Orange Sierra Leone (Orange-SL) has reinforced its commitment to promoting responsible digital citizenship among young people through its Orange for Good Connections campaign, which brought together pupils from eight secondary schools in the Western Area for a football tournament and drama competition focused on combating cyberbullying and excessive screen time.

Held on June 13 at the Amputees Training Field at Lumley Beach in Freetown under the theme, “Together Against Online Hate,” the initiative created a platform for students aged 11 to 16 to engage in discussions on online safety while encouraging healthy social interactions outside digital spaces.

Participating schools included Prince of Wales School, Saint Edward’s Secondary School, St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Methodist Girls’ High School, Annie Walsh Memorial School, Limount College, Providence International School, and Bilingual High School.

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The event combined sports and drama performances to raise awareness about the effects of cyberbullying and the dangers associated with excessive use of social media and digital devices. Students used dramatic performances to highlight the emotional and psychological impact of online abuse, while football matches promoted teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect.

Speaking at the event, Orange Sierra Leone’s Director of Strategic Transformation and Marketing, Abdramane Kone, encouraged young people to use digital technologies responsibly and to harness digital opportunities to create positive change within their communities.

Head of Communication, Branding and Sponsorship at Orange Sierra Leone, Philip Emeh, said the initiative reflects the company’s continued investment in youth empowerment and responsible digital engagement.

“This initiative is about encouraging young people to step away from harmful online spaces and engage in more meaningful, real-life interactions. Through teamwork and sportsmanship, we are sending a clear message against cyberbullying and promoting responsible digital behaviour,” Emeh said.

Several participants travelled long distances to attend the event, demonstrating strong commitment to the campaign’s message and objectives.

Mohamed Chernor Fofana, captain of Providence International School, said many young people spend significant amounts of time on social media platforms, which can negatively affect their studies and expose them to cyberbullying.

“This programme helps us reflect on our actions and encourages us to treat each other with respect,” he said.

The football tournament produced closely contested matches, with both finals decided through penalty shootouts.

Providence International School won the boys’ category after defeating Saint Edward’s Secondary School 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw. Methodist Girls High School emerged champions in the girls’ category after securing a 3-1 penalty victory over Bilingual High School.

Methodist Girls High School also won the drama competition with a performance that addressed the dangers of cyberbullying and emphasised responsible digital behaviour.

Winning teams in both categories received cash prizes of NLe10,000, while runners-up were awarded NLe5,000 in recognition of their performances, sportsmanship, and participation.

Through the Orange for Good Connections campaign, Orange Sierra Leone continues to promote safe and responsible use of digital technologies while encouraging young people to build positive relationships, both online and offline.