By Ndea Mans
Orange Sierra Leone on Friday held its annual media engagement in Freetown, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and collaboration with journalists across the country.
The event, held at the Orange Digital Center, brought together media practitioners, government officials and industry stakeholders under the theme “Connecting with the Media, Sharing Our Story.” It also served as a platform for the telecommunications company to highlight its nationwide operations and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Information and Communication Chernor Bah underscored the influential role of the media in shaping public discourse, saying journalists could either strengthen social cohesion or undermine it.
“The media has the power to shape narratives that bring society closer together,” Bah said, urging journalists to tell a balanced and comprehensive story of Sierra Leone. He said the partnership between media institutions and telecommunications companies was key to national development.
Bah also praised Orange Sierra Leone and other network operators for expanding connectivity to hard-to-reach areas, including Bonthe Island, noting that improved network coverage has enabled residents to conduct financial transactions and access digital services.
Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Aicha Toure, said the company places high value on its engagement with the media, describing journalists as central to shaping national dialogue, promoting accountability and informing citizens.
Toure acknowledged the work of her predecessor and the Orange team, particularly in network expansion and corporate social responsibility, and said she would build on those efforts with a focus on consistency, transparency and results.
She outlined three strategic priorities guiding the company’s service delivery: improving network experience and reliability, expanding inclusive digital infrastructure, and strengthening trust and responsibility.
“One of my key priorities as the new CEO is listening—listening to our customers and listening to the media,” Toure said, adding that media insights help inform better decision-making and stronger outcomes.
The president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, described the engagement as timely and significant, noting that strong partnerships between the media and corporate institutions were essential in an era shaped by information and connectivity.
Kamara said the relationship between SLAJ and Orange Sierra Leone had been built on mutual respect, shared values and a clear understanding of the media’s role in democracy and development, calling it a model of corporate-media partnership in the country.
He commended Orange Sierra Leone for its continued support for the growth and welfare of journalists.
Representatives from other media bodies, including the Independent Media Commission (IMC), also made statements during the event, highlighting the importance of sustained collaboration between the media and the private sector.
