In a strong show of leadership and accountability, the Acting President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Sierra Leone (PPG-SL), Madam Feima Sesay, delivered a stirring and comprehensive report on Friday 13th June,  2025 at the Triennial Conference of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel in Freetown.

The conference, themed “Electing a New Executive, Moving SLAJ Forward,” brought together seasoned journalists from across the country alongside key representatives from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the UNDP, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Freetown.

The PPG-SL’s report, presented during the affiliate session, stood out for its frank assessment of the Gallery’s transformation, challenges, and ambitious vision for the future.

Madam Feima Sesay, who assumed office in January 2025 following a transparent endorsement process, described the state of the PPG-SL at the time as one marred by low morale and operational stagnation.

She and her interim team have since worked to reestablish discipline, unity, and credibility among the 50 verified members of the Gallery.

The verification exercise, a first of its kind, ensured all members met ethical and professional standards and were properly accredited to report from Parliament.

“From the onset, our priorities were clear, to restore discipline, build confidence, foster unity, and operate with transparency and accountability,” said Madam Sesay.

Among the key achievements outlined were discipline and order, regular general meetings, operational guidelines, and open communication, which have restored professionalism within the gallery. Training Initiatives.

All members received training on reporting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in partnership with AIM, and discussions are underway for financial journalism training with Rokel Commercial Bank.

Strategic Partnerships Collaborations with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Parliament’s Transparency Committee are set to boost investigative journalism capacity.

A Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Interim Vice President Alieu Suwu, has been established to modernize the Gallery’s governing document. PPG-SL members are now actively registering with SLAJ, closing a long-standing gap in affiliation. For the first time, a female PPG-SL member is vying for a national SLAJ executive position, with the full backing of the gallery.

Looking ahead, the PPG-SL plans to organize its first-ever Annual General Meeting (AGM), ratify its revised constitution, and hold elections for a substantive executive. Additional plans include advanced training in parliamentary and digital journalism, a strategic team-building retreat, and enhanced international collaborations.

A key advocacy issue on the horizon is a pending meeting with the Speaker of Parliament to discuss the case of journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray, whose matter currently awaits parliamentary resolution. The leadership emphasized the need to protect journalists while upholding ethical standards.

Despite the progress made, Madam Feima Sesay did not shy away from highlighting serious challenges. Chief among them are financial constraints, lack of office space, and the absence of a digital presence. The PPG-SL also raised concerns over growing threats to press freedom within Parliament, particularly the application of Standing Order 75, which can be used to curtail reporting under contempt proceedings.

Indirect intimidation of journalists reporting on sensitive parliamentary issues was also mentioned. Madam Sesay made a passionate appeal to SLAJ and partners for disbursement of government subvention funds earmarked for affiliate bodies. Support in securing office space within or near Parliament. Assistance in developing a professional website. Continued mentorship and institutional recognition.

In an emotional close, Madam Sesay urged SLAJ not to abandon the PPG-SL due to past leadership failures. “As the saying goes in our local parlance, ‘Bad bush nor dey for troway bad pikin.’ Let us fix our house together, not abandon it,” she said.

With dedication, support, and strategic partnerships, the Parliamentary Press Gallery Sierra Leone hopes to not only rebuild but to become a model for legislative reporting across the region.