AWE Media Sierra Leone

By: Desmond Paine ,  Sports Correspondent and Founder of Sport For Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone / Netherlands  During a recent visit to the stunning River Number Two Beach, renowned for its golden sands and rolling turquoise waves, I had the pleasure of meeting a rising star in Sierra Leone’s burgeoning surf scene.  Ali Sesay, a talented surfer hailing from the picturesque Bureh Beach on the Western Area Peninsula of Freetown, shared his inspiring journey filled with passion, progress, and newfound international connections through the exhilarating sport of surfing. Ali’s journey began at the Bureh Beach Surf Club, where his natural talent for riding the waves quickly became apparent.  He made a remarkable debut during Sierra Leone’s inaugural surfing competition at the club, where he clinched an impressive third place, showcasing both his skill and determination amongst his peers. Now, entrenched in the vibrant surf culture at River Number Two Beach, Ali is honing his craft wit...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie The Sierra Leone Senior Women’s Cricket Team, the Lady Patriots, has cemented its place in history with an undefeated run at the BCA Kalahari Women’s T20i Tournament in Botswana.  Their seven-match winning streak was a showcase of skill, teamwork, and unwavering determination, culminating in a 39-run victory against host nation Botswana in the final.   This triumph isn’t just a sporting milestone, it’s a defining moment for women’s cricket in Sierra Leone.  With a boosted ICC Women’s T20i ranking, the team is now poised for greater international recognition, expanding opportunities for female athletes across the country.   Anne Marie Monica Kamara, Aminata Kamara, and Emma Kamara dominated the bowling charts, while Marie Turay set the benchmark for fielding excellence. Aminata Kamara’s MVP title further highlights the team’s overall dominance.   With their NWACC standing redefined, Sierra Leone’s champions are now setting their sights on the July ICC Qualifier, rea...

By Desmond Paine,  Sports Correspondent and Founder, Sport For Empowerment Foundation Sierra Leone / Netherlands StarBurst Park, a vibrant and state-of-the-art sports complex in Sierra Leone, is rapidly emerging as a beacon of hope and opportunity for aspiring young athletes across the nation.  In a landscape where the spotlight often shines solely on football and entertainment venues, the park's visionary founder, Ibrahim Kanu, is boldly carving out a different path, one that begins with the thrilling sport of basketball.  During a recent visit to the facility, Kanu passionately articulated his love for basketball.  “Basketball is a beautiful sport, and my familiarity with the game allows me to better understand what is necessary to cultivate its growth through the StarBurst program,” he shared with infectious enthusiasm.  His ambitious vision is to leverage basketball as a gateway to foster a rich, diverse sporting culture throughout the region. However, basketball is merely one ...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie  The Sierra Leone Police have arrested Guinean fugitive Musa Jalloh, who is wanted for armed robbery and murder. Jalloh was apprehended on April 27, 2025, in a targeted operation led by Sierra Leone’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Freetown.   According to authorities, Jalloh allegedly killed a Guinean national and stole a 2024 Toyota Range Rover before fleeing to Sierra Leone. Acting on intelligence received through INTERPOL’s I24/7 system, law enforcement agencies monitored his movements, leading to his swift and seamless capture.   Detective Chief Superintendent Jenevieve Tity Cowan, Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Freetown, confirmed that Jalloh was intercepted without incident and that the stolen vehicle had been recovered.   CSP Cowan stressed the importance of international law enforcement collaboration in addressing cross-border crime.  The Guinean Police Chief commended the Sierra Leone Police for their rapid response and dedication to jus...

By: Alhaji A. Barrie Sierra Leone’s Senior Women’s Cricket Team, The Ladies Patriots stands on the brink of glory as they prepare for the BCA Kalahari Women’s T20 Cup final today in Gaborone, Botswana. Having dominated the competition with six consecutive wins, the team’s commanding performances against Mozambique (six-wicket win) and Botswana (67-run victory) have solidified them as strong contenders for the coveted trophy. The tournament has also seen outstanding individual performances from the Sierra Leone squad. Captain Aminata Kamara, with 120 runs, is a frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, while Anne Marie Kamara leads the bowling charts with 11 wickets. In the field, Marie Turay has been exceptional, securing seven dismissals, earning her the title of best fielder in the tournament. These efforts have highlighted the team's depth and unwavering commitment to success. Winning the prestigious Kalahari Cup would mark a defining moment for Sierra Leonean cric...

By: Desmond Paine  Even in the face of remarkable improvements in national mobile coverage, the residents of the Gola Rainforest region in eastern Sierra Leone find themselves grappling with significant connectivity challenges that threaten their safety and hinder emergency response efforts. The National Communications Authority (NCA) reports an impressive 75.30% 4G coverage across the country, with both 2G and 3G networks readily available in urban and many rural areas.  However, this progress leaves some corners of Sierra Leone, particularly the remote rainforest enclaves, in the shadows.  In these isolated communities, especially those nestled near the Gola Rainforest National Park, villagers often embark on treacherous treks to elevated vantage points, enduring steep climbs just to catch a glimpse of a reliable mobile signal. “The picture shared with this report captures the solitary spot in our area where we can consistently access mobile networks,” explained a local source, gestu...

