AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at the State House swore in Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), charging him with safeguarding the country’s democratic process. Mr. Alpha takes office following parliamentary approval and consultations with registered political parties, as required by Sierra Leone’s Constitution. In his first remarks after taking the oath, the new electoral chief described his appointment as “a sacred contract with the people of Sierra Leone” and pledged to lead the Commission with independence, transparency, integrity and inclusiveness. “Our democracy thrives on the belief that every voice matters and every vote counts,” Mr. Alpha said, assuring citizens and political actors that the ECSL under his leadership would be guided strictly by constitutional and legal frameworks. He committed to maintaining an open-door pol...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Sierra Leone’s joint security personnel who were arrested and detained by Guinean troops following a cross-border incursion into the northern town of Kaliereh, Falaba District, have been released after high-level diplomatic engagements between the two West African neighbours. The incident, which sparked anxiety among residents along the porous Sierra Leone–Guinea frontier, occurred when armed troops from Guinea reportedly crossed into Kaliereh and detained members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and other joint security officers stationed in the area. The unexpected incursion heightened tensions in the remote border community and surrounding chiefdoms in Falaba District, raising concerns over territorial integrity and the safety of security personnel deployed to safeguard Sierra Leone’s northern boundary. However, swift diplomatic intervention by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Timothy Musa Kabba...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Assistant Coach Sheku Umaro Kamara has declared that Star Sports Academy are fully focused and highly motivated ahead of their crucial Leone Rock Premier League clash away to Wusum Stars in Makeni on Sunday. Speaking to AWE Media Sierra Leone, coach Kamara described his side as “highly spirited and focused to win” as they prepare for what is widely seen as one of the standout fixtures of the weekend. The assistant coach recalled last season’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Wusum Stars at the same venue but insisted his team is determined to turn the tide this time around. “Makeni is like our second home ground,” Kamara said.  “We secured our qualification to the Premier League in Makeni. Apart from our desire to seek revenge, our season goal remains the same, to win the Leone Rock Premier League and be crowned champions for the first time in our club’s history,” he affirmed. Star Sports, currently sitting second on the table with 29 points, head into the encoun...

By: SLAJ National Secretariat  The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, on Friday, 27th February 2026, welcomed the Chief Executive Officer of Africell Sierra Leone, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, to the SLAJ Secretariat in what has been described as a historic visit. The visit was a courtesy call to the Association’s newly elected Executive, which had been planning to visit its partners as part of the tradition observed by every incoming Executive.  However, Africell took the initiative to visit the Secretariat first, marking a significant departure from the norm. During the visit, the SLAJ President, accompanied by other Executive Members, conducted a tour at the Secretariat with the Africell CEO and the company’s Media Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay. The tour provided firsthand insight into the current state of the Secretariat and highlighted potential areas for development and partnership. “This is a historic moment for SLAJ. Usually, we pa...

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Over Sight Committee on Sports Hon. Mariatu Rachael Pessima has described their roles in sports development as strategic and supportive.  "Our role is to serve as a bridge between Parliament and the NSA. We are not merely performing supervisory role, we are strategic, supportive and forward-looking. Oversight, when properly exercised, strengthens institutions, promotes accountability and enhances performance," she said.  The Hon. Member of Parliament said that her committee provides policy guidance and legislative support, and  where gaps exist in the legal and regulatory framework governing sports, they initiate amendments or propose new legislation that will empower the NSA to operate efficiently and independently, whilst maintaining high standards of governance. As a committee, we promotes institutional strengthening through engagements with the relevant stakeholders.  "Sport is not merely recreation; it is a tool for national ...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson  Mikel Arteta says Arsenal FC have earned their place at the top of the table as they return to Premier League action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Speaking during the press conference ahead of the match, Arteta confirmed Arsenal lead the league by four points and stressed that his confidence in a potential title push is based on the daily standards he sees from his squad. “My belief comes from what I see every day. The preparation, the attitude, and how much the players want it,” Arteta said. On team injury update, Arteta provided positive fitness news, confirming Riccardo Calafiori trained fully and is expected to be available.  Ben White’s substitution in the previous match was described as fatigue-related, with no serious injury concerns. Captain Martin Odegaard will miss the Wolves game but could return for the weekend, while Kai Havertz remains a possibility depending on late assessments. Arteta said squad availability will be key as Arsena...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson, Sierra Leone  Sierra Leone’s senior sports administrator and respected journalist, Unisa Deen Kargbo (UDK), has added another major milestone to his growing list of achievements with his latest appointment to the Finance Committee of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The famous sports enthusiasts from Sierra Leone historically joined the IBSA as the only African selected to serve on the four-man committee. As a long-time member of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), Kargbo’s journey has been defined by years of dedicated service to sports development, para-sports advocacy, and professional excellence both on and off the field.  His steady rise from sports journalism to national sports administration and now on the continental para-sports engagement has earned him widespread respect across Africa and beyond. Reacting to the appointment, in interview with Awoko Newspaper on Wednesday afternoon, Kargbo described the m...