AWOL Sierra Leone

18/11/2025

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 17th November 2025

AWOL Chairman Trains Community Journalists in Masiaka

The All ‘Works’ of Life (AWOL) development organisation has successfully concluded a two-day foundational media training for the Concern Koya Chiefdom Media Team and three officers of the Masiaka Police Division. The training, held on the 15 and 16 November 2025 at the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Masiaka, was facilitated by AWOL Chairman and Ex Officio of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who volunteered his expertise as part of AWOL’s new ‘Giving Back to Society’ initiative.

The programme aimed to strengthen community journalists’ reporting skills and enhance communication between local authorities and residents. Participants were trained in fundamental journalism skills, including news writing, ethics, community storytelling, balance and fairness, interviewing techniques, advocacy and sensitisation, and the responsible use of digital and social media tools.

“As AWOL, we believe that development begins with empowered communities. By strengthening the skills of grassroots journalists, we are helping to shine light on real issues affecting places like Masiaka and Koya Chiefdom. This is part of our commitment to give back; sharing our expertise freely so that communities can tell their stories, hold duty bearers accountable, and inspire positive change,” said Mr. Nasralla.

The initiative was sponsored by Mr. Abdul Kabba Kargbo, commonly known as ‘Super’ in the chiefdom. As the Chairman of the Local Policing Partnership Board (LPPB) Masiaka Division, Mr. Kargbo’s commitment to youth and community empowerment in the Koya chiefdom made the training possible.

“Supporting this training is my small way of helping the people of Koya Chiefdom. When our local reporters and police officers are better equipped to communicate, the entire community benefits. I am committed to sponsoring more advanced media capacity-building programmes because an informed community is a stronger, safer, and more united community,” said Mr. Kargbo, who is also the Chairman of Kaduna, the highest decision making body of AWOL.

This effort aligns with AWOL’s vision of promoting inclusive development through knowledge sharing and capacity building. Under the organisation’s new outreach strategy, AWOL experts will be offering their professional skills, gratis, to communities, institutions, and grassroots groups nationwide, helping amplify local concerns and encourage responsive action from duty bearers.

The training also highlighted key issues facing Koya Chiefdom, including electricity challenges, limited access to quality education, the absence of a community radio station, and the growing drug abuse crisis affecting young people.

At the closing session, participants received certificates of participation, while the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Masiaka Police Division, CSP John B. Koroma, received a Special Certificate of Merit for his exemplary leadership in fostering community engagement.

“This training has further strengthened the bond between the police and the community we serve. Effective communication builds trust, and trust enhances security. We appreciate AWOL and Mr. Kargbo for this support, and we stand ready to collaborate on future initiatives that promote peace, accountability, and development in Koya Chiefdom,” said CSP Koroma.

The Coordinator of the Concern Koya Chiefdom Media, Buya Koya Kamara, thanked Mr. Kargbo for sponsoring the initiative and AWOL for delivering the training. He said the training has opened their eyes and strengthened their confidence as community reporters.

“This training has equipped us to serve our community better. We are ready to highlight our challenges and work with stakeholders to find solutions. We feel empowered. With the skills we’ve gained, we can now report more responsibly and help amplify the voices of our people for real change,” he said.

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About AWOL (All Works of Life Development Organization)
AWOL is a national civic and development organisation dedicated to complementing the efforts of government in nation building; promoting unity, service, and national transformation. Through philanthropy, volunteerism, awarding exemplary national service, community outreach, and capacity building, AWOL supports initiatives that empower citizens and foster meaningful social and economic progress across Sierra Leone.

Signed:

Ezekiel Kalvin Duramany Lakkoh
Secretary General

17/10/2025

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 17th October 2025

AWOL UK Donates Medical & Baby Care
Items to Bo Government Hospital

Bo City, Southern Sierra Leone: The United Kingdom Chapter of All ‘Works’ of Life (AWOL) development organisation has donated medical and baby care supplies worth between £4,000 and £5,000 to the Bo Government Hospital, as part of its continuing support to improve maternal and child healthcare services in Sierra Leone.