By Alhaji Musa Bah In a touching show of solidarity, top-prominent 2028 APC Flagbearer Aspirant, Ady Macauley visited victims of a devastating fire that swept through Crab Town, Aberdeen, on Thursday 17th April, 2025 night.  The inferno, which ravaged the densely populated community, displaced over fifty families and wiped out countless investments. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Ady Macauley, known for his deep community ties, immersed himself in the situation, personally reaching out to victims and offering heartfelt sympathy. Speaking not just as a public figure, but as a “brother, son, neighbour, and everything,” Macauley comforted affected residents, sharing in their pain and offering words of encouragement during their time of distress. His actions on the ground reflect a leader whose aspirations are rooted in empathy, humility, and a profound sense of duty to the people he seeks to serve.  Rather than standing at a distance, Macauley chose to walk among the victims, listen to t...

By: Desmond "Dinho" Kallon Kenema-born journalist and government official Festus J. Lahai has donated customized football jerseys to the Kamboi Eagles football team and their officials.  This generous gesture is part of his commitment to give back to the community that helped shape his life. Festus began his educational journey in Kenema, attending primary and secondary school in the city.  His passion for journalism was nurtured early on through the support of his mentor, James Jamil Fatorma. He started his career at SLBS, now SLBC, before moving to Nongowa Radio Station in Kenema. Eventually, his pursuit of journalism took him to Freetown, where he continued his studies and joined Mercury Radio. His dedication to journalism remained strong throughout his career. After President Julius Maada Bio assumed office, Festus was appointed as a Press Attaché. He currently serves in Russia, representing the government of Sierra Leone. As an avid supporter of the Kamboi Eagles, Festus...

By Hassan Arouni I was looking for some earthenware pots. The kind made by hand, heavy at the base, breathing clay. Something to hold plants the way the earth holds dreams. So I asked Bashiru—farmer, fixer, storyteller—if pots were still made in Mano, the bustling heart of Dasse Chiefdom. “Hmm,” he said, brushing dust from his palms. “Long time now, no one makes dem ting. But there was a man…” His voice dropped slightly, as though words might awaken something sleeping. “There was one man who used to make pots, yes. But he was not… from here. I mean—he was from somewhere else. Died there. Then came here.” I frowned. “Died there? What do you mean?” “He was a die man,” Bashiru said flatly. “A dead man. Come back to life. Lived among us like nothing happened.” I blinked. “Bash… how can that be?” “E dae be ya,” he said, nodding. “Mesef been sabi wan. I knew one.” I waited. The afternoon air was thick, still. “His name was Orjagu,” Bashiru continued, voice hushed. “Not his real name. That wa...

By Amidu Kallon The National Union of APC Students (NUAS) UniMak chapter is set to celebrate the academic excellence of its graduating members with a historic dinner and award night on April 24, 2024, at MEMS ENTERPRISE in Makeni. Speaking about the event, the President of the Union, Alusine Serry Kamara, said it will not only celebrate the achievements of the graduands but also recognize their outstanding contributions to the students' body. Kamara added that the event is themed, "The Future is Now," because it aims to encourage young people to embrace youth leadership and contribute to national development by leveraging their knowledge and skills He further said the occasion will be graced by influential dignitaries, including former leader of opposition APC Party in Parliament, Hon. Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah, who will serve as the keynote speaker. While the occasion is thrown to honour NUAS UniMak, it extends invitations to sister campuses within the country.

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson   Sierra Leone's senior men's national football team (Leone Stars), has achieved an impressive leap of five places in the most recent FIFA-Coca Cola World Rankings. Previously stuck at 129th place in t November and December 2024, the team now proudly holds the 124th spot after earning 0.8 points through two international matches during the break.  Without a doubt, Sierra Leone's current ranking is largely attributed to their remarkable 3-1 victory over Guinea Bissau and a narrow 1-0 loss to Egypt during the preliminary qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup last month. With this boost, the Leone Stars have also moved up among the 54 member nations of CAF, increasing their total points from 1132 on December 19, 2024, to 1140 points positing them ahead of 86 other countries, including Congo, Gambia, Gabon, Cyprus, Rwanda, and Malaysia.  However, the top five teams in the ranking include Argentina, Spain, France, England, and Brazil, while Turks and Ca...

The Bangah family, both at home and abroad, with heavy hearts, announces the death of their beloved daughter, aunt, and niece, Madam Melrose Mary Yei Musuabo (née Bangah). A final year student of EBKUST, Makeni Campus. This sad event took place on March 6th, 2025, at the Makeni Government Hospital. She is survived by her son, Benizer Alye Musuabo. Mother: Mrs. Sarah Teresa Bangah Brothers:  Sahr, Tamba, and Sylvester Aboy in Liberia; Michael and Harold in the USA; Dr. James Edwin, Director General of NAMED; and Prince Taylor Esq., Magistrate George Edwin, Justice Albert Moody Sisters: Lona, Susan, and Dr. Seah Matilda Bangah in the USA; Mrs. Rebecca Swarray , Victoria Edwin in FTW;  Madam Messie Taylor and Diana Moody in FTW Aunts:  Ann Gborie in FTW; Mrs. Teneh Lebbie in the USA Aunties:  Madam Agar, Nancy Edwin, and Mrs. Baby Thompson in FTW   Uncles:  Pastor Philip Mount Edwin in Guinea; Hon. Moses Edwin; Samuel; Sigmund; Mathew; and Charles Edwin in Freetown   Other Relatives: Mrs....