SILBA Appeals for Support To 2 Community Radio Stations
By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SILBA) has expressed deep grief following the destruction of two of its partner radio stations by fire in the North-West Region of Sierra Leone. Radio Bankhi-Solofaray FM 93.7 in Kukuna Town, Bramala Chiefdom, Kambia District, and Voice of Youth Radio FM 107.1 in Songo were both gutted on January 9, 2026, in separate but devastating incidents.
Abubakarr Conteh, Station Manager of Radio Bankhi-Solofaray, said the cause of the fire that completely destroyed their building remains unclear. Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicate that the Voice of Youth Radio fire was triggered by a fault in its solar power supply system. In both cases, SILBA has dispatched a fact-finding team to assess the extent of damage and losses.
Initial findings reveal that institutional records, office assets, and broadcasting equipment—including computers, surge protectors, and transmitters valued at millions of leones—were completely destroyed in the fires. The loss represents a significant blow not only to the radio stations themselves but also to the communities they serve, depriving local populations of vital news, information, and educational programming.
“These unfortunate incidents, occurring at the start of a new year, are particularly devastating for the broadcasting landscape in Sierra Leone,” said Stanley Bangura Jr., President of SILBA. “We empathize with the Boards, management teams, staff, and the communities that have relied on these radio stations for news, education, and entertainment for years.”
SILBA has called on corporate partners, development agencies, media stakeholders, and the general public to provide urgent funding, technical assistance, and logistical support for the reconstruction and restoration of both stations. The association emphasized that timely support is crucial to restoring regular broadcasting services and minimizing the disruption to local communities.
Founded in 2022, SILBA is a national umbrella body for broadcasters in Sierra Leone, incorporated as a membership-based organization. Its mandate is to promote cooperation, uphold best practices in broadcasting, safeguard the rights and welfare of media workers, and protect the collective interests of broadcasters across the country.
The association highlighted that Radio Bankhi-Solofaray and Voice of Youth Radio are not only media outlets but also pillars of their respective communities, providing platforms for civic engagement, education, local news, and social development. Their loss, therefore, represents both a media and a community setback.
In addition to appealing for immediate assistance, SILBA stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to strengthen fire safety and disaster preparedness in media houses nationwide to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Donors and partners willing to assist are encouraged to contribute financially or provide technical support through the Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association accounts at United Bank for Africa: LE Account