By: Unisa Totti Fofanah
Concerns over what many residents describe as restrictive and unfair local leadership practices have continued to grow in Port Loko, as frustration mounts among young people and community members over a prolonged limitation on organized jogging activities. The restriction, which has reportedly lasted for more than five years, is said to have deprived residents of an important avenue for physical exercise, recreation, and social interaction, despite repeated appeals and visible public demand for its reinstatement.
According to accounts gathered from residents and youth groups, several individuals, community-based organizations, and social development actors have on multiple occasions attempted to obtain official approval to organize jogging events. These requests, they say, have followed the necessary procedures and guidelines expected by authorities, yet have consistently been met with rejection, delays, or a lack of response. This pattern, residents argue, has created a growing perception of exclusion and raised concerns about transparency, consistency, and fairness in local decision-making processes.
What has further deepened public dissatisfaction is the contrast with other districts and towns across Sierra Leone, where weekend jogging and community fitness activities are regularly permitted and increasingly encouraged. In those areas, such events have become popular platforms for promoting healthy lifestyles, strengthening community bonds, and engaging young people in positive social activities. Against this backdrop, many in Port Loko feel left behind and unfairly deprived of opportunities that are readily available elsewhere.
Despite continued efforts by concerned citizens and social actors to engage relevant authorities in constructive dialogue, progress has remained limited. Residents claim that no clear or official explanation has been provided for the prolonged restriction, a situation they describe as both confusing and unjustifiable, especially for a community widely recognized for its relative peace and social cohesion.
Speaking to Public Trust Media, several youths expressed strong concerns and urged immediate intervention from key stakeholders, including local authorities, civil society organizations, and community leaders. They emphasized that weekend jogging is not merely a recreational activity, but an essential contributor to physical health, mental well-being, and positive youth engagement.
Many are now questioning whether the continued silence and lack of resolution on the issue serves the best interest of the community, calling for urgent dialogue and a fair reconsideration of the restriction to restore inclusivity and social participation in Port Loko.