The Guild of Newspaper Editors – Sierra Leone (GoNE-SL) on Friday, 3rd October 2025, paid a courtesy visit to Africell at the company’s Wilberforce office in Freetown, in a move aimed at reinforcing collaboration between the media and one of the country’s leading telecommunications operators.
Introducing the visiting team, GoNE-SL’s Public Relations Officer, Komba Fillie, highlighted the importance of the engagement, stressing that such partnerships are crucial for media development. He expressed gratitude to Africell for opening its doors to the Guild.
Chairman of the Guild, Thomas Dixon, commended Africell for its longstanding contributions as one of the oldest mobile network operators in Sierra Leone. He explained that the visit provided an opportunity to present the Guild’s new strategic plan, which includes securing a permanent secretariat and acquiring a communal printing press. According to him, the cost-recovery model of the printing press would reduce expenses for media houses, improve efficiency and strengthen the country’s overall media landscape.
Thomas Dixon further assured Africell of the Guild’s commitment to promoting professionalism in journalism through self-regulation and responsible reporting.
Responding on behalf of Africell, the company’s Media Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay, recalled his longstanding ties with the media and acknowledged the dedication and expertise required to thrive in the profession. He reaffirmed Africell’s support to the media sector, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with organizations such as the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and more than 70 radio stations nationwide.
Abdul Karim Sesay emphasized that Africell’s strategic direction aligns with digital growth, an area in which the company is prepared to support the Guild. He encouraged the editors to continue engaging Africell for support and collaboration, pointing out that the media plays a vital role in identifying institutional gaps and driving improvements.
The visit concluded with mutual assurances of deeper collaboration, setting the stage for a stronger partnership between Africell and Sierra Leone’s newspaper editors.
