By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
After the spike in resignations, the Board of the Society for Radio Democracy 98.1 FM has allayed the fears of the public and assured everyone that there is no crisis at the broadcaster.
The Board made this clarification in a press statement dated 5th August, 2023 after the resignations of some senior staff of the institution made public.
The statement noted that the institution is simply going through a process of review and reforms as all forward-looking institutions do from time to time, in order to ensure that the station continues to effectively deliver on its mandate of championing the cause of democracy, good governance, and human rights in Sierra Leone.
It stated that the attention of the Board of Directors of the Radio was drawn to ongoing discussions on social media regarding recent resignations at the institution and the rather wild speculations doing the rounds. The Board therefore clarifies in the statement that Asmaa James who has served as Station Manager for more than a decade, had more than a year ago informed the Board that she wished to move on to other endeavours.
She was said to have eventually tendered her resignation as Station Manager effective the end of July and the Board is planning a befitting send-off for her in the near future when she returns to the country, as she is currently abroad.
The statement further noted that in a bid to revitalize the station, bring in fresh ideas, and set the station on a sustainable course to meet the current and future challenges of the media sector in the country, the Board decided to hire a consultant on a six-month contract to manage the station.
The Board described the consultant, Kakpindi Jamiru in the statement, as someone with a lot of broadcasting experience, having worked for Search for Common Ground and BBC Media Action, and provided mentoring for radio stations. He was said to have commenced work on Tuesday 1st August 2023.
The Board also decided in the statement that the position of Station Manager will be advertised before the end of the six months mandate of the consultant, and a substantive Station Manager will be appointed through a transparent process. It noted that the Deputy Station Manager, Mabel Kabba, and Producer Kadija Bangura resigned from their positions, ostensibly to pursue other opportunities.
However, in a departure notice from the former Producer Kadijah Bangura circulated on social media, she indeed confirmed her resignation from Radio Democracy. She said, “it was not a decision I took lightly, but it came to a point when I felt strongly that I had to move on and challenge myself differently.”
The former Deputy Station Manager, Mabel Kabba also confirmed in a statement to have tendered her resignation to the Radio’s management on the 2nd August, 2023, citing to seek new challenges and opportunities which she said played a crucial role in her decision.
“I will never compromise my principle of fairness, honesty, objectivity and above all the fear of God no matter what,” part of her statement reads
She concluded by thanking the management and Board for the opportunity they accorded her to serve in the institution.
The Board in conclusion stated that Radio Democracy will continue to provide a space for all voices to be heard and for discussion and debate on issues of national concern.
The outgoing station Manager in a verified Social Media post expresses fulfillment having served in the institution for 22 years. “Twenty two years it has been …..Years of learning &growth. By the end of September 2023, I will end my journey at Radio Democracy 98.1 FM to face a season of new adventures, challenges and wins! Exploring the road not taken that will undoubtedly lead to somewhere,” the post reads.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (07/08/23)
