Pujehun District

Pujehun District is a district in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. Pujehun District is one of the sixteen Districts of Sierra Leone. Its capital and largest city is the town of Pujehun .^[4][5] The other major towns in the district include Sahn Malen, Zimmi, Jendema, and Potoru. As of 2015, the district has a population of 345,577.^[2]

Pujehun District
Location of Pujehun District in Sierra Leone
Coordinates: 7°20′N 11°30′W
Country	Sierra Leone
Province	Southern Province
Capital	Pujehun
Largest city	Pujehun
Government
• Type	District Council
• Council Chairperson	Foday Kandeh Rogers (SLPP) [1]
• Deputy Council Chairperson	Madam Millicent Konneh(SLPP)
Area
• Total	4,105 km2 (1,585 sq mi)
Population  (2015 census)[2]
• Total	345,577
• Density	84/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Greenwich Mean Time)
HDI (2017)	0.357[3] low · 13th

The district of Pujehun borders the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest, the Republic of Liberia to the southeast, Kenema District to the northeast, Bo District to the north and Bonthe District to the west. It occupies a total space of 4,105 km² and comprises twelve chiefdoms.

The population of Pujehun District is mainly from the Mende ethnic group, though minority ethnic groups are also found in the District. Pujehun District is a large Muslim majority district, though there is a significant Christian minority as well.

History

In 1982 the Ndogboyosoi (bush devil) War was fought in the district.^[6]

Geography

Pujehun District is located at the southeast corner of Sierra Leone bordering Atlantic Ocean in the southwest and the Liberia to the southeast. The climate is tropical with a wet and dry seasons. At the 2004 census the population of Pujehun District was 234,234^[7] the estimated population in 2010 was 276,970.^[7] The district has one of the lowest population densities of Sierra Leone, with most people living in villages of less than 2000 residents.^[8]

Economy

Diamond mining is a major economic activity in the district, as well as agricultural production of cassava, coffee, and cacao.

Government

Pejehun District has six Representatives in the Sierra Leonean Parliament, of which five members were elected to a 5-year term. Below are Pejehun District Representatives in the Parliament:

• Matilda Lansana Minah – Paramount Chief of Pujehun District
• Ansumana Jaia Kaikai (SLPP)
• Sidie Tunis (SLPP)
• Dixon Rogers (SLPP)
• Dauda Fahundu (SLPP)
• Senesie Fahundu (SLPP)

Former Ministers from Pujehun District:

• Sheik-Umarr Mikailu Jah (SLPP), 1996-2007.

Administrative divisions

Chiefdoms

Pre-2017 Prior to the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Pujehun District was made up of twelve chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision. Barri – Potoru Gallines Perri – Blama Kpaka – Masam Kpanga Kagonde – Pujehun Makpele – Zimmi Malen – Sahn Mano Sakrim – Gbonjema Panga Krim – Gobaru Peje – Futta Soro Gbema – Fairo Sowa – Bandajuma Yekomo Kpukumu Krim – Karlu

Post-2017 After the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Pujehun District has made up of fourteen chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision. Barri – Potoru Gallines[a] – ? Kagonde[b] – ? Kpaka – Masam Kpanga[b] – Pujehun Makpele – Zimmi Malen – Sahn Mano Sakrim – Gbonjema Panga Krim – Gobaru Peje – Futta Perri[a] – Blama Soro Gbema – Fairo Sowa – Bandajuma Yekomo Kpukumu – Karlu Notes Formerly part of Gallines Perri Chiefdom; split off. Formerly part of Kpanga Kagonde Chiefdom; split off.

Religion

Religion in Pujehun District (2015)[9]
Religion			Percent(%)
Islam			94.6%
Christianity			4.8%
Baháʼí			0.0%
Traditional African religions			0.0%
Other			0.2%
No Religion			0.4%