By Mohamed Konneh
Mariama Khai Fornah on Friday 17th April 2026 emerged as the winner of the national short video competition “China–Sierra Leone Cooperation in My Eyes,” organised by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone.
Ms. Khai Fornah who is currently out of the country was pronounced the winner the maiden competition.
Fornah’s winning entry stood out among submissions that documented everyday impacts of bilateral cooperation across Sierra Leone. The award was announced during a ceremony hosted by SLAJ and the Chinese Embassy. Mariama Khai Fornah has emerged winner of the national short video competition “China–Sierra Leone Cooperation in My Eyes,” organised by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone.
Fornah’s winning entry blended Chinese support in health, agriculture, and infrastructure across Sierra Leone, capturing how bilateral cooperation touches everyday life.
The video highlighted key Chinese development contributions while telling the story through Sierra Leonean perspectives.
The competition, launched on 2nd February 2026, marked the 55th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Sierra Leone and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2026. It invited Sierra Leoneans to creatively showcase the impact of China–Sierra Leone cooperation through short videos, focusing on areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, trade, cultural exchanges, and youth opportunities.
The contest was open to journalists, media practitioners, content creators, students, academics, and the general public, with emphasis on Sierra Leonean perspectives. Organisers said the initiative sought to strengthen people-to-people friendship and highlight shared development experiences between the two countries.
In second place was Patrick Sallia whose video focuses on Chinese language thought in university and that of infrastructure.
Sorie Bakarr Kamara bagged the position of second Runner-Up behind Sallia.
All winning three videos showcases China’s development agenda in Sierra Leone.
The SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara speaking before the award congratulated the winners noting that the competition will be bigger next year.
He thank the Chinese Embassy for their support to SLAJ over the years while committing the association’s partnership to the Embassy.
‘’A joint panel of experts from both the University of Sierra Leone and Limkokwing University and the Chinese Embassy review entries. All Winning videos will receive cash prizes and certificates of recognition, and selected works will be showcased on the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone’s social media platforms and other media outlets,’’ the SLAJ President said.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Zhao Yong congratulated the winners and SLAJ for organizing the competition noting the Embassy long standing support to the people of Sierra Leone. Ambassador Zhao noted that the friendship between China and Sierra Leone has a long history, and the two countries have always respected and supported each other since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago.
‘’Now, China-Sierra Leone relations are maintaining a high level of development, and China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to deepen practical cooperation, and enhance friendly exchanges between the two peoples, with a view to uplift China-Sierra Leone relations to new heights,’’ Ambassador Zhao said.
All wining videos took homes cash prizes while competitors were all compensated.
