Tonkolili District
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| Tonkolili District | |
| Country | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Capital | Magburaka |
| Province | Northern Province |
| Government | |
| - Paramount Chief | Bai Sunthuba Osara |
| Population (2004) | |
| - Total | 347,197 |
| Time zone | Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-5) |
Tonkolili District is a district in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Its capital and administrative center is Magburaka. The district occupies a total area of 7,003 km² and comprises eleven Chiefdoms. It has a population of 347,197 (2004 census). Tonkolly District borders Bombali District to the northwest, Kono District to the east, Kenema District and Bo District to the southeast. It was a rebel stronghold during the civil war and one of the last to disarm.
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[edit] Demographics
The estimated population of the district was 347,197 (2004 census). The population is mostly Muslim. The ethnic makeup of Tonkolili District put the Temne at 60%, the Limba at 18% and 22% from other ethnic groups.
[edit] Economy
Economically, there is significant potential for an extractive economy, specifically the mining of gold and to a lesser extent diamonds. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the economy, mostly at the Magbass sugar production facility and refinery. There are several hydroelectric power systems in the district, especially at Bumbuna. There is also as game reserve at Mamunta. However, economic development is hindered by the destruction of facilities during the civil war.
[edit] Education
Before the civil war, education was highly esteemed, especially in Arabic and English. Since the end of the conflict, schools have been rebuilt to a large extent and even created, including an Arabic college. As of 2004, the district was home to 310 primary schools which had nearly 74,000 students. It was also home to 15 secondary schools.
[edit] Government
Tonkolili District currently has nine Representatives in the Sierra Leonean Parliament, of which eight members were elected for a 5-year term. Below is the District representatives in Parliament and their affiliations:
- Sunthuba Bai Osara - Paramount Chief of Tonkolili District
- Musu Kandeh (APC)
- Mabel Turay (APC)
- Fatmata Hassan (SLPP)
- Abdulai Fornah (APC)
- Emanuel Tholley (SLPP)
- Salieu Alie Sankoh (APC)
- Usman Kargbo (APC)
- Edward Sembu Koroma (APC)
[edit] Notable people from Tonkolili District
- Foday Sankoh, former RUF leader
- Zainab Bangura Sierra Leone's foreign minister
- Minkailu Bah, Sierra Leone's minister of Education, Youth and Sports
- Musa Yamba Komeh, former MP for Magburaka
[edit] External links
- Tonkolili District at the Sierra Leone Encyclopedia 2006
- Warning of the health hazard in the Tonkolii district
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