He disclosed that his institution has been engaged in the sensitization drive about the importance of SIM card registration, data protection, cyber-security and other aspects of telecommunication.
“During our engagements, we discovered that there were lots of commendations from the public about the operations of Africell,” Manley said, adding that citizens interviewed rated Africell as the best among the rest.
Mr. Manley maintained that the telecommunications giant has lived up to expectations in providing relevant services to various sectors at cheaper cost. He noted that the provision of affordable internet service, especially to students and pupils is exemplary.
“The internet is a conduit to conduct research by students and during our interactions with students we learned that the bulk of the student population in the country are using Africell service to do research for their academic work and it is paying dividends,” he said.
He further explained how students praised the company for providing the service at reasonable and affordable cost. Alphonso Manley argued that the Africell internet service is fast and the charges for data are cheaper which helps to enhance the academic performance of students.
Africell, he went on, has contributed to the development of the entertainment industry, which is mainly made up of young people. He noted that the company has the highest signing of young Sierra Leonean artists as its Brand Ambassadors, thereby empowering their businesses and developing their talents.
Mr. Manley further said that their findings revealed that Africell has empowered many Sierra Leoneans financially through its promotions, the latest being the ‘Keke’ promotion, where several Sierra Leoneans across the country won brand new Kekes to become gainfully employed.
“Africell has created more millionaires in the country more than any other mobile company. Africell, is also deeply involved in sponsorship of the Premier League, which is ongoing in the country. Africell is also supporting various football clubs across the country and as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Africell is ranked the best among the others and it is giving back part of its profit to institutions by way of renovating schools, providing learning materials etc. This, is what is required from any investor in the country,” Mr. Manley said.
He used the opportunity to admonish Africell management to continue with the good work. He praised the company for providing jobs for the youths and improving communities, like the ‘Palampo’ project in Wilberforce, adding that Africell is the only company funding that project and that Africell also empowers radio stations, a typical example being the Society for Radio Democracy 98.1FM.
He maintained that as a civil society organization, they will commend public entities whenever it is necessary to do so and hope that by so doing, they would be encouraged to do more.
