On Friday, June 2nd, Orange SL expressed their appreciation to the members of the fourth estate for their roles and contributions to the company's successes and achievements. The event took place at Orange's Head Office in Hill Station, Freetown.
Mabel Mason, a member of Orange's PR Unit, explained the reason behind engaging with the media. She stated that this was their first media update in 2023 and expressed gratitude for the media's contributions. Mason emphasized that Orange's thriving presence in Sierra Leone is a result of the media's hard work and relentless effort in spreading awareness about Orange's activities.
During the ceremony, Bolor Sesay, the keynote speaker, praised the journalists present as esteemed members of the Fourth Estate. He acknowledged the transformation of Sierra Leone's media landscape over the past two decades, with the emergence of new technologies providing opportunities for more vibrant and diverse media.
Sesay emphasized the importance of the media in building brand awareness, connecting with customers, and achieving business goals for Orange Sierra Leone. He highlighted the media channels, including television, radio, and online platforms, as crucial for promoting Orange's products and services. He also noted that the media facilitates direct engagement with existing customers through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Sesay mentioned that Orange can now resolve customer queries and complaints promptly using their website and customer service hotline, as well as monitor customer sentiments and satisfaction regarding their products and services.
Furthermore, Sesay emphasized the media's role as a platform for promoting Orange's brand values and corporate initiatives, particularly in raising awareness about youth development programs, women's empowerment, and financial inclusion.
Madam Danetta Young, General Secretary of Orange SL, regarded the day as a symbolic moment for the company, as they recognized the significance of the media and appreciated their commitment to accuracy, reliability, and timely news reporting about Orange.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), highlighted the longstanding relationship between Orange SL, SLAJ, and the media in general, built on mutual respect, support, and benefits. Nasralla mentioned Orange's support during challenging times for the media, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of advertising. He recalled Orange's assistance to SLAJ in various programs during his tenure as Secretary General, including providing scholarships for journalists to pursue higher education.
Kamal Abass, Head of PR/CSR, presented an overview of Orange's operations. He praised the company's CEO, Sekou Amadou Bah, and the strong management team as the pillars of their success. Abass described Bah as an experienced engineer with expertise in finance, innovation, management, and mobile money. He also highlighted the addition of four new directors, demonstrating the company's growth and ambition to become the leading telecommunications business in Sierra Leone.