Freetown.
The claims were brought to light by the Executive Director at Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, Kuntorlor’s stakeholders ranging from the chief, school heads, youth leader to religious leaders who pointed out the negative impacts on pupils’ education and recreational activities.
According to the World Vision, the right to play for school children is a fundamental human rights of a child.
Speaking to this medium, Executive Director at Lifeline Nehemiah Projects (LNP), Prince Tommy Williams, on the 5th of September 2025, the Minister of Social Welfare together with the ministry’s permanent secretary came and told them that they have been instructed by the President of Sierra Leone and the Chief Minister to find a suitable place to construct a centre for Persons With Disability, adding that the field at Lifeline compound has been identified for the centre.
Mr. Williams further went on that he informed the minister that the said field is a legal property with conveyance of LNP and has been left for recreational activities for not only Lifeline school, but over thirty schools within the Kuntorlor community. “The minister refused to listen to my concern and told me that she was instructed from above and that nothing we can do about it. In a meeting with one of the directors of the ministry, John Conteh, I showed him a copy of the conveyance and stakeholders of the community informed Mr. Conteh that “the field belongs to Lifeline Nehemiah and has been the only recreational facility for thirty four (34) schools in the community.”
“Currently, there is a court injunction on the field as another land grabber attempted to grab it from the community. This field is ours, however, because of it is the only field in the community for sport and other schools activities, we as a humanitarian organization thought it fit to leave it for the community. Where does the ministry want us to conduct our sport activity and other school activities?” he asked.
He ended by appealing to the ministry to save the future of education, as according to him a field is a vital part of a well-rounded education, supporting pupils’ physical, emotional, and social development.
Chief Pa Alimammy Sesay gave a background of Kuntorlor community and vent out his anger on the minister, citing that she was expecting the minister to be a protector of children and not a thorn of happiness of children. He continued that the Kuntorlor community has been neglected in terms of development. “The filed, belonging to Lifeline Nehemiah Projects has been serving the community for school activities, crusades, carnivals among others. “We would not allow anyone to grab or take our field from us. We succeeded in persuading Lifeline to leave the field for the community. They accepted and now the minister want to take it from us! We are not challenging the ministry, but we would not allow anyone to deprive our children from accessing or enjoying extra-curricular activities,” Chief Sesay furiously revealed.
Youth Leader at Kuntorlor community, Salifu Rhonko Bangura said they are deeply concerned and outraged by the alleged attempt of the minister to grab their field, noting that the field is not just a piece of property, but a symbol of Kuntorlor’s meeting point or activities.
He urged authorities to intervene and take immediate action to protect their children’s education, stressing that they will not stand by while their children school’s future is compromised. “We call upon all the youths in the community to join us in this fight. Together, we can ensure that our school’s field is protected and preserved for future generations,” he said.
Lifeline Nehemiah School Junior Principal, Wilfred J. Sam, said he is deeply disturbed by the information surrounding the grabbing of their school field. He furthered that this field is an integral part of their students’ educational experience, providing a space for physical activity, recreation, and outdoor learning.
“I want to assure parents, students and staff that we are taking this matter very seriously and are working closely with relevant authorities to resolve the matter. We will do everything in our power to protect the interests of our school. The well-being and education of our students are of top priority, and we will fight to preserve the resources that are essential to their growth and development.”
In response, all effort to reach the minister remained futile however, the permanent secretary responded that the ministry will speak to the public as and when it deem it fit.
