By Ragan M Conteh

The sixth parliament has unanimously approved the director genera, Josephine Fatima Kamara of Sierra Leone Broadcasting Co-operation (SLBC).

During the 39th plenary sittings, the Director General, Josephine Fatima Kamara was approved to take over the outgoing DG Joseph Egbanda Kapuwa of the state owned broadcaster, SLBC.

Having been unanimously approved by the House, Madam Josephine Fatima Kamara,  pledged to transform the institution and to improve the condition of service of SLBC’s  workers across the country.

She also vowed to build on the existing structure being left her predecessor.

The leader of government business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, who is also the chairman of on the Appointment Committee heaped praises on the new DG. He narrated that the committee had on Tuesday, 5, March 2024, on the said engagement, vetted the DG and they said Madam Kamara is suitable for the position.

Hon. Nyuma was well pleased with new DG’s presentation.

According to the leader of government business, the national broadcaster needs swift digital transformation and  season media technocrats for the state broadcaster to attain a greater height in the media landscape.

He noted the struggles of the digital revolution in the World today.

“Mr. Speaker, honorable members the candidate as in section 14 subsection (1) of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation Act 2011 was interviewed and is considered fit as Director General,” he noted. He said Madam Josepine Fatima Kamara had promised to change the face of SLBC into a modern-day broadcasting and news reporting station.

He therefore moved the motion for the approvement of Mrs. Kamara.

Hon. Daniel Koroma of the All-People’s Congress (APC) party seconded the motion for the approval, noting the percentage of nominees that have appeared before the committee on appointment in terms of gender is 100%. He added that it is by no means that the president had appointed Josephine Fatima Kamara as director of the state media house.

“When women are in authority most people may not be happy” Hon. Daniel Koroma recounted.

In his submission, Hon. Tamba Johny congratulated the approved DG, and urged her to re-introduce most of the national languages in their news programme.

He recounted that SLBC is one of the oldest national broadcasters in the sub-region established in 1935, but it cannot compete with other private media houses in the country.

The lawmaker reminded the DG about the regional office to be refurbished well so that the people of Sierra Leone will feel the presence of the national broadcaster (radio and television).

The longest serving female MP, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay thanked President Bio for keeping his campaign promises to empower women.

“What men can do, women can do it better,” she said.

Madam Sesay assured that women are the fittest to lead SLBC and sees a lot of qualities in Madam Josephine Fatima Kamara.