AYV News, August 15, 2025
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has opened a new chapter in Sierra Leone-Cuba relations following a high-level meeting with the Cuban Ambassador at the Cuban Embassy in Freetown.
The SLAJ delegation, led by President Alhaji Manika Kamara and accompanied by Immediate Past President and ex-officio Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, engaged in wide-ranging discussions on promoting bilateral ties through stronger media collaboration.
Ambassador Ambassador Norma Sanchez Aguila warmly welcomed the SLAJ team and expressed her excitement to begin a strategic relationship with the Association, building on over 53 years of Sierra Leone-Cuba friendship. She spoke passionately about the many Sierra Leoneans, particularly in the medical field, who studied in Cuba and are now excelling in both countries, stories she noted the media has yet to fully tell.
Highlighting immense opportunities for cooperation, the Ambassador proposed professional and cultural exchange visits, linking SLAJ with the Cuban Press Union, and collaborating on a documentary chronicling the Sierra Leone-Cuba relationship through key moments such as the Ebola and COVID-19 crises, as well as documenting human capital development. The documentary, she suggested, could be showcased at Cuba’s prestigious annual International Film Festival.
As ex-officio, Mr. Nasralla introduced the new SLAJ Executive and welcomed the initiative, proposing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define and guide the partnership.
President Kamara underscored the value of the collaboration, saying: “Cuba has a long-standing reputation for excellence in media education and advocacy. This partnership offers Sierra Leonean journalists the opportunity to acquire new skills, broaden perspectives, and tell our shared stories to the world.”
Both parties agreed to work toward an MoU to formalize the cooperation in the coming weeks, with a focus on journalism training, media innovation, cross-cultural programs, and stronger coverage of the Sierra Leone-Cuba friendship.
