Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), which is the umbrella body of all female journalists in Sierra Leone, presented a prestigious award to Africell Mobile Company for the telecommunications company’s exceptional and unflinching support towards the growth and development of the media in the country.
Handing over the Award to the Chief Executive Officer of Africell SL, Shadi Gerjawi ,on Friday 10th March 2023, at the Atlantic Hotel Conference Room in Freetown, by members of WIMSAL as part of their 15th Anniversary celebration, the Outgoing President of the organization, Madam Femi Jarrat Coker, revealed that Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), is a media association focused on increasing women’s participation in the media.
Highlighting the support that the company has rendered so far towards the activities of WIMSAL and the general media fraternity, Madam Femi Jarrat Coker described the telecommunications service provider as a kindhearted company that believes in the development trajectory of the media. She commended Africell SL for being friendly to the media fraternity saying the company is always willing and ready to support the business aspect of the media. Madam Femi Coker mentioned that during the devastating corona virus that claimed the lives of many compatriots and equally affected the operations of organizations the company did not relent in giving out its support to the media.
She narrated how some media practitioners, especially Publishers were able to keep their businesses up and running mainly as a result of the support that the telecommunications company and few other companies rendered to the media as a viable partner in the development of the country and went on to outline the numerous support Africell Mobile Company has offered to both the print and electronic media.
“Africell is currently providing free electricity supply to over 50 radio stations and television stations in the country,” she disclosed, adding that, Africell Mobile Company is also supporting over sixty (60) newspapers, over 30 radio stations and television stations with monthly adverts. She also commended Africell Mobile Company for also supporting the Women’s Voice Newspaper, which is the only female specialized newspaper in the country,” she said with pride further applauding the company for honoring its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Company, the affable and result-oriented Chief Executive Officer of Africell Mobile Company Sierra Leone, Shadi Gerjawi warmly thanked the Women in the Media Sierra Leone for awarding Africell-SL for its exemplary gestures in supporting the media.
Africell’s CEO further congratulated WIMSAL for celebrating their 15th years in existence further inspiring members of WIMSAL to continue to stay united and embark on several mentorship programs to the younger ones that are aspiring to be fulltime journalists.
He profusely thanked them for not only promoting free speech but for also championing issues that are affecting women and girls in the country.
The CEO underscored that female journalists play crucial roles in making known societal problems and for acting as catalysts of development in the country further encouraging WIMSAL to do more. He said the award is a big honor to the entire Africell’s family at home and abroad further reaffirming the company’s commitment in support of the media in Sierra Leone.
