Sekou Amadou Bah’s leadership at Orange Sierra Leone has become a lightning rod for criticism, with citizens and lawmakers alike calling for his immediate resignation. Bah’s tenure has dragged the company’s reputation through the mud, turning what was once a trusted telecom provider into a brand synonymous with poor service, exploitation, and shocking disregard for customers. From scandalous service failures to skyrocketing charges, Bah’s leadership is now widely seen as an unmitigated disaster for Orange SL and Sierra Leoneans alike.
Under Bah’s watch, Orange SL has become notorious for charging exorbitant fees on both mobile and data services, leaving struggling Sierra Leoneans with few affordable options. Customers are forced to endure some of the highest rates in the region, despite the declining quality of service. Orange SL’s call rates, data bundles, and mobile money fees have become so burdensome that Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, recently condemned the company’s “predatory pricing” as an abuse of power over a captive market. His scathing criticism reflects the outrage felt by many Sierra Leoneans who feel Bah has exploited the nation’s dependency on telecommunications services to extract profits with little accountability.
Service disruptions and poor internet speeds have become the norm under Bah’s tenure. Despite Orange SL’s significant role in the telecom market, Bah has failed to ensure that citizens can access reliable, consistent service. The National Telecommunications Authority (NatCA) recently issued a seven-day ultimatum to Orange SL, demanding immediate improvements or facing further action. This ultimatum, alongside a hefty fine against Orange Money for failing to comply with NatCA’s registration requirements, signals a damning indictment of Bah’s oversight. NatCA’s unprecedented intervention only underscores the severity of the situation, with regulators acknowledging the company’s continuous failure to deliver on its basic obligations to Sierra Leoneans.
In Parliament, Hon. Conteh further criticized Bah for exploitative mobile money transaction fees and other steep charges on basic services. Orange SL’s rates for popular services, such as mobile data and call bundles, have spiked under Bah’s leadership, burdening citizens already grappling with economic hardship. For instance, a service Africell offers at a far lower cost is marked up almost double by Orange SL, causing many to question why they’re paying premium prices for subpar service. Bah’s apparent disregard for customer welfare and fair pricing has led Parliament to initiate an investigation into Orange’s pricing and operational practices, marking an unprecedented move to address public discontent.
The dissatisfaction with Bah’s leadership is also evident within the company itself, as senior staff members with over a decade of experience have chosen to resign rather than endure his administration. This internal brain drain reflects a deeper crisis, as Orange SL loses the very people who built its reputation and operational stability. The exit of these experienced professionals has further exacerbated service quality issues, as Bah’s leadership has failed to address the rising attrition or the internal disillusionment driving it.
Orange SL’s retreat from corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts under Bah’s tenure is yet another blight on his record. Where previous CEOs invested in community projects and supported local initiatives, Bah has slashed CSR budgets, cutting off support that Sierra Leoneans valued and relied on. Bah’s lack of commitment to CSR programs has sparked frustration among community leaders and activists, who argue that Orange SL under Bah has abandoned its duty to give back to the country.
Bah’s pattern of leadership failures has attracted widespread attention not only for his inability to meet customer needs but also for turning Orange SL into a corporate predator. Service quality has plummeted while charges have escalated, leaving Parliament and regulatory bodies with little choice but to intervene. The disconnect between Bah’s priorities and the people Orange SL serves has created a toxic brand image that may be difficult to recover from, even if Bah is ultimately removed.
The growing calls for Bah’s resignation are a reflection of the deep-seated frustration felt by Sierra Leoneans who have been forced to pay the price for his poor leadership. Bah’s time as CEO has been marked by scandal, incompetence, and a complete disregard for the ethical standards expected of a company in Orange SL’s position. His resignation would be a necessary first step to restoring public trust and ensuring that Sierra Leone’s telecom sector operates in a way that respects the rights and needs of its citizens.
With both Parliament and regulators breathing down Orange SL’s neck, the pressure on Bah to step down is at an all-time high. His tenure has left Orange SL as a tarnished brand, failing in both service quality and ethical accountability. Sierra Leoneans deserve a telecom company that prioritizes their needs, and it is clear that under Bah’s leadership, Orange SL has done anything but.
