This year 2024, marks the nineteenth year of the passing away of one of Africa and Sierra Leone’s most prolific Sports editors and radio commentators Fode Badara Kande, which sad event took place at his residence in the Bronx, Grand Concourse, New York, USA, on January 4, 2015.

Mr. Fode Badara Kande was a highly respected journalist and his PROGRESS newspaper was a ‘hot cake’ for readers across the country, most especially for the Soccer enthusiast.

Mr. Fode Kande did a tremendous job for sports in Sierra Leone while he was the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and a foundation member of the Sports Writers Association Sierra Leone (SWASL).
He was also a senior member of the West Africa Journalist Association (WAJA) and a member of the select committee consisting of imminent journalists across Africa who selected the African Footballer of The Year.

Mr. Kande’s name has been written with indelible ink in the history books of Sierra Leone and will remain fresh in our minds.

Fode Kande was born in Kabala, Koinadugu District, Sierra Leone to the late Pa. Momodu Kande and Mama Tigidankay Kande, all late.

He grew up in Kabala and attended the Koinadugu District Council Primary School before proceeding to the Magburaka Boys Secondary School, Magburaka, Tonkolili District. He further attended his sixth form at the St. Edwards Secondary School in
Freetown.
In his quest for education, he proceeded to the United States of America from where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Journalism.

As a true African and a patriotic Sierra Leonean, Mr. Kande returned to his native country Sierra Leone and established his own press called ‘Progress’ newspaper.

He will also be remembered for his yearly Progress Awards Nights where he honored Sierra Leoneans who excelled in their various fields of endeavor.

The late Fode Kande was laid to rest in his family Compound (Kande ya), close to his late father’s graveside in his hometown of Kabala, Koinadugu District, Sierra Leone.

Memories are always special. Sometimes we laugh by remembering the days we cried, and cry by remembering the days we laughed.
That’s Life!