The donation, which included eight boxes of assorted items, comprised a £1,200 breast pump for the maternity ward, pampers, new-born baby clothing, and personal items for mothers, toddlers, and nurses. Additional donations were made to the Antenatal Clinic and Wards 6 and 8 of the hospital.

Making the presentation on behalf of her executive, AWOL UK Chairwoman, Mariama Bundu, said the donation reflects the Chapter’s shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of Sierra Leoneans, especially women and children.

“This donation is from our hearts to our mothers, babies, and nurses in Bo. We know the challenges they face daily, and we wanted to ease some of that burden while showing that they are not forgotten. As members of the Sierra Leonean diaspora, we believe it’s important to give back in ways that touch lives and strengthen our communities. This is what AWOL is all about: service, compassion, and unity,” said Mrs. Bundu.

Speaking after the ceremony in Bo City, the Chairman of AWOL Sierra Leone, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, described the gesture as part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to support essential public services and complement government’s efforts in nation building.

“AWOL has always believed that giving back is a duty of citizenship. This donation is more about showing compassion and solidarity with our mothers, babies, and health workers who are doing an extraordinary job under challenging conditions. We are proud of our UK Chapter for once again demonstrating what AWOL stands for: service, unity, and development,” said Nasralla.

This is the second donation by AWOL UK to the Bo Government Hospital, reaffirming the chapter’s sustained engagement with the Bo community and its commitment to improving healthcare delivery. Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, Medical Superintendent at the Bo Government Hospital, Osman Kakay, expressed deep gratitude to AWOL UK for the timely gesture.

“We are truly grateful to AWOL UK for thinking about us and for this generous donation, which will go a long way in improving the care we provide to mothers and new-borns. It is always uplifting to see Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora giving back and supporting our health services,” said Kakay.

Established in 2002, AWOL is a not-for-profit development organisation known for its philanthropy, charity, and apolitical stance. The organisation complements the efforts of government in nation building through various community-driven initiatives. Its two flagship annual events are the Day of the African Child School Feeding and Awards Program for underprivileged schools, and the National Achievement Awards, which recognise individuals, groups, institutions, and companies contributing to the common good.

Signed:

-AWOL Secretariat

06/06/2025

24/05/2025

WELCOME ADDRESS by Ahmed Sahid Nasralla (De Monk) Chairman, All Works of Life (AWOL)

Inauguration of newly appointed AWOL Executive

DATE: 23rd May, 2025

VENUE: Amb. Navo’s Residence, Freetown

Opening courtesies...

Good evening, and welcome to this joyful occasion, the official inauguration of the newly appointed Executive of AWOL, our beloved All ‘Works' of Life development organisation.

Tonight, I stand before you not just as Chairman of this powerful movement, but as a proud product of its ideals: selflessness, patience, diligence, respect, and above all, service to nation without seeking reward.

A Journey Rooted in Legacy

AWOL was not born out of vanity or political ambition, it was inspired. Back in 2001/2002, in the aftermath of our country's civil war, when Sierra Leone was on her knees and struggling to rebuild, a small group of patriotic Sierra Leoneans took the bold and hopeful initiative to form AWOL. A year later, AWOL was officially inaugurated by then-President Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.

The late President described the AWOL initiative as an idea that was in line with a United Nations self-help project, an effort to remind us that nation-building starts with us. That we, Sierra Leoneans, must be the architects of our own destiny. That to give back is not just noble, it is necessary. From this soil of shared sacrifice, AWOL was born.

A Legacy of Recognition, Service, and Smiles

Over the years, AWOL became more than an organization. We became a mirror that reflects the goodness in our society, a beacon of appreciation for those who serve without ever being seen.

Since our first National Achievement Awards in 2002, we have consistently recognised the best among us: not just the high and mighty, but also the humble and hardworking.

