By Abu Bakarr Bangura
Every day, thousands of Sierra Leoneans pass through Lamina Sankoh Street in the heart of Freetown — walking, driving, and conducting business. But behind the name of this famous street lies the story of a visionary leader whose ideas helped shape Sierra Leone’s journey towards independence.
Born Etheldred Nathaniel Jones on 28 June 1884 in Gloucester, Freetown, Lamina Sankoh was a scholar, educator, priest, journalist, Pan-Africanist, and one of the early architects of Sierra Leone’s nationalist movement.
In the early 1920s, he changed his name from Etheldred Nathaniel Jones to Lamina Sankoh, a decision that reflected his belief in African identity, unity, and the rejection of colonial divisions. For him, the name represented a powerful message: One Country. One People.
A brilliant scholar, Lamina Sankoh attended several prominent institutions, including Fourah Bay College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, before furthering his studies in Theology and Philosophy at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford.
After returning to Sierra Leone in 1924, he was ordained as a priest and served at Holy Trinity Church in Freetown. However, his outspoken views on equality, justice, and African empowerment often challenged traditional thinking, leading him to leave the ministry in 1927.
His search for knowledge and social change later took him abroad, where he taught at institutions in the United States, including historically Black universities. These experiences deepened his commitment to education, Pan-Africanism, and self-determination.
As a member of the West African Students’ Union (WASU) in Britain during the 1930s, Lamina Sankoh used writing and advocacy to challenge colonial rule and promote African political consciousness.
When he returned to Sierra Leone in the 1940s, he became a strong voice for national unity and empowerment. He promoted adult education, established initiatives to encourage financial independence, founded an independent African church, and launched The African Vanguard newspaper to educate and inspire citizens.
His greatest political contribution came through his fight to unite the Colony and Protectorate. At a time when colonial structures divided Sierra Leoneans along geographical and social lines, Lamina Sankoh believed that national progress depended on unity.
In 1948, he founded the People’s Party, one of Sierra Leone’s earliest modern political parties, with the vision of creating a united national movement.
That vision later contributed to the formation of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in 1951 through the merger of the People’s Party, the Protectorate Education Progressive Union, and the Sierra Leone Organisation Society. The movement became a major force in Sierra Leone’s path towards independence in 1961.
Although Lamina Sankoh never became Prime Minister or President, his impact was not measured by political office. His legacy was built on ideas — the belief that education, unity, and national consciousness were the foundations of freedom.
He passed away in 1964, but his name continues to live on through one of Freetown’s most recognised streets.
Lamina Sankoh was more than a street name. He was a teacher who believed knowledge could transform society, a journalist who used his voice for change, and a patriot who dreamed of a Sierra Leone where all citizens could see themselves as one people.
The next time you pass through Lamina Sankoh Street, remember the man behind the name — one of the forgotten nation builders whose vision helped shape modern Sierra Leone.
How many Sierra Leoneans knew the remarkable story behind Lamina Sankoh Street?