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An Interview with Fredica Momoh, newscaster at Sierra Leone
Broadcasting Corporation
By Roland B. Marke

Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service was recently transformed from being the state
owned broadcaster, and one of the oldest broadcasting houses in West Africa, to
Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), a public limited liability company.
African Examiner’s contributor Roland Marke spoke to Fredica Momoh, a dynamic and
articulate 25 year-old newscaster and journalist at SLBC.

Following, is an extract from the exclusive interview I conducted with her.

Roland Marke: Welcome Fredica Momoh to the United Stated. It’s my pleasure to
interview you. What’s your purpose, visiting the United States?

Fredica Momoh: Thank you very much, Roland. Well, I’m visiting the United States to
represent my country – Sierra Leone, in this year’s Microbicides Conference in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Microbicide is the study of a substance designed to prevent
and reduce sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI’
s), when applied topically inside the vagina or rectum, and possibly creating the
HIV/Aids vaccine that would be distributed worldwide. I’m also attending Women’s
Delivery Conference in Washington D.C. This conference concerns all females, and
problems affecting women and girls around the world: Especially in Africa, where the
maternal and infant mortality rate is alarming. This is a serious concern for women
because of lack or inadequate medical attention, mostly in the rural areas of our
communities. Women frequently die during child birth, or trying to carry out unsafe
abortions. But thank God the rest of the world came together to execute the
millennium development goals (MDGs) 4-5-6 and making sure that no woman would
have to die giving birth to life – a precious child.

RM: Highlight your impressions during participation at the recent conferences.

FM: Well, everything went very well. I learnt a lot and am even taking some materials
home to teach journalists and newscasters in the media, especially colleagues at
SLBC, the knowledge I’ve recently gained. The conference was well organized, and
there were about three thousand delegates, from around the world. It was a wonderful
opportunity to meet an array of nationals from various countries and cultures. All the
participants, including me, were opportune to sharing diverse experiences, and that
was exciting and educative.

RM: What other countries apart from the US have you visited before? Please share
your experiences with us.

FM: I have travelled to Ghana, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa. My experiences
were wonderful. I had the opportunity of meeting other journalists around the world.
We worked together and shared valuable experiences, and learning a lot of new ideas
in the profession. I feel very fortunate and honored. Though as a female journalist in
my country, we are faced with ongoing challenges from our male counterparts, who
think that the profession is still male dominated. But once we’re courageously united,
women would definitely forge ahead.

RM: What is your background? Please tell readers about the work you do at SLBC,
now that it’s officially a private enterprise.

FM: Well, I don’t have much to say, except that am Fredica Momoh, a Sierra Leonean
journalist working for the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, formerly called,
SLBS. I work there as a news reporter, and am also a newscaster for both radio and
television. I’m actually enjoying working there, now that it’s officially a private
enterprise and even before that.     

RM: Walk us through the process of transforming SLBC into a viable and profitable
business entity.

FM: The transition of SLBS to SLBC was not an easy task, moving from analogue to
digital broadcasting equipments was really tough, and for the present government led
by H.E President Ernest Bai Koroma, declaring SLBS a non-governmental
broadcaster that will give equal opportunity to all political parties without fear or favor,
or religious affiliation. In addition to providing commercial air time is definitely
Herculean challenge.

RM: How long have you worked for this broadcasting house and what do you find
satisfying that keeps you fixated there?

FM: I’ve been working for the former SLBS, now SLBC, for the past four years, and
the motivation that keeps me hanging on there is that my job is satisfying and I just
love my job. I think I have a lot to offer because the SLBC has made me what I am
today, and am honestly grateful to SLBC.

RM: Should we envision better days at SLBC in the horizon?

FM: Yes, better days are in the horizon not only because it is managed and operated
by the private section, and that it is now a public broadcaster. It’s simply because
Sierra Leonean journalists work hard, despite many challenges to the best of their
abilities, and showcasing their talents as proud journalists of our beloved nation.   

RM: Are there future plans to further expand and modernize the services that SLBC
already provides?

FM: Sure, there are plans on the way to expand the services that SLBC provides.  I
can assure you, there are dynamic changes taking place right now, because the
SLBC is moving fast in expanding its services, spearheaded by the current
management and devoted team players, there must be light at the end of the tunnel.

RM: What is your projection of SLBC in 5 years time? Do you have any other
message you would like to send to our readers around the world?

FM: Yes, there are plans underway; some of them have already materialized, while
others are still in the pipeline. I’m telling you in the next five years people will see
tremendous changes and efficient services. We have ingenuous Sierra Leonean
minds at SLBC. We just need support and sponsorship with job training, to hone our
talents and kills. I bet you, the team at the SLBC can work under challenging
condition, and we are fast learners. I hope the International Community could do
justice here, by providing scholarships for us to undergo relevant training, and
motivate us with modern equipments and facilities, and that would make all the
difference.

Roland Bankole Marke is a Sierra Leonean, and the author of Harvest of Hate: Stories and Essays,
Silver Rain and Blizzard, and Teardrops Keep Falling. He’s also a poet, songwriter and
commentator, with a passion for humanity, especially giving voice to deprived women and children
around the word. His website is www.rolandmarke.com

Roland Bankole Marke © 2010