Poetry Reading Club Charts New Course As Sierra Leone Youth Embrace Literary Revival
Throne Poetry Celebrates Growth, Leadership Transition at Fourah Bay College
A Gathering Focused on Literature and Youth Development
THE Poetry Reading Club (PRC) at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, has concluded another milestone reading session, reinforcing its commitment to promoting literary culture and creative expression among young people.
Held at the institution’s campus in Freetown, the session brought together established poets, student writers, literary enthusiasts and academics in a celebration of poetry, intellectual engagement and artistic development. The event also served as a platform for the announcement of a new executive team that will guide the club’s activities in the coming year.
Beyond the ceremonial transition, participants used the occasion to reflect on the growing challenge of sustaining reading culture among young people in an era increasingly dominated by digital entertainment and social media engagement.
Renewed Call to Strengthen Reading Culture
Speaking during the gathering, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the club, Madam Elizabeth L.A. Kamara, emphasized that the organization remains committed to restoring a vibrant reading culture in Sierra Leone.
Kamara, who serves as Head of the English Unit and Deputy Vice Chancellor II at Fourah Bay College, noted that literature remains an essential tool for intellectual development and national growth.
She encouraged young people to embrace poetry not merely as an academic exercise but as a means of personal expression, creativity and social engagement.
According to her, the club is eager to collaborate with institutions, organizations and stakeholders interested in advancing literary education and creative development across Sierra Leone.
Students Highlight Personal Growth
Several members of the club shared testimonies about the impact PRC has had on their academic and creative journeys.
Newly appointed Public Relations Officer, Alusine Jalloh, described the organization as a transformative platform that helped him discover and develop his writing abilities.
Having joined the club without prior experience in poetry, he said the mentorship, peer reviews and public reading opportunities provided by PRC enabled him to gain confidence as both a writer and performer.
Former President Sulaiman Munda Bonnie also reflected on the club’s role in nurturing emerging talents, describing creative writing as an essential component of human expression. He noted that the organization continues to serve as a training ground for future poets, storytellers and literary leaders.
New Executive Team Takes Charge
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of a new executive committee tasked with advancing the club’s vision.
Abubakarr Kamara, popularly known as “Sierra Phoenix,” was named President, while Bishop Sahr Isaac Peterson assumed the position of Vice President. Other members of the leadership team include Alusine Jalloh as Public Relations Officer, Sheku Feika as Secretary General and Fatima Marrah as Organizing Secretary.
The newly elected officers pledged to build on the achievements of previous administrations and expand opportunities for literary engagement among students.
Vice President Peterson expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in the new team and promised to work closely with members to strengthen the club’s impact on campus and beyond.
Poetry as a Tool for National Development
As the session concluded, participants reaffirmed the importance of literature in shaping critical thinking, communication skills and cultural identity.
The club called on students, alumni, educational institutions and development partners to support initiatives aimed at promoting reading, creative writing and literary excellence.
With renewed leadership and growing participation, PRC believes poetry can continue to inspire a new generation of thinkers, writers and storytellers in Sierra Leone.
