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The Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone on Friday paid a landmark courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), becoming the first corporate CEO to officially engage the Association’s newly elected Executive at its headquarters.
The visit, which took place was widely described as historic, symbolizing a deepening partnership between one of the country’s leading telecommunications companies and the media fraternity. The SLAJ Executive is currently led by its President, Alhaji Manika Kamara.
Welcoming the delegation, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara described the engagement as a significant milestone in the Association’s history.
“This is an historic moment for SLAJ,” he said. “We are honored to receive the CEO of Africell as the first corporate leader to officially visit our Secretariat under the new Executive. This demonstrates the value Africell places on the media and its role in national development.”
He expressed the Association’s profound gratitude for what he termed Africell’s “heavy and consistent support” to media practitioners across the country, noting that the company has remained a dependable partner in promoting press activities and professional initiatives nationwide.
During the meeting, the SLAJ President briefed the CEO on key strategic plans of the Association, including the proposed establishment of a modern Data Center. The initiative, he explained, aims to provide journalists with improved access to research materials, digital resources, and reliable internet connectivity to enhance professionalism, fact-based reporting, and innovation within the media sector.
Responding, Africell Sierra Leone CEO Mr. Shadi Al-Gerjawi thanked journalists for their continued partnership and constructive engagement with the company over the years. He emphasized that collaboration with the media forms an integral part of Africell’s corporate culture and stakeholder engagement strategy.
“We value the media as critical partners in our journey,” Mr. Shadi stated. “Africell remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen journalism and promote national development. We will carefully review the proposed projects presented by the Association and explore areas of possible support.”
The engagement underscores Africell’s ongoing commitment to fostering a transparent, respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship with media institutions in Sierra Leone. As a proudly Sierra Leonean brand, the company continues to recognize the indispensable role of the press in advancing democratic governance, accountability, and informed public discourse.
Association members say the visit sets a positive tone for enhanced cooperation between the corporate sector and the media, paving the way for stronger institutional partnerships aimed at promoting impactful communication and sustainable national development.
