The Guild of Newspaper Editors – Sierra Leone (GoNE – SL,) on Friday 14 November 2025, paid a courtesy call on One Mobile’s Chief Operating Officer, David T.A. Kpakima, during which both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen media development and deepen partnership.
GoNE – SL’s Secretary-General, Ishmail Saidu Kanu Esq. thanked the CEO for the warm reception and introduced members of the Executive.
Chairman, Thomas Dixon,, said the Guild was honoured to meet with One Mobile to exchange ideas, discuss areas of mutual interest, and explore collaboration to support media growth in Sierra Leone.
He noted that the Guild was established in October 2010 as a peer-review platform for newspaper editors, to promote responsible journalism, uphold press freedom, and support national cohesion, principally in the lead-up to the 2012 general elections and beyond.
Chairman Dixon outlined key components of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, including a printing machine to operate on a cost-recovery basis, digital training in response to the rise of artificial intelligence, and environmental reporting.
He acknowledged that female representation in the Guild remains low, but said efforts are underway to encourage more women to join, appealing to One Mobile to expand its support to other newspapers and increase its overall support to the print media.
Thomas Dixon also expressed gratitude, thanking CEO Kpakima for the company’s support to newspapers, describing it as key to media development in the country.
Responding, CEO David T.A. Kpakima praised the Guild, stating that journalism is important to national development, and forms part of the fabric of the country.
He said the work of journalists helps society hold itself accountable, and stressed the media’s importance in reaching the public.
The One Mobile CEO expressed full support for the Guild’s Strategic Plan and promised to engage the Marketing Department to push forward the partnership.
He revealed that One Mobile has launched a public-sector mobile phone for NLe 450 to assist civil servants, encouraging the media, through their platforms, to continue catering even for older citizens who struggle with new technology.
CEO Kpakima commended the Guild’s efforts, calling for a gender-balanced representation and describing the media as a major driver of national progress.
He urged journalists to continue carrying positive stories that uplift Sierra Leone’s image, but stressed that this should not stop the media from holding people accountable.
He concluded by encouraging the Guild to continue playing its role in national development.
GoNE SL Secretariat