Africell Sierra Leone, in commemoration of World Radio Day, has launched a nationwide free call-in service for radio stations in Sierra Leone to expand public participation in media discourse, strengthen national communication systems, and deepen civic engagement. The initiative was launched on Friday 13th February, 2026 at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown,
The service allows Africell subscribers to call into participating radio programs at no cost, removing financial barriers that have historically limited public participation in radio programs.
Speaking at the ceremony, Africell Sierra Leone’s Media Relations Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay, said the company introduced the service to address long-standing barriers that exclude many citizens from public discourse. He said that many people lack the credit to call into programs, limiting their participation and the flow of vital information on governance, security, and public health.
He said Africell believes access to radio should not depend on a caller’s ability to buy airtime and that the free call-in service would democratize public discussion. He added that Africell supports media outlets in all 16 districts with connectivity, 24-hour electricity, and financial assistance, stressing that the company’s support is intended to strengthen communication systems and amplify diverse voices without influencing editorial content.
Speaking on behalf of radio managers, Brigitte Dalton-Sesay, General Manager of Radio Fry Fry, described radio as a trusted and accessible medium that connects communities across Sierra Leone. She said Africell has supported media institutions for more than two decades and currently works with over 110 media outlets nationwide through infrastructure, power support, tower access, and secure technology services.
She stated that power remains one of the largest operational costs for radio stations and that Africell’s support helps broadcasters maintain reliable signals. She described the free call-in service as a major boost to community engagement, enabling stations to deepen interaction with listeners and strengthen their public-service mandate.
On the importance of radio on disaster management, John Vandy Rogers, General Manager of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), said radio remains a critical tool for national development and disaster risk management. He noted that timely information from communities, transmitted through media platforms, enables authorities to identify hazards, assess risks, and respond effectively.
He highlighted the nationwide toll-free hotline 1199, developed in partnership with Africell, which allows citizens to report hazards and imminent threats. He said removing cost barriers to communication would strengthen early warning systems, particularly in remote and low-income communities, and urged radio stations to provide regular airtime for disaster risk reduction messaging.
Chief of Staff at the Office of National Security (ONS), Francis Langumba Keili, on radio’s importance to national security, said the free call-in service would strengthen Sierra Leone’s people-centered security framework by improving early reporting and community-based information flow. He explained that security depends on timely information from citizens and local authorities, but communication costs often hinder urgent reporting.
The ONS Chief of Staff said the initiative would enhance rapid reporting from vulnerable areas and support coordinated security responses. He warned that delays in early warning can enable destabilizing activities and reiterated that security is a prerequisite for development and investment, commending Africell for aligning corporate social responsibility with national security objectives.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, described the initiative as a landmark innovation that would broaden public participation and deepen democratic engagement. He said radio remains the most accessible and trusted media platform in Sierra Leone and that the free call-in service would enable people in remote communities to participate in national conversations without cost.
The SLAJ President urged radio stations to design programs that fully utilize the new platform and said SLAJ stands ready to collaborate with Africell and media development partners to maximize its impact.
Speaking at the launch, Africell Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, said the service was initially arranged with about 40 stations but is open to every radio station in the country, regardless of existing partnerships. He said Africell would provide technical setup, including dedicated ports, to ensure seamless integration.
The company CEO said the initiative prioritizes social impact over operational cost, noting that free call-ins would improve education, security, and early-warning capabilities. He said Africell’s media partnerships have grown from about 20 at inception to more than 110, with extensive infrastructure support and a nationwide transmitter network that expands media reach.
He announced additional support for the print sector through “Africell Super Thursday,” a QR-code-based promotional campaign to boost newspaper circulation and advertising engagement.
In the keynote address, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, said the free call-in service would strengthen public participation, deepen democracy, and connect communities nationwide. He cited a 2023 study indicating that about half of Sierra Leoneans rely primarily on radio for credible information and said the initiative transforms radio from a one-way broadcast medium into a national conversation platform.
The minister urged responsible use of the microphone to prevent abuse and misinformation and commended Africell for combining mobile technology with radio to expand the public sphere and promote democratic dialogue.
At the close of the event, Africell also signed a memoranda of understanding with Kalleone Radio and Radio Tonya in Kenema to provide 24-hour electricity, reinforcing its commitment to sustaining media operations nationwide.
The free call-in service is expected to increase listener participation, strengthen community reporting, and enhance radio’s role as a central pillar of public communication, security, disaster management, and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
