His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially presided over the soft launch of the revived Sierratel on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. During the ceremony at the Miatta Conference Centre, the President emphasized workers’ welfare by handing over a $2 million upfront payment from Africell Sierra Leone to the Interim Management Team (IMT). These funds are designated to begin settling long-standing staff liabilities.
Awards of recognition were presented by Dr. Prince Alex Harding to long-serving staff who have grown with the company. That moment solidified the relaunch as a long-overdue thank-you to those who refused to let Sierratel fail. Among those honored was Mr. Issa Bangura, the Director of Engineering; since joining as Director of ICT in 2009, Mr. Bangura has become the organization’s technical backbone, lauded for his strategic thinking and success in keeping the Network Operations Center and critical infrastructure functional against all odds.
Equally celebrated was Mrs. Mariama Olu-Williams, the current Customer Care Manager, who began her journey in 1991 as an International Telephone Operator. Her rise from supervising the Radio Telephone Office to leading senior commercial sales represents a lifetime of dedicated service to the national carrier.
The ceremony also turned the spotlight on the inspiring professional journey of Mr. Kandeh Mansaray, who first joined the company in 1992 as a cleaner. Over his three-decade tenure, his diligence saw him rise to messenger and eventually to his current prestigious role as Custodian of Company Archives, where he remains a highly trusted pillar of the office.
Technical expertise and staff advocacy were further honored through Mr. Edward Yarrimeh Kamara, who started as an assistant technician in 2001. While advancing to a technician role and earning an Economics degree from Fourah Bay College, Mr. Kamara became a powerful voice for workers’ welfare as General Secretary of the union (SLUPTE) and a member of the Interim Management Team.
Finally, Mr. Ibrahim Mansaray, a driver since 2009, was recognized for the discipline and mechanical aptitude that have made him a model of reliability.
“Those you see here today are representative of staff who have served Sierratel for years, some since its establishment in 1995, and the vast majority did not abandon their posts.” — Madam Salima Monorma Bah
