I read in your book, A New Day Dawns of the historical importance of the Cotton tree in Freetown, Sierra Leone but recently this tree collapsed and is no more. What impact does this have on the people of Freetown?
The cotton tree was the symbol of Sierra Leone's independence. The actual age of the tree was difficult to establish but it was believed to be over 400 years. When the first of freed slaves arrived in Sierra Leone in 1820 they worshipped and thanked God for safely delivering them back to Africa.
From the earliest times the Cotton tree served as a meeting place. It was a symbol of the resilience of the people.
Earlier this year the tree came down during a heavy storm. This was cause for much weeping. And while parts of the tree will be preserved at the national museum, this cannot bring the feeling that this iconic symbol brought for so many years.