Kono District
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| Kono District | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Capital | Koidu Town |
| Province | Province |
| Government | |
| - Paramount Chief | Abu Mbawa Kongoba |
| Population (2004 census) | |
| - Total | 355,401 |
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-5) |
Kono District is a district in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. Its capital and largest city is Koidu Town, which is also the fourth largest city in Sierra Leone. The population of Kono District was 355,401 in the 2004 census. The second largest town in the district is Yengema. Kono District borders the Republic of Guinea to the east, Koinadugu District to the west, Kenema District to the southwest, and Kailahun District to the southeast
The district has arguably been called the breadbasket of Sierra Leone's diamond. To some Sierra Leoneans, Kono district is the country's hope for development.
Before the civil war, Kono District was the most populous district in the country with a population well over 600,000[citation needed]; however, it experienced devastation during the Sierra Leone Civil War, which forced many of the residents out of the district. The district was heavily looted and constantly fought over due to the rich diamond reserves in the area.
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[edit] Demographics
In the 2004 census, the population of Kono was estimated to be 435,401. Kono District has one of the most ethnically diverse population in the country. The Kono people form the single largest ethnic group at 40%, and 60% from other ethnic groups.
[edit] Economy
Kono District is the largest diamond producer in Sierra Leone. Its primary economic activities also include gold mining and agricultural production of rice, coffee and cacao.
[edit] Sport
Kono is home to Sierra Leonean Premier League club the Diamond Stars of Kono. the club is one of the oldest, biggest, and most popular soccer clubs in Sierra Leone. The club have won the Sierra Leonean FA Cup once, in 1992.
[edit] Government
Kono District has nine Representatives in the Sierra Leonean Parliament, of which eight members were elected for a 5-year term. The district is a stronghold of the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party. Below is the list of Kono District Representatives Sierra Leonean Parliament:
- Abu Mbawa Kongobah- Paramount Chief of Kono District
- Komba Claudius Gbamanja (SLPP)
- Sahr Matturi (SLPP)
- Abdul Kai Foday (SLPP)
- Tamba Kaingbanja (SLPP)
- Augustine Bockarie (SLPP)
- Komba Eric Koedoyoma (SLPP)
- William Emmanuel Tommy (SLPP)
- Kai Thomas (SLPP)
[edit] Towns and villages
[edit] Popular culture
Kono District was the setting for much of Blood Diamond, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Honsou.
[edit] Notable people from Kono District
- Samuel Sam-Sumana, current vice president of Sierra Leone
- Johnny Paul Koroma, former head of state of Sierra Leone
- Sia Koroma, first lady of Sierra Leone
- Sam Bockarie, former RUF leader
- Solomon Musa, former vice chairman of the NPRC,
- Sidique Mansaray, football star
- Sahr Senesie, football star
- Komba Yomba, football star
- Patrick Bantamoi, football star
- Komba Mondeh, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Sierra Leonean army
- Mohamed Dabundeh, football star
- Francis Koroma, football star
[edit] Source
- Kono District at the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia 2006
- http://www.statehouse-sl.org/member-parliament.html
- http://www.mineralcommodities.com.au/mrc160606.php
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