Prominent Sierra Leonean journalist, Isha Sesay, has revealed that her decision to leave CNN after more than 13 years was driven by the need to care for her seriously ill mother not by controversy or professional disagreement, as some had speculated.
Speaking with CNN journalist, Larry Madowo, during an interview for the network’s African Voices programme, Isha Sesay publicly explained the circumstances surrounding her departure for the first time. She also discussed becoming a single mother in her 40s, her transition into corporate media leadership and her concerns about international coverage of Africa.
Isha Sesay established herself as one of CNN International’s most recognizable African broadcasters, interviewing influential political leaders, celebrities and global personalities. Her interview subjects included former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former United States First Lady Michelle Obama, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and Hollywood actor Matt Damon.
Despite leaving the network in 2018, Isha Sesay said many people still recognize her primarily for her work at CNN. She described such encounters as a source of pride and evidence of the lasting connection she established with audiences worldwide.
Explaining her departure, Isha Sesay said her mother’s medical condition had forced her to reconsider her priorities. Dr. Kadi Sesay, a respected Sierra Leonean politician, academic and women’s-rights advocate, suffered a devastating stroke in December 2016 that left her severely incapacitated.
According to Isha Sesay, decisions being taken at work at the time were incompatible with her responsibilities as her mother’s caregiver. She consequently chose to leave the network and place her family obligations first.
Isha Sesay emphasized that there was no scandal behind her resignation and that she continued to respect her former colleagues and CNN’s leadership. She said the experience taught her that there are moments when individuals must protect their well-being and attend to what matters most in their personal lives.
Dr. Kadi Sesay, who served as the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2012 elections, remained in a seriously impaired condition for several years before passing away in June 2025.
Reflecting on the loss, Isha Sesay described her mother as an energetic and compassionate woman whose public service and political ambitions were abruptly interrupted by illness. She acknowledged that she is still processing the emotional consequences of caring for her mother and eventually losing her.
The family crisis also transformed Isha Sesay’s understanding of motherhood and human relationships. Although she had long wanted a child, she said the demands of international broadcasting caused her to repeatedly postpone that part of her life.
Her years at CNN were dominated by breaking-news assignments, major political events, interviews, international travel and other demanding professional responsibilities. Her mother’s illness, however, confronted her with the fragility of life and led her to reassess what she wanted for herself.
Isha Sesay eventually decided to pursue motherhood independently through a sperm donor. Following two unsuccessful in vitro fertilization attempts, she announced at the age of 46 that she was expecting a child. She welcomed her daughter, Naimah Yasmine Kadi Sesay, in February 2023.
Her decision generated mixed reactions online. While many people congratulated and supported her, others questioned her choice to raise a child without a partner.
Isha Sesay rejected suggestions that becoming a single mother represented hostility towards men or conventional family structures. She described it instead as an expression of personal autonomy, stressing that women should be free to determine the direction of their own lives.
She maintained that remaining in an unhealthy relationship simply to have a child would have been unreasonable for her. While acknowledging that her choice might not suit everyone, she said women should not be prevented from embracing options made possible by modern science.
Beyond motherhood, Isha Sesay has entered another significant phase of her professional life as Chief Executive Officer of Areya Media, formerly known as OkayMedia. The organisation oversees OkayAfrica and Okayplayer, digital platforms dedicated to African, Black and diaspora culture.
Isha Sesay became the first woman to lead the organisation when she assumed the position in March 2021. Under her leadership, the company has expanded beyond its original digital publishing operations into newsletters, podcasts, studio production and cultural events.
She said the transformation has strengthened the company’s relationship with its audiences and allowed it to tell more diverse and uplifting stories. One of its productions, The Almanac of Rap, received Webby recognition in 2023 and 2025.
Although she is satisfied with her position as a media executive, Isha Sesay said her passion for journalism remains strong. She continues to follow the news closely and remains concerned about the limited attention and context given to African affairs by major international networks.
Isha Sesay argued that African culture, music and fashion are increasingly celebrated globally but the continent’s political, economic and humanitarian stories are still frequently presented without sufficient depth. She cited the conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo as examples of major crises that have not received the sustained international attention they deserve.
She also expressed concern about the growth of online personalities who present personal opinions as verified news. While recognizing that social media creators can provide vital information during emergencies, Isha Sesay warned that content based on quick internet searches or artificial-intelligence tools should not be confused with independent and professionally verified reporting.
Despite falling public confidence in traditional media, Isha Sesay remains optimistic about journalism’s future. She believes societies will always require credible information, verified facts and trustworthy reporting, even as news organisations adjust their methods to reach changing audiences.
Now a journalist, mother, philanthropist, United Nations goodwill ambassador and media executive, Isha Sesay said she wants her legacy to be defined by the opportunities she created for others. Her ambition, she explained, is to be remembered as someone who encouraged people, supported emerging talent and used her influence to make a meaningful difference.
