In a bid to strengthen their partnership, the Executive of the Guild of Newspaper Editors in Sierra Leone paid a courtesy visit to the management of Africell on October 3rd, 2025, at their Wilberforce office in Freetown.
Introducing the delegation, Komba Fillie, Managing Editor of the Freetown Daily Newspaper and Public Affairs Secretary of the Guild, underscored the importance of the meeting. He lauded the role of the media and thanked Africell for accepting their invitation.
In his statement, Thomas Dixon, Managing Editor of the New Age newspaper and Chairman of the Guild, commended Africell for its contributions as one of the leading and oldest mobile companies operating in Sierra Leone. He explained the visit’s objective was to present the Guild’s new strategic direction.
Chairman Dixon outlined the Guild’s plans, which include short-term and long-term goals. The short-term focus is on developing a three-year strategic document and securing a permanent secretariat. For the long term, the Guild aims to acquire a communal printing press operating on a cost-recovery model. He stated this initiative would reduce operational costs for members, increase efficiency, and bolster the media landscape. Furthermore, he assured Africell of the Guild’s commitment to professional journalism through self-regulation and responsible reporting.
In his response, the Chief Commercial Officer of Africell recalled his strong past relationship with the media, acknowledging the expertise required to succeed in the field. He highlighted that Africell has been operating in Sierra Leone for 14 years and has a consistent history of supporting media organizations, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and 76 radio stations.
The Chief Commercial Officer assured the Guild of Africell’s support, particularly in the digital arena, which aligns with the network’s own strategic direction. He encouraged the Guild to regularly seek support from the company to expand on the existing relationship and concluded by citing the vital role of the media in identifying institutional lapses and improving performance.
