The Order of the Rokel is the second order of Sierra Leone, after the Order of the Republic. (Access date 28 June 2021) It may be awarded to recognize Sierra Leoneans who have distinguished themselves by making valuable contributions to the country in the areas of to the public service, arts and sciences, and philanthropy. The award is normally awarded by the President of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leonean awards, including the Order of the Rokel, do not have post-nominal titles and, while there are no official abbreviations, the most common used unofficially are GCOR (Grand Commander), COR (Commander), GOOR (Grand Officer), OOR (Officer) and MOR (Member).

History The Order was founded in 1972 by then-President of Sierra Leone, Siaka Stevens, who created the order with the aim of honoring Sierra Leoneans or foreign nationals for distinguished service to the country. It is named after the Rokel River, the largest river in Sierra Leone.

A ceremony to present insignia is undertaken annually by the President of Sierra Leone on Independence Day, 27 April. (Access date 28 June 2021)

Classes The order is composed of the following five classes:

Grand Commander (GCOR) Commander (COR) Grand Officer (GOOR) Officer (OOR) Member (MOR)

Notable recipients

Grand Commanders Brigadier Alfred Nelson-Williams, GCOR, 2007. Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh, GCOR, 2008 Joseph Opala, GCOR, 2012 Bertha Yvonne Conton, GCOR, 2012. Valentine Thomas Collier, GCOR, 2013 Abubakarr Multi-Kamara, GCOR, 2013 – Diplomacy. Adeliza Iyamide Showers, GCOR, 2013 – Judiciary. Alie Forna GCOR, 2014 – Rural Development and Micro-financing Andrew Karmoh Keili, GCOR, 2014 – Engineering and Politics. Brigadier (Rtd) Kellie Conteh, GCOR, 2014 – Security sector reform and founding the Office of the National Security. Dr. Thomas Kahota Kargbo, GCOR, 2014 – Medicine, politics and diplomacy. (Access date 28 June 2021) Justice Nyawoh Finda Matturi Jones, GCOR, 2014 – for services to the judiciary. Maude Regina Peacock, GCOR, 2014 – Education, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Vivian Margaret Solomon, GCOR, 2018 – Sierra Leone Supreme Court Justice. Ella Koblo Gulama, GCOR James Blyden Jenkins-Johnston, GCOR

Commanders Andrina Rose Coker, COR, 2013 Alhaji Chernoh Maju, COR, 2013 Alhaji Abdul Salam Noah, COR, 2014 – Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development. Alhaji Soulaiman Basirou Daramy, COR, 2013 – Diplomacy. Binta Mansaray, COR, 2014 – service to the Special Court for Sierra Leone. David Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux, COR – gallant leadership of the British Military intervention in the Sierra Leone Civil War. Dr. James Anthony Samba, COR, 2014 – Medicine. Frederick John Momodu Kamara, COR, 2014 – Social Welfare and Disability Issues. Gladys Ethel Omotunde Strasser-King, COR, 2014 – Commerce and Agriculture. Dr. James Caisa Boima, COR, 2013 Jean-Raymond Boulle, COR, 2007 – for services in mining and trade. Reverend Moses Benson Khanu, COR, 2014 – Religion and the Human Rights. Sahr Matturi, COR, 2013 Sahr Wonday, COR, 2013 Sampha Bilo Kamara, COR, 2014 – For service to the Department of Prisons. Sorbie Ndigi Dumbuya, COR, 2014 – For service to the University of Sierra Leone. Sulaman Kabba Koroma, COR, 2014 – Law Profession.

Grand Officers Abdul Rashid Bayoh GOOR, 2014 – Education and civil service. Ahmid Munirr Fofanah, GOOR, 2014 – Local government and rural development. Aminata B. Kallay, GOOR, 2014 – Business and Consular Cooperation. Andrew Gbebay Bangali GOOR, 2014 – Civil service and diplomacy. Daniel Olatunji Cole GOOR, 2014 – Civil and public service. Ernest Sahid Alie Surrur, GOOR, 2013 Francis Allieu Munu, GOOR, 2013 Ishmael B. Peters, GOOR, 2014 – Medicines. Julius Fofanah Sandy, GOOR, 2014 – Education and civil service. Lara Taylor-Pearce, GOOR, 2017 – Auditor General of Sierra Leone. Michael A. J. Rekab, GOOR, 2014 – Dentistry. Patrick Eustace Coker, GOOR, 2014 – Medicines and sports. Samir Khattar Hassanyeh, GOOR, 2013

