By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Orange Sierra Leone (OSL), one of the leading mobile telecommunications companies, partnered with Agro Fish Farm to celebrate the latter’s 6th anniversary in Sierra Leone. The event, held on Bathurst Street in Freetown took place on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 with the theme: “Inspiring Women and Youth to Embrace Fish Farming.”
Kamal Abass, the Head of Public Relations and Corporate Responsibility at OSL, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering young people and contributing to financial inclusion in the country. Abass noted that OSL had 17 affiliates across the Middle East and Africa and emphasized that their approach in Sierra Leone mirrored their operations worldwide.
Abass revealed that OSL’s social investment grant initiative began in 2019 as a competition with a prize. The goal was to support and finance innovators while creating employment opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone. Initially, the grant had a modest sum, but over the course of five years, it grew to a substantial Le100 million (one hundred million Leones). Notably, Abass mentioned that women were prominent participants in this initiative. This year, eight female finalists from Limkokwing University competed for the grant.
Addressing the changing employment landscape, Abass emphasized the importance of e-commerce in creating job opportunities for the future. He also outlined OSL’s development trajectory, focusing on health, education, agriculture, and digital education. As part of their ongoing commitment, OSL planned to send their finalist, Hawanatu Sesay, to an international competition.
Abass highlighted OSL’s efforts to promote sustainability, including providing solar systems to their sites to mitigate environmental pollution. Over five years, the grant initiative had produced ten winners, with a majority being women. OSL expressed its dedication to supporting women, assuring Agro Fish Farm’s CEO, Aminata Kandeh, of continued financial assistance.
In response, Kandeh expressed her gratitude to OSL for their unwavering support over the years. She recounted the journey of Agro Fish Farm, which began six years ago. Despite facing various challenges, the company had worked tirelessly to sustain its operations.
“Today, we are celebrating our 6th anniversary, which marks a remarkable milestone, and I am immensely proud of it,” Kandeh expressed her joy. She emphasized Agro Fish Farm’s commitment to setting industry standards and providing sustainable and reliable fish for all Sierra Leoneans.
Kandeh disclosed that her company had represented Sierra Leone in international forums, including Ghana and the United States, and had gained valuable insights into the fishing industry. She pledged to continue producing quality fish and training women in the fish industry, with plans to establish a Fish Academy in Sierra Leone in the next six years.
Kandeh concluded by acknowledging OSL’s support in empowering women, noting that women could achieve more with OSL’s assistance. The celebration marked a significant partnership between Orange Sierra Leone and Agro Fish Farm in their shared mission to empower the youth, promote innovation and ensure a sustainable future for Sierra Leone’s fish farming industry.
