By Benjamin S Conteh
Orange Sierra Leone (OSL), the country’s leading telecommunications company, on Friday, 6th February 2026, held its annual media engagement under the theme “Connecting with the Media, Sharing Our Story.” The event took place at the company’s headquarters at No. 1 Alpha Wurie Drive, Hill Station, Freetown, and attracted key stakeholders from the media, government, and regulatory institutions.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening the long-standing relationship between Orange Sierra Leone and the media, while providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of the company’s vision for digital growth and service excellence.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Proprietor and Managing Editor of Owl Newspaper and former Commissioner of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Mr. Alhaji Dauda Bangura, welcomed participants and dignitaries, including the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aisha Toure; the Minister of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Mr. Chernor Bah; former and current Presidents of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Mr. Kevin Lewis and Mr. Alhaji Manika Kamara respectively; and representatives from the IMC and media institutions.
On behalf of Orange Sierra Leone’s media partners, Mr. Bangura expressed profound appreciation to the company for its consistent and unwavering support to the media and, by extension, the people of Sierra Leone. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by OSL, including capacity-building programmes, sponsorships, and recent digital training opportunities designed to equip journalists with modern skills and tools.
According to him, these initiatives go beyond routine training and are geared toward improving journalists’ access to information, digital technology, and innovation in reporting.
Mr. Bangura emphasized that the partnership between Orange Sierra Leone and the media is continuous and mutually beneficial. He noted that while OSL has supported media institutions through sponsorships and the provision of equipment, the media, in return, has supported the company through strategic communication, accurate reporting, and content creation that informs and educates the public.
He further commended OSL’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, particularly its efforts to provide affordable and reliable telecommunications services, promotional activities, and the expansion of Orange Money services across the country.
In his remarks, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Mr. Alhaji Manika Kamara, described Orange Sierra Leone as a strategic and dependable partner of the media. He noted that the annual engagement reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to improving journalists’ welfare and supporting media institutions nationwide.
Mr. Kamara highlighted OSL’s consistent sponsorship of SLAJ activities, including its Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and described the relationship between SLAJ and OSL as one built on mutual respect, independence, and consistency. He added that Orange Sierra Leone remains a key contributor to the SLAJ Welfare Fund and has played a significant role in sustaining media houses in an environment marked by political and operational challenges.
He further praised OSL for investing in the future of journalism through scholarship opportunities that enable journalists to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes at the University of Sierra Leone. According to him, such interventions go beyond corporate social responsibility and represent meaningful contributions to national human capital development.
Mr. Kamara also acknowledged OSL’s support to the SLAJ Media Awards, which he described as a vital national platform for promoting excellence, ethics, and professionalism in journalism. He reaffirmed SLAJ’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Orange Sierra Leone and described the company as a reliable ally in digital safety, media innovation, responsible communication, and capacity building, particularly for female journalists.
He encouraged journalists to continue upholding ethical standards that promote democracy and national development, while urging Orange Sierra Leone to sustain its efforts in prioritizing the safety and empowerment of female journalists.
The Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Mr. Khalili Kallon, also expressed appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone for convening the engagement, describing it as an important platform for dialogue and collaboration between the company and the media.
Mr. Kallon said the theme of the engagement was both timely and pragmatic, emphasizing effective communication, accessibility, and partnership. He commended Orange Sierra Leone and other mobile network operators for their role in connecting government institutions, religious bodies, service providers, and communities across the country.
He called for increased and inclusive support for media institutions, particularly community-based media, through advertising opportunities, alternative electricity solutions, and targeted capacity-building programmes. He also stressed the need for career development opportunities for young journalists, with a focus on professionalism, sustainability, and ethical standards.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Kallon reminded them of their responsibility as storytellers and agenda-setters, urging them to produce balanced, clear, and ethical reporting that enhances public trust and strengthens democracy.
Welcoming participants, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aisha Toure, described the engagement as a pleasure, noting that it was her first media interaction since assuming office. She acknowledged the critical role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and informed citizenship.
Madam Toure praised the strong foundation laid by her predecessor, citing achievements in network expansion, digital inclusion, and corporate social responsibility. She reaffirmed Orange Sierra Leone’s commitment to expanding network coverage, improving service quality, and ensuring that technology delivers meaningful value to Sierra Leoneans.
She further assured customers of the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance and service excellence, stressing that customer satisfaction remains central to OSL’s operations.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah, commended Orange Sierra Leone for its sustainable partnership with the government and people of Sierra Leone. He highlighted the transformative impact of Orange Money services in promoting financial inclusion, particularly for people living in remote, rural, and island communities.
Mr. Bah noted that through Orange Money, Sierra Leoneans are now able to safely conduct business transactions, transfer funds, and pay school fees with ease. He emphasized the importance of strong collaboration among the media, private sector, and government, describing it as reciprocal and essential for national development.
“No serious institution can succeed without the media, just as the media cannot thrive in isolation,” the Minister said, adding that national progress is strengthened when government, the private sector, and the media work together.
The engagement concluded with renewed commitments to partnership, ethical communication, and shared responsibility in advancing digital transformation and media development in Sierra Leone.
