Kenema
Kenema, Sierra Leone | |
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UTC±0 (GMT) |
Based on the 2021 national mid-term census, Kenema has a population of 255,110.
Kenema is one of Sierra Leone's most ethnically diverse cities. Like most parts of Sierra Leone, the Krio language of the Sierra Leone Creole people is by far the most widely spoken language in Kenema.[4][5]
Kenema is governed by a
As in the rest of Sierra Leone,
Kenema is known as the hometown of some of Sierra Leone's greatest international soccer stars, including the country's most widely known athlete, retired soccer star Mohamed Kallon. Other notable Sierra Leonean international footballers from Kenema include the country's current top striker, Kei Kamara, and retired soccer stars Paul Kpaka, Kemokai Kallon and Musa Kallon.
Kenema's growth was originally promoted by the logging and carpentry industries, which were linked to the city by the now-closed railway. Since then, its economy has benefited from the diamond mines first discovered in the area in 1931.
2014 Ebola outbreak
Kenema was the origin and first place in Sierra Leone to report Ebola.[6]
Government
The city of Kenema is one of Sierra Leone's six
In Presidential elections, Kenema has voted for the Sierra Leone People's Party by a vast majority of over 70%.
Demographics
Kenema is the third largest city in Sierra Leone. one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Sierra Leone. The city is home to all of the country's ethnic groups, though the Mende people make up the largest ethnic group.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1974 | 31,458 | — |
1985 | 52,473 | +66.8% |
2004 | 128,402 | +144.7% |
2015 | 200,443 | +56.1% |
source:[8] |
Education
As in the rest of Sierra Leone, Kenema has an education system with six years of primary school (Class 1-6), and six years of secondary school (Form 6-12); secondary schools are further divided into Junior secondary school (Form 1-3) and Senior secondary school (Form 4-6). Primary schools usually start from ages 6 to 12, and secondary schools usually start from ages 13 to 18. Primary Education is free and compulsory in government-sponsored public schools. Prominent schools in Kenema include the Kenema Government Secondary School (GSSK), Holy Trinity Secondary School, Ahmadiyya Secondary School, Holy Rosary Secondary School, Islamic Secondary School, and the Kamboi Lebanese International School.
The Eastern Technical University (ETU) situated at the main Combema Road is the highest learning institution in the city, offering certificates and degree courses.
Health
Kenema and Bo are endemic areas for a highly contagious tropical hemorrhagic fever known as Lassa fever. The Kenema Government Hospital is the centre of an international effort to combat the disease with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAMSIL. New laboratories to improve rapid diagnosis are being installed at the hospital, which admits between 250 and 500 suspected cases per year.
In 2020, the World Health Organization secured a €500,000 grant from the
Transportation
Local car taxis, tricycles (Kekeh), and motor bike taxis called Okada. The city is served by the Kenema Airport.
Sport
As in the rest of the country, football is by far the most popular sport in Kenema. The city's most popular football club is the
Media
The five main radio stations in Kenema are Eastern Radio 101.9, Radio Nongowa - SPIN FM 101.3, City Radio 103.3, Starline Radio 98.4 and Sierra Leone's national radio and television stations, SLBS TV, and SLBS Radio are on the air in Kenema. The BBC World Service, CNN International, and several other international stations are on the air in Kenema on satellite only.
Notable people
- Mohamed Kallon, football star
- Emmerson, musician
- Professor David John Francis, Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone
- Paul Kpaka, football star
- Alpha Lansana, football star
- Kei Kamara, football star
- Brima Sesay, football star
- Kemokai Kallon, football star
- Musa Kallon, football manager
- Dr Salia Jusu-Sheriff, former vice president of Sierra Leone and first West African chartered accountant
- J. B. Dauda, a former Sierra Leonean politician
- Amadou Bakayoko, professional footballer, formerly with United Kingdom Championship Coventry City, now playing as striker with EFL League One team Forest Green Rovers and playing for Sierra Leone national team
Gallery
References
- ^ "Sierra Leone: Badrudeen Mission builds Mosque for Prison Barrack". 2013-07-03.
- ^ "Kenema (District, Sierra Leone) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location".
- ^ "Kenema (District, Sierra Leone) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location".
- ^ "Krio Translation Services". Language9.com. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-19-928675-1.
- PMID 25214632.
- ^ https://swap.stanford.edu/20121208000239/http://www.nec-sierraleone.org/index_files/Mayor_Chairperson%20Result%202012.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Kenema population statistics
- ^ "WHO strengthens partnership with GIZ to scale up COVID-19 testing in Sierra Leone". Sierra Express Media. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Maxmen, Amy (July 21, 2020). "Ebola prepared these countries for coronavirus — but now even they are floundering". Nature. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
External links
- The Kenema District Association Archived 2019-10-11 at the Wayback Machine