By Mariama Bundu
The name Mackie M. Jalloh now echoes with pride not only across the vibrant Fourah Bay community but throughout Sierra Leone and beyond. In an extraordinary turn of events that has captured the admiration of many, Mackie was on Thursday, 10th April 2025, officially named 2nd Position Winner for the Print Media Category in West Africa at the prestigious Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Africa Media Recognition Awards.
This is no ordinary achievement. Mackie is now the first Sierra Leonean journalist ever to win such a highly coveted title since the award’s inception—an accolade that places him among Africa’s best and brightest media voices.
A Dream Redefined, A Legacy Born
Born in Kenema, Mackie’s life took a challenging turn when he lost his father at the age of five. He was relocated to Freetown, where he spent his entire upbringing in Fourah Bay under the nurturing care of his mother and late grandfather. Educated at Albert Academy Secondary School, his early dream was to become a professional footballer, a dream he held dearly while also pursuing studies in Information and Computer Technology.
However, in 2020, a deeper calling emerged—one that would redefine his purpose. He turned to journalism, motivated by a burning desire to write and tell stories that spark change. He began humbly as a cub reporter with the Times SL. Newspaper; but in just a short time, his resilience, sharp editorial instincts, and fearless reporting catapulted him to the role of Editor. Since then, he has served as editor and contributor to over five major newspapers in Sierra Leone, most recently at the News Times Daily.
Mackie’s growth as an investigative journalist has not gone unnoticed, as many of his articles have been published on both local and international news websites, further amplifying his voice and reach beyond borders.
An Award That Shakes the Continent
The Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Africa Media Recognition Awards were established to honor journalists across the continent tackling critical social and health issues in their work.
The initiative, launched by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, focuses on storytelling that challenges taboos and drives advocacy.
The theme of the 2024 awards centered on raising awareness on:
- Breaking infertility stigma
- Supporting girl education
- Women empowerment
- Ending child marriage
- Ending FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)
- Stopping Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The awards are divided geographically—West, East, North, South and other regions of Africa—and then further segmented into categories: Print Media, Online, TV, Radio, and Multimedia.
This year, a total of 125 journalists were awarded across more than African, Asia and American countries, recognizing the power of media in shaping change and breaking silence on key societal issues.
Mackie secured 2nd Place in the Print Media Category for West Africa with two outstanding articles:
- “Breaking the Silence on Infertility Stigma”
- “The Imperative of Supporting Girl Education”
His winning articles were described by judges as compelling, solution-driven, and rooted in real community voices, setting him apart from a competitive pool of entries from across the region.
Sierra Leone had another proud moment as Sunkarie of Star Radio Sierra Leone clinched 3rd Place in the Radio Category for West Africa—an impressive win that highlights the growing excellence of Sierra Leone’s media sector on the continental stage.
A Voice of Gratitude and Humility
Overwhelmed by the honor, Mackie gave all thanks to his Creator:
“First of all, Alhamdulillah—All thanks and praise to Allah for this incredible moment. It is by His will I am here today, not just as a journalist, but as a proud Sierra Leonean.”
He continued by recognizing the people who paved his path:
“My heartfelt gratitude goes to Mr. Sallieu Tejan Jalloh, who first saw something in me and introduced me to the world of journalism. He gave me my first shot, and that opened every door. To Mr. Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya—thank you for trusting me to become an editor. That belief changed the course of my life.”
“To my current boss at News Times Daily, Mr. Bampia James Bundu—you have given me the freedom to lead, to write, and to grow. Your support and encouragement mean everything to me.”
He saved special praise for his inspiration and motivator:
“A special salute to the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla. You are my mentor, my motivator, and the one who pushed me to believe that I was ready to compete at the continental level. Thank you for pushing me toward excellence.”
Mackie was quick to recognize his community and everyone who has stood by him:
“To the Fourah Bay community, to my family, to everyone who believed in me and supported my journey—this victory is ours. This award belongs to all of us.”
A Journalist with a Cause
Mackie’s journalistic mission has always been clear: to elevate unheard voices and to challenge society to do better. His reporting has consistently focused on human rights, social development, and giving a voice to the vulnerable. His passion for amplifying the struggles of women battling infertility and for pushing the national conversation on girl-child education aligns perfectly with the mission of the Merck Foundation Awards.
Sierra Leone’s own First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has also been a vocal advocate for girl-child education, complementing efforts like Mackie’s with policy and national campaigns. The convergence of such media work with national leadership is part of what gives Sierra Leone a growing voice on the continental stage.
A New Standard for Journalism in Sierra Leone
At just 5 years into his journalism career, Mackie M. Jalloh has done what many wait decades to achieve. He’s not just writing news—he is shaping narratives, influencing policies, and inspiring a generation of young writers.
As one of the youngest members of the Guild of Newspaper Editors in Sierra Leone, Mackie represents a new wave of media professionals—bold, ethical, and purpose-driven. He stands as a beacon of hope for youth from underserved communities, proving that with talent, discipline, and faith, anything is possible.
Sierra Leone salutes you, Mackie M. Jalloh. You are not just a journalist—you are a national treasure. Your story is one of perseverance, excellence, and divine favor. The pen truly is mightier—and yours is now legendary.
