SLAJ President-Elect Alhaji Mamika Kamara Delivers First Remarks After Victory

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Last updated: 2025/06/15 at 10:50 AM

By Sallu Kamuskay - Journalist and Public Relations Expert Published June 15, 2025 4 Min Read

4 Min Read

Alhaji Mamika Kamara, newly elected president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has delivered his first statement following his victory in the association’s national elections.

In his speech, Kamara described the outcome as a collective moment for the association, calling it “a victory for unity” and “the enduring spirit of press freedom.” He acknowledged both his supporters and those who voted for his opponent.

Kamara also congratulated all elected officers and encouraged unsuccessful candidates to continue contributing to SLAJ’s work.

“The real task begins now,” he said, highlighting priorities such as press freedom, professionalism, and member welfare.

SLAJ, the umbrella body for journalists in Sierra Leone, holds elections every three years to elect national and regional executives.

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Interim Victory Speech by Alhaji Mamika Kamara, President-Elect Alhaji Manika Kamara

Fellow Colleagues, Champions of the Fourth Estate,

Tonight, I do not stand alone. I stand with every journalist who has ever held a pen in truth’s defense. I stand with you all; not as a victor over others, but as a servant of a cause greater than us all.

This is not just my win. This is SLAJ’s victory. A victory for unity, for resilience, and for the enduring spirit of press freedom in Sierra Leone.

We did not begin this journey today. No! we are walking a well-lit path, carved by the sweat and sacrifice of those who came before us. And now, we pick up the torch; not to rest, but to run faster, aim higher, and shine brighter.

Let me begin with gratitude. To each and every one of you who voted – thank you. Whether you cast your vote for me or for *MUSTAPHA SESAY*, your participation is proof that SLAJ is alive and thriving. This is your association, your voice, your future.

To my fellow candidate (MUSTAPHA), I salute you. You brought passion, vision, and courage to this race. You stirred meaningful debate and inspired thought. SLAJ needs your energy, your ideas, and your continued commitment. This work is not over, and you remain part of this story.

To those who have been elected, I say congratulations. To those who weren’t, I say – don’t step back, step forward with us. There is work for everyone at this table. SLAJ is strongest when all voices are heard, and all hands are on deck.

Now, the real task begins.

Let us refocus on what truly matters – upholding the freedom of the press, deepening professionalism, improving the welfare of our members, and fiercely defending our sacred space as journalists.

We must walk the talk , with transparency, with humility, and with service above self. Our credibility is our currency. Let us spend it wisely.

We owe it to the founders of SLAJ; those who dreamt of a fearless, independent, and ethical media; to carry that dream forward with integrity. And we owe it to the next generation to leave them something stronger than what we inherited.

SLAJ is not a name. SLAJ is a legacy. A responsibility. A promise.

And today, we renew that promise; to each other, to the truth, and to the nation.

This is our moment. Let us rise with it. Let us move forward, not just as colleagues, but as a family. *United in purpose, driven by values, and committed to the truth.*

SLAJ wins. Sierra Leone wins. Journalism wins.

Thank you, and may unity forever be our compass.

*Long live SLAJ!!*

*Long live journalism*

*God bless you all!*

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By Sallu Kamuskay Journalist and Public Relations Expert

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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.