Africell Sierra Leone, in commemoration of World Radio Day, has launched a nationwide free call-in service for radio stations across the country, a move aimed at expanding public participation in media discourse, strengthening national communication systems, and deepening civic engagement.
The initiative was unveiled on Friday at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown. The new platform allows Africell subscribers to call into participating radio programmes at no cost, removing financial barriers that have historically limited public participation in live discussions on governance, security, public health, and national development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Africell Sierra Leone’s Media Relations Manager, Abdul Karim Sesay, said the service was introduced to address long-standing challenges that exclude many citizens from public debate.
“Access to radio should not depend on a caller’s ability to buy airtime,” he said, noting that many Sierra Leoneans lack sufficient credit to contribute to discussions that directly affect their communities.
Sesay emphasized that the company currently supports media outlets in all 16 districts with connectivity, 24-hour electricity solutions, and financial assistance. He stressed that Africell’s support is designed to strengthen communication systems and amplify diverse voices without influencing editorial independence.
On behalf of radio managers, Brigitte Dalton-Sesay, General Manager of Radio Fry Fry, described radio as one of the most trusted and accessible media platforms in Sierra Leone. She said Africell has supported media institutions for more than two decades and now works with over 110 outlets nationwide through infrastructure support, power solutions, tower access, and secure technology services.
She noted that electricity remains one of the largest operational costs for radio stations and that Africell’s intervention helps broadcasters maintain reliable signals. The free call-in service, she added, would significantly deepen listener interaction and strengthen stations’ public-service mandate.
Highlighting radio’s importance in disaster management, John Vandy Rogers, General Manager of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), described radio as a critical tool for national development and disaster risk reduction. He pointed to the nationwide toll-free hotline 1199, developed in partnership with Africell, which enables citizens to report hazards and imminent threats.
Rogers said removing cost barriers to communication would strengthen early warning systems, particularly in remote and low-income communities, and urged radio stations to dedicate regular airtime to disaster preparedness messaging.
Chief of Staff at the Office of National Security (ONS), Francis Langumba Keili, underscored the security implications of improved communication access. He said the free call-in service would reinforce Sierra Leone’s people-centered security framework by enhancing early reporting and community-based intelligence gathering.
“Security depends on timely information from citizens and local authorities,” he said, warning that communication costs often delay urgent reporting and response efforts.
President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, described the initiative as a landmark innovation for democratic participation. He said radio remains the most accessible medium in Sierra Leone and that free call-ins would enable citizens in remote communities to participate in national conversations without financial constraints.
He urged radio stations to design programmes that maximize the platform’s potential and pledged SLAJ’s readiness to collaborate with Africell and media development partners to ensure responsible and impactful use.
In his remarks, Africell Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Al-Gerjawi, said the service was initially rolled out with approximately 40 stations but is open to all radio stations nationwide, regardless of existing partnerships. He said Africell would provide the necessary technical setup, including dedicated ports, to ensure seamless integration.
Al-Gerjawi stated that the initiative prioritizes social impact over operational cost, emphasizing its potential to enhance education, security, and early-warning capabilities. He added that Africell’s media partnerships have expanded from about 20 at inception to more than 110, supported by extensive infrastructure and a nationwide transmitter network.
The company also announced additional support for the print sector through “Africell Super Thursday,” a QR-code-based promotional campaign designed to boost newspaper circulation and advertising engagement.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, said the free call-in service would transform radio from a one-way broadcast channel into a dynamic national conversation platform. Citing a 2023 study indicating that roughly half of Sierra Leoneans rely primarily on radio for credible information, he said the initiative strengthens democratic dialogue and community connectivity.
The minister urged responsible use of the platform to prevent misinformation and abuse, while commending Africell for leveraging mobile technology to expand civic space.
At the close of the event, Africell signed memoranda of understanding with Kalleone Radio and Radio Tonya in Kenema to provide 24-hour electricity support, further reinforcing its commitment to sustaining media operations nationwide.
The free call-in service is expected to significantly increase listener participation, strengthen community reporting mechanisms, and enhance radio’s central role in public communication, disaster management, national security, and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
