By Mustapha M.K. Sesay
Colleagues, I’m delighted to humbly reach out to you to express my intention to aspire for the position of President of our noble association, SLAJ, in the June 7 elections.
As you are all aware, I am a media, public relations, and communications specialist with 30 years of journalistic experience, including at least 20 years in various editorial positions.
Academic Qualifications: I hold a Master of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons), Higher Teachers Certificate (HTC), and several in-service professional certificates.
Editorial Experience: I served as Editor, SierraEye Magazine, and NewsWatch Magazine; Editor, NewsWatch, AYV, and Standard Times Newspapers; and Head of Editorial, AYV Media Empire.
Current Media Engagement: I am providing editorial support services to several media institutions at present.
SLAJ Executive Experiences: I served as National Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary General. During my respective tenures, I championed the cause for the institutionalization and decentralization of SLAJ, including securing the current SLAJ Headquarters and Secretariat at Campbell Street in Freetown, and the establishment of the three regional offices in Bo, Kenema, and Makeni.
Media Regulation Experience: I served as a Board Member at the Independent Media Commission (IMC).
Other Achievements in Media Ecosystem: I am one of the Founding Fathers of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), and a pioneer of the revival of the Sierra Leone Sports Writers Association (SWASAL) and the merging of the former UN Radio into the SLBS to establish the SLBC.
Recently, my supporters presented me as the candidate of choice. They endorsed my candidacy as borne out of a legacy of selfless service and commitment to our noble association, being a champion of press freedom, beacon of professionalism, and media development practitioner.
I’m going into this race fresh from the Independent Media Commission (IMC), where I served on the Board for six years as ‘SLAJ Representative’ and ‘Print Media Expert’ with diligence and professionalism.
As a former SLAJ National Secretary-General, I’m passionate about serving you as President, based on the vast knowledge, hands-on skills and experiences that I have acquired over the years.
I hope to build on the achievements of past and outgoing regimes, address the challenges, and combat the threats to our independence, integrity, press freedom, and freedom of expression.
I seek to work with you, our affiliates, the Independent Media Commission, media interest groups, the Government, and development partners to redefine a new era of hope and prosperity for SLAJ, firmly anchored on the principles of ‘Solidarity, Transparency, Accountability, Responsiveness and Trustworthiness’ – A fresh START!
Once confirmed as a candidate by the SLAJ Electoral Commission after being nominated by the BBC Correspondent and former SLAJ President, Umaru Fofana, and witnessed by Abdulai Gbla of Liberty TV and Gbla TV, I will come back to seek your endorsement, support, and vote!
Warm regards,
Mustapha M. K. Sesay
(Presidential Aspirant)
+232 76 652556
