mgid.com, 751172, DIRECT, d4c29acad76ce94f

Salone Messenger

Reading: How Radio DJ Mamaja Jalloh Is Using His Voice to Fight for Freedom and Justice in Sierra Leone
Reading: How Radio DJ Mamaja Jalloh Is Using His Voice to Fight for Freedom and Justice in Sierra Leone

How Radio DJ Mamaja Jalloh Is Using His Voice to Fight for Freedom and Justice in Sierra Leone

Post Views: 1299
Sallu Kamuskay
By Sallu Kamuskay 4 Min Read
4 Min Read

Mamaja Jalloh, known as DJ Base, is not just a popular radio disc jockey in Sierra Leone but also a fearless advocate for freedom and justice.

Mamaja Jalloh, known as DJ Base Is currently working as presenter two TV programs Back To Base Show and the Hot Seat Show

Despite facing threats, harassment, and physical violence, Jalloh has continues to use his platform to raise awareness about crucial issues affecting the lives of Sierra Leoneans.

Jalloh’s journey as a radio broadcaster began in 1999 when he joined Radio Democracy, where he aimed to make a difference by sharing facts, opinions, and advocacy with his listeners. Two years later, he was invited by the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone to work at their radio station, contributing to peace-building efforts after a devastating civil war. It was during this time that he started his renowned radio program, Night Line, which attracted up to five million listeners and tackled various topics related to Sierra Leone’s development.

While Jalloh gained fame and influence throughout the country, his outspoken views sometimes clashed with those of the government. In 2002, he launched a campaign against rape and other crimes against women, ultimately leading to the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act in 2014. He also advocated for government accountability and increased funding for the Sierra Leone Judiciary, resulting in a significant budget increase in 2015. Additionally, Jalloh exposed corruption in the healthcare system, leading to the trial and punishment of individuals who had misappropriated funds meant for health services.

Jalloh’s activism has come at a high personal cost. He has been threatened, harassed, and physically assaulted multiple times. In 2004, he was attacked by the police, leaving him with injuries, and his home was raided and looted in 2005 after receiving anonymous threatening messages. In January 2017, Jalloh woke up to find his home covered in blood, an incident that remains unsolved. Despite these dangers, Jalloh remains undeterred and committed to fighting for the common good.

Jalloh’s impact extends beyond political opponents as he also played a crucial role during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. Despite the risk of infection, he continued to interact with the public, using his show to provide vital information and support to Sierra Leoneans.

Many Sierra Leoneans credit DJ Base with opening their eyes to new perspectives on social awareness. Through his program, he has elevated ideals of good governance, democracy, responsibility, and accountability. Jalloh firmly believes in the potential of Sierra Leone and encourages everyone to contribute to its development and the betterment of the continent.

Despite the ongoing threats he faces, Mamaja Jalloh remains dedicated to his mission of using the spotlight to bring attention to the issues that matter most to the people of Sierra Leone. His unwavering commitment to freedom, justice, and social change continues to inspire and empower his listeners, making him a true hero in the country’s fight for a brighter future.

Stay Updated

Share this Article
Follow:
Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.