The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) delegation, led by Minister Chernor Bah, embarked on a familiarization tour to the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLeNA) on August 18, 2023. The purpose of this visit was to gain insight into the operations and challenges faced by the National News Agency.
Minister Chernor Bah was accompanied by Deputy Minister Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Esq., Acting Director of Information Emmanuel Turay, and other senior officials from the Ministry. The delegation was warmly received by the Managing Director of SLeNA, Mrs. Yeama Sarah Thompson, who guided them through the agency’s premises and provided updates on its activities.
Minister Bah expressed his gratitude to the agency’s staff for their dedicated work and highlighted his vision for transforming the News Agency. He emphasized the goal set by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to enhance the country’s media landscape to meet the standards of the 21st century.
Minister Bah stressed the importance of staff members acquiring multiple skills to prepare for the challenges ahead. He set high expectations for excellent performance and stated that mediocrity would not be accepted. He underlined the need to equip SLeNA as a National News Agency with the necessary tools and resources to meet global standards and achieve excellence.
Addressing the staff’s concerns, Minister Bah acknowledged the lack of equipment hindering their work. He assured them of government support to address this issue while also encouraging them to enhance their skills and add value to their work to contribute to the transformation of the agency.
Deputy Minister Keketoma Sandi Esq. echoed the commitment to addressing the staff’s concerns and pledged support for capacity building initiatives.
The visit concluded with an on-the-spot visit to the Government Bookshop, where the Minister and his delegation engaged with the staff and assured them of the Ministry’s support.
Overall, the familiarization tour provided the MoICE delegation with a better understanding of SLeNA’s operations and challenges, and the Minister expressed determination to drive positive change within the National News Agency.
