Report Of Stakeholders Meeting held by Talking Drum Studio in Kambia District

The Talking Drum Studio (TDS) under the EMPOWERING WOMEN, YOUYH AND MAGINALIZED GROUPS FOR INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE PROJECT and as part of their activities in celebrating THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2025 held District level Stakeholders meeting at SHADE facility on the 9^th October 2025.

TDS used this occasion to collect feedback on the previous meeting where issues that have potential threat to the existing peace in Kambia District were discussed.

SHADE and WRAG did the mobilization. 50 people from amongst Women Community Solidarity Groups, School clubs, the SLP, ONS, District Council, PLOs and CSOs participated in the meeting.

Amongst key issues discussed and still remain potential threat to peace were:

• Encroachments on the Right of way: this has resulted to violent confrontations between encroachers and district authorities along the Freetown/Conakry highway. High level decisions awaiting execution include the demolition of structures. Solid buildings, business houses and makeshift structures along the highway will be affected by this decision and will leave hundreds of traders and residents out of key livelihood activities and increase their suffering.
• Land conflict in Tawuya, Headquarter town of Gbinleh Chiefdom over a piece of land used for administrative purposes. This has delayed the implementation of already funded project that involves the reconstruction of the Chiefdom court Barrie and administrative offices.
• The growing conflict between farmers and cattle rearers. This has turn out to be violent conflict in some chiefdoms leading to loss of cattle, wounding and other serious threat to lives of people involved.