By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a show of gratitude and appreciation for its dedicated workforce, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), a prominent manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the country, hosted its Annual Long Service Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Wellington Industrial Estate in the East End of Freetown.
The ceremony, held to recognize employees who have displayed unwavering commitment and loyalty to the company for 10, 15, and 20 years, showcased the exemplary contributions of individuals who have played pivotal roles in the success of SLBL.
Among the distinguished awardees were Jacob John, who has devoted two decades of service to the company, and Abassy Kamara, honored for 15 years of dedicated commitment. Additionally, Claudius Kandeh, Evyonne Bestman, Sahr John Kamara, Abdul K. Tarawallie, Unisa Kamara, John Dixon, Numukeh Kamara, and Malina Fuckner were recognized for their decade-long contributions to the Brewery.
Addressing the gathering, Humu M. Kamara, the Human Resource representative of SLBL, expressed her excitement and welcomed everyone to the ceremony. She emphasized the pivotal role that SLBL attributes to its employees, stating, “SLBL is a company that places its people at the heart of the business. Therefore, we will not relent to identifying and acknowledging the role played by our long-serving and loyal employees of our company.”
She emphasized the significance of the Long Service Awards in fostering a sense of belonging and ownership among employees, highlighting the positive impact on morale and motivation. She took a moment to congratulate the spouses and family members of the awardees, acknowledging their support in enabling the company to thrive under challenging circumstances.
A total of 10 employees were recognized, representing various Departments within the Brewery, with a notable inclusion of female representation. Each awardee received a Medal of Merit, a Certificate, and a cash gift donation, tailored to their years of service.
She expressed optimism for the future, stating, “As the fortunes of the Company continue to improve, we shall be in a better position to give even more to recipients of such awards in the future and improve the scope and richness of the event.”
As the ceremony concluded, Unisa Kamara, one of the award recipients, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to SLBL’s Management and shared his happiness at receiving such a prestigious award. He highlighted that the recognition symbolizes the hard work and dedication exhibited by the employees and pledged to continue striving for excellence. Encouraging upcoming staff, he urged them to see the long-serving employees as examples and mentors, as they themselves have learned from their seniors.
The Annual Long Service Awards Ceremony served as a poignant reminder of SLBL’s commitment to honoring and celebrating the dedication of its workforce, fostering a culture of excellence, and inspiring future generations within the company.