Officers Akiwande Josiah William Lasite, OOR, 2014 – Education. Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka, OOR, 2018 – Paramount Chief, for services to the state. Brima Francis Bangura, OOR, 2014 – Government Printing Department. Clifford Rotimie Marcus Roberts, OOR, 2013 Doreen Zephina Faux, OOR, 2014 – Civil Service. Gary Schulze, OOR, 2014 – Education, History and Culture. Haja Fatmata Binta Wurie, OOR, 2014 – Civil Service. Jane Goodall, OOR, 2019 – Services to wildlife conservation in Sierra Leone. Joseph Saidu Momoh, OOR, 1974 – Sierra Leone's second president. Horatio Karty Max-McCarthy, OOR, 2013 Helen Chichia Keili, OOR, 2013 Mohamed Nfah Alie Conteh, OOR, 2014 – service to National Electoral Commission. Rev. Dr. Usman Jesse Fornah, OOR, 2014 – Evangelism. Rev. Prophetess Margaret Nabeh Brandon, OOR, – Evangelism. Rod Claude Wilhelm Kundeyomi Ma-Johnson, OOR, 2014 – Information and Communication and the Independent Media Commission. Sister Teresa McKeon, OOR, 2017 – Irish missionary and educator. Victor Ajisafe, OOR, 2013 – Pastor. For contributions to religion.

Members Agnes Diminga Labor, MOR, 1990 – Services to the Republic of Sierra Leone. Alhaji Borbor Bah, MOR, 2013 Alhaji Mohamed Malaisa Turay, MOR, 2014 – (Posthumously) Advancement of Islam. Alhaji Unis Yonka Sesay, MOR, 2014 – Advancement of Islam. Amadu Bangura, MOR, 2013 Bai Sebora Kasanga II, MOR, 2013 – Paramount Chief Charles Mambu, MOR, 2013 Crispin Feio Edwards, MOR, 2014 – Law profession. Denis Frank Kofi, MOR, 2018 – for services to the state. Donald Osman, MOR, 2013 Dustana Remilcku Thompson, MOR, 2014 – Hotel Management. Fatou Yayah Kargbo, MOR, 2013 Hawa Turay-Sesay, MOR, 2013 Dr. Jeremiah Sinnah-Yovonie Kangova II, MOR, 2013 – (Posthumously) Paramount Chief Rev. John Admire Thomas, MOR, 2014 – Accountancy. Joseph Mamboh, MOR, 2018 – for services to the state. Major Sahr David Thomas, MOR, 2018 – for services as the Chief Instructor at the Peace Mission Training Centre. Miriam Mason-Sesay, MOR, 2013 Mohamed Kallon, MOR, 2013 – Inter Milan footballer. Odette Awada, MOR, 2013 Mohamed Sama Kailondo Banya, 2013, MOR – Paramount Chief. Patrick Daniel Koroma, MOR, 2008 Peter Christian Andersen, MOR, 2014 – Communication. Prince Tungie W. Lightfood Taylor, MOR, 2014 – Economy. Reginald Woodruff Olujimi Beresford During, MOR, 2013 Reverend Debora Y. Freeman, MOR, 2014 – Contributions to the state. Reverend Kathleen Gloria Adesimi Betts Cole, MOR, 2014 – Philanthropy. Reverend Michael Sumaila Samura, MOR, 2013 Reverend Thomas Johnnard Barnett, MOR, 2014 – Evangelism. Sylvanus Eugene Chukwema Ronnie-Decker, MOR, 2013 Tamba Songu Mbriwa, MOR, 2014 – (Posthumously) Paramount Chief. Local Government Administration. Theresa Fatu Kamara, MOR, 2014 – Department of Prisons. Thomas Conteh, MOR, 2013 Thomas Tamba Kamara, MOR, 2014 – Police Force. Umaru Bangura, MOR, 2017 – Captain of the Leone Stars, Sierra Leone's national football team. Victor Lansana Koroma, MOR, 2013 Yayah Kamara, MOR, 2014 – Department of Prisons.

Unspecified Gibril Sesay, 1986. James 'Jimmy B' Bangura, 2001 – music and film producer.

See also Orders, decorations, and medals of Sierra Leone Order of the Republic Presidential Award

References and sources Republic of Sierra Leone: Order of the Republic

References