Sierra Leonean wins annual Broadcasting Award
26 August 2004
 |
| Andrew Kromah in action |
Andrew Jeneke Kromah, Managing Director of SKYY 106.6 Freetown and KISS 104 Bo, will receive the award after delivering the 2004 Commonwealth Broadcasting Lecture in London, UK, on 2 September. He will speak on the situation for commercial and independent broadcasters in Sierra Leone.
"Being chosen for this award has made me appreciate the extent of my own work and the impact it has had on my community," Mr Kromah said.
Elizabeth Smith, CBA Secretary-General, commended Mr Kromah for his courage in promoting press freedom. "During his ten years in radio broadcasting, Mr Kromah has fearlessly promoted free speech and democracy."
Mr Kromah launched KISS 104 in 1993 in the southern town of Bo. During Sierra Leone's civil war from 1991 to 2002, he ran the country's first rural radio station. The station now broadcasts 20 hours a day to rural listeners in the north, south and east, using four major languages -- English, Krio, Mende and Temne.
"There was a great need for a radio station in rural areas. People were affected by war but were not informed of developments. The Government was not broadcasting to rural areas and people were deprived of an opportunity to express their views on radio. This situation motivated me," Mr Kromah said.
He started his second station, SKYY 106.6, in 1996. Based in Freetown, the capital, in the country's west, it started with eight hours of daily programming. Today, it airs 21 hours a day in English and Krio.
Training his own journalists and broadcasters, Mr Kromah ensured that voices from all sides of the conflict were heard. His radio series 'Democracy Now' aims to educate illiterate people about voter rights.
Mr Kromah said: "Through my radio stations, I have given women, children and young people in rural areas the opportunity to speak openly. Now, government officials are beginning to listen to their views."
delicious
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon
News feeds