By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In what is being hailed as a significant win for community-led development and local investment, the people of Tonkolili District, led by three Paramount Chiefs and Members of Parliament, has on Wednesday June 4, 2025, formally signed a landmark land lease agreement with the Gento Group, spearheaded by prominent businessman and philanthropist Mohamed Gento Kamara. The agreement grants Gento Group the rights to operate and invest in the mineral-rich Kasafoni Land, situated in the northern belt of Tonkolili District.


The announcement was made during the grand homecoming ceremony of the newly sworn-in Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, held in Bendugu Town, Sambaia Chiefdom. The event attracted thousands of locals who gathered to witness the return of their Chief and to welcome Gento Kamara on his first official visit to the area.

Speaking at the event, Paramount Chief Alhaji Musa Bamba Jalloh III lauded Mohamed Gento Kamara and his company for their integrity and commitment to local empowerment. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the people for the timely surface rent payments already made under the lease agreement—a sharp contrast to previous experiences with other investors.

“When we signed a lease agreement with Kingho Mining, we got nothing. No jobs, no meaningful community benefits,” the Paramount Chief said. “But with Gento Group, we have already received surface rent, and we believe this partnership will bring long-term benefits, including job creation and infrastructure development.”

The Paramount Chief made it clear that the people of Sambaia Chiefdom and the wider Tonkolili District have given their full endorsement to Gento Group as the sole rightful investor in the Kasafoni Land. “We are not ready to work with any other investor. We have consulted our ancestors, and they gave a positive nod to Gento Kamara. He is one of us—a Sierra Leonean who understands our needs and will deliver.”

Chairing the occasion, Hon. Jawa Sesay described the day as historic, not just for the signing of the lease agreement but also for the unifying effect it has brought to the region. “For the first time in history, a native of Koranko land is representing Tonkolili in Parliament. And now, our lands are under the stewardship of someone who truly respects local ownership—Gento Kamara,” he remarked.

Hon. Sesay went on to commend Gento for his outstanding contributions to national infrastructure, particularly road construction projects that have improved connectivity across the country. “This is what localization is all about—empowering our own to bring lasting change,” he said.

The Kasafoni Land, which has long remained underutilized despite its vast mineral potential, is now poised for responsible investment under the Gento Group. With this lease agreement, the local communities are expecting not only job opportunities but also roads, schools, and health facilities as part of the company’s community development commitments.

The decision to back Gento Kamara also aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s directive that no mining license shall be granted without a valid land lease agreement signed by the host communities. In this regard, the people of Tonkolili have taken a proactive step by putting their trust in a fellow Sierra Leonean investor with a proven track record of delivering on promises.

“We’ve seen what happened with Koidu Limited and Kingho Mining—so many promises, so little return,” said another chief from the region. “This time, we choose transparency, we choose action, and above all, we choose Gento.”

As the crowd cheered, the mood across Sambaia Chiefdom was one of hope and renewal. The people believe that this partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter—one where local resources are harnessed for local benefit, and where trust is placed not in foreign speculation, but in homegrown solutions. And at the heart of it all stands Mohamed Gento Kamara—a man now seen not just as a businessman, but as a brother and a builder of communities. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/gento-group-secures-landmark-land-lease-agreement-in-northern-tonkolili/