We have celebrated:

• The petty trader at Kroo Town Road Market who puts her children through school from the profit of a dozen cups of rice;

• The brave police officer, soldier, firefighter, and correctional service officer who stand between us and danger daily;

• The best-performing ministers, members of parliament, and heads of parastatals, who serve the nation with excellence;

• The best business entities, mobile network operators, and innovative entrepreneurs, who provide us essential goods and services;

• The farmer who tills the soil and feeds the nation;

• The brilliant pupil who tops national examinations against all odds;

• The musician, the actor, the artist, who bring joy, tell our stories, and preserve our culture.
The outstanding journalist and media who provide credible information and hold government to account.

Each award we have handed out over the years has been a thank you to those who too often go unthanked. And we have done it with no gate/entrance fees, no expectations, no strings attached. Only a desire to honour, inspire, and uplift.

We ensured that every award event was inclusive, by invitation, not exclusion; drawing guests and honorees from every sector, and every walk of life. Because Sierra Leone is not one tribe, one class, or one region; it is all of us.

Service Beyond Awards

But we did not stop at recognition or giving out awards.

We moved from applause to action.
Every June 16th, Day of the African Child, AWOL brought food, smiles, and awards to underprivileged schools, showing children that someone sees them, believes in them, and is rooting for their future.

We visited slum and deprived communities, not with cameras or fanfare, but with food, school items, and listening ears.

When disaster struck, be it the Ebola outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic, or floods and mudslides, or the ravaging fire at Fogbo village, AWOL stood up, stepped in, and supported both affected communities and government efforts.

We were there during Sierra Leone’s Golden Jubilee in 2011, waving the flag, not for show, but with pride.

Everywhere we went, we brought one thing above all: hope. And in return, we asked for nothing. Not even thanks. Because our reward is the smile of a mother, the gleam in a child’s eye, the grateful nod of a forgotten public servant.

Honoring Our Founding Giants and Past Chairmen

Let us pause to remember the pioneers: Ambassador Gibril Moseray Fadika, our first and unforgettable Godfather, who gave his all for this organization and this country. May his legacy of generosity and unshakable patriotism continue to inspire us.

Let us honor the founding members of AWOL, some of whom are still with us, others scattered across the world but never far from our hearts. Though oceans separate us, the bond of AWOL remains unbroken.

Let us pay tribute to our past Chairmen (a couple of whom had passed away); men of vision, courage, and unwavering dedication who steered AWOL through its formative years and kept the fire burning even in the toughest of times. Each of them brought unique strength to the movement, building on the legacy of service and sacrifice.

From Mustapha Adams, Moseray Fadika (late), Mohamed Laho Jalloh (late), Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK), Hon. Chernor R. M. Bah; Kweku M. S. Lisk to Ambassador Anthony Navo Junior. Not forgeting our first female Vice Chairperson of AWOL, Madam Yabome Lansana.

Your leadership laid the foundation upon which we now stand, and it is their/your footsteps we humbly follow as we usher in this new chapter. We salute you, our leaders past; your service will never be forgotten.

From those humble beginnings, our movement gave birth to AWOL Diaspora Chapters: AWOL UK, AWOL US, AWOL Continental Europe, AWOL Australia, AWOL The Gambia, and very soon we will have AWOL Canada. These chapters carried the flag with pride, uniting Sierra Leoneans abroad, promoting our culture, and contributing tangibly to development back home. These are not just branches of AWOL, they are lifelines, and living proof that AWOL is a global force.

My Journey: From Servant to Servant

Ladies and gentlemen, my personal journey to this point has been one of deep humility. For over a decade, I served as Secretary General of AWOL, the longest-serving in our history, with the nickname Sec Gen 4 Life, under all previous Chairmen. I gave not what I had in riches, for I had little, but I gave my heart, my time, my talent, my loyalty, and my respect. I served with joy, I served in silence, and I served with dignity.

That journey, unknowingly, prepared me for another role of selfless service, *as President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). Again, I served with conviction that leadership is not a position, it is a mission.

Today, as your new AWOL Chairman, I renew that commitment. Not to a title, but to a task, to bring this house back to more order, to reignite the flame of self-help, and to rally every Sierra Leonean, at home and abroad, around the green, white, and blue.

The Heartbeat of AWOL: Its Members
However, the beating heart of AWOL is its members; men and women who have given and given and given, often quietly, and sometimes sacrificially, depriving themselves for others.

AWOL is not built on money or fame, it is built on faith, dedication, and belief in a simple ideology: If each of us does a little, our country will rise a lot.

We are the only civic movement of our kind, born in 2001, that is still standing, still together, still loyal to the cause, and now regrouping with renewed determination.
That, in itself, is a monumental achievement.

And to our members who never stopped believing, even when the lights dimmed, even when the drums went silent; you are the soul of AWOL. You kept the faith, and tonight, we light the torch again: together.

What Lies Ahead

This year, we will not hold the National Achievement Awards, but we will prepare solidly to reclaim our place and our glory:

• We will organize a full Annual General Meeting (AGM), including the participation of our international chapters, to take stock and chart our course.

• We will reintroduce our flagship programs with a grand AWOL Comeback Dinner in December 2025.

• We will strengthen our diaspora connections and deepen our community engagements at home.

• We will stay true to our founding values: to give without expectation, to complement government efforts, and to be fiercely apolitical; loyal only to the people and the flag of Sierra Leone.

Let this new Executive team understand one thing clearly: this is a calling, not a position. A call to serve. A call to uplift. A call to be the difference our country needs.

Closing

As I look into this gathering, I do not see just guests. I see fellow patriots. I see doers. I see givers. I see the hands and feet of AWOL.

Let us walk this path together, with love, with sacrifice, and with unity.

Let us be the bridge between what Sierra Leone is, and what Sierra Leone can be.

Let us be AWOL.
All ‘Works’ of Life.

All ‘Works’ for Life.

Thank you, and may God bless our nation.

05/05/2025

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 5th May, 2025

AWOL Chairman Announces Appointment of New Executive
to Deliver on Development Mandate

The Chairman of the All ‘Works’ of Life Development Association (AWOL), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, is pleased to officially announce the appointment of a new Executive team that will support the delivery of AWOL’s renewed mandate to foster national development, promote excellence, and deepen community impact across Sierra Leone and among diaspora communities.

This dynamic team of professionals and committed citizens brings together a wealth of experience, passion, selflessness, and integrity, all aligned with AWOL’s mission of celebrating service and inspiring nation-building.

The new Executive comprises the following members:

1. Vice Chairman – Linford Roy-Macauley
2. Secretary General – Prof. Ezekiel K. Duramany-Lakkoh
3. Deputy Secretary General – Ibrahim Bah
4. Chief of Staff – Bilal Bangura
5. Director of Finance – Sean Parpah Chendeka
6. Director of Communications – Osman Bah
7. Director of Entertainment – Theophilus Sho-Cole
8. Director of Operations – Zainab Gols Koroma
9. Deputy Director of Operations – Prince Cuffey
10. International Coordinator – Abubakarr ‘Boxx’ Conteh
11. Deputy International Coordinator – Myke Berewa
12. Director of Gender – Binta Perez
13. Deputy Director of Gender – Josephine Pussah
14. Projects & Development Coordinator – Jabez Rogers-Wright
15. Deputy Project & Development Coordinator – Malador Sowe
16. Community Outreach Coordinator – Jamal Conteh
17. PR & Communications Adviser – Nicky Spenser-Coker

Advisory Council Members:
• Alhaji Amadou Fadika
• Habib Bundu
• Alpha Sesay
• Isatu Mansaray
• Hammon Molloh
• Alhaji Omar Jalloh

Speaking on the appointments, the Chairman stated:

“AWOL has a proud history of honouring excellence, giving back to communities, and inspiring the best in all Sierra Leoneans. With this exceptional team, we are poised to deepen our impact, broaden our reach, and uphold the values that have made AWOL a household name at home and abroad. I look forward to working with each member of this team to fulfil our collective vision.”

The new Executive will immediately begin work on setting strategic priorities and revamping AWOL’s flagship events and community initiatives, including the prestigious annual National Achievement Awards and June 16 School Feeding and Awards Program.

Signed:

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla
Chairman

30/03/2025

From the AWOL family: