Many Sierra Leoneans, for true, are not happy over news that their traditional independence lantern celebration is not certain.

Some hope that the lantern parade celebration will happen on the night or eve of Independence Day of April 27th this year. This is despite government has announced a ban on this celebration which has been put on hold since 2018 when President Julius Maada Bio took over power from former President Ernest Bai Koroma.

“I think the lantern is on Monday 28th April.”

“That is what I heard. I don’t know if that is true,” says Hassan, a resident in Waterloo Town.

Surely, those in Western Area Rural District of Freetown and those living in the capital Freetown would love to celebrate their Independence Day, a special day of rememberance to them when Sierra Leone became freed from British Colonial rule.

But they have not got a clear information on the event’s celebration, which the government, last month had declared to be celebrated this year.

But a notice later came out declaring a ban on lantern celebration citing for a state security reason.

The Government of President Maada Bio had long ago, for over six (6) years, had announced a total ban on all traditional street dances including Sierra Leoneans’ most loved Lantern Parade.

Unlike in countries like Brazil which usually celebrates Samba Dance Festival, and the Gambia, South Africa, etc, Sierra Leone’s Independence Lantern Parade is stopped from being celebrated.

No one knows whether the government will give a second thought or not by re-declaring the traditional lantern dance festival by Sierra Leoneans to hold this time after a 6 year period ban.