By: Gibrilla Kamara
Orange Sierra Leone (OSL) on Friday, 6 February 2026, successfully hosted its annual media engagement, bringing together media owners, editors, journalists, and key national stakeholders at its headquarters at No. 1 Alpha Wurie Drive, Hill Station, Freetown. The engagement was held under the theme “Connecting with the Media, Sharing Our Story.”The event reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to open dialogue, collaboration, and partnership with the media as a critical stakeholder in national development. It attracted prominent personalities, including the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aicha Touré; the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah; the Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Mr. Khalili Kallon; the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Mr. Alhaji Manika Kamara; former SLAJ President Mr. Kelvin Lewis; and media proprietor and former IMC Commissioner Mr. Alhaji Dauda Bangura, among others.Welcoming participants, Mr. Alhaji Dauda Bangura commended Orange Sierra Leone for its consistent support to the media sector and its contribution to national growth. He highlighted the company’s investments in journalists’ capacity building, media partnerships, strategic engagement, and access to modern communication technology. He described the relationship between Orange Sierra Leone and the media as strong, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking. Mr. Bangura further applauded Orange Sierra Leone’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the delivery of affordable and reliable telecommunications services, innovative promotional activities, and the expansion of Orange Money services nationwide.Speaking on behalf of journalists, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara praised Orange Sierra Leone for recognizing the media as a strategic partner. He noted the company’s long-standing commitment to improving journalists’ welfare through continuous support to media institutions and sponsorship of SLAJ activities, including its Annual General Meetings. He described the partnership as one built on trust, mutual respect, and shared values.The Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission, Mr. Khalil Kallon, welcomed the initiative and commended Orange Sierra Leone for creating a platform that promotes dialogue and collaboration. He described the engagement as timely and impactful, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and partnership in strengthening public trust. He also highlighted Orange Sierra Leone’s role in connecting communities, institutions, and service providers across the country.Mr. Kallon encouraged continued support for media institutions, particularly community-based outlets, and emphasized the importance of professionalism, ethical reporting, and capacity development within the media sector. In her address, Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer Madam Aicha Touré reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation, service excellence, and national development. She highlighted progress made in network expansion, digital inclusion, and corporate social responsibility, while assuring customers and partners of OSL’s continued focus on quality service delivery and regulatory compliance.“Orange Sierra Leone remains committed to ensuring that technology delivers real value to the people of Sierra Leone,” Madam Touré stated. “Our partnership with the media is central to this mission.”Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah, commended Orange Sierra Leone for its strong and sustainable partnership with the Government and people of Sierra Leone. He highlighted the impact of Orange Money in advancing financial inclusion, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.Minister Bah underscored the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and the media, noting that such partnerships are essential for national development and inclusive growth.“We achieve more when the media, private sector, and government work together,” the Minister said, emphasizing the role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and national cohesion.The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between Orange Sierra Leone and the media in support of innovation, development, and inclusive communication across the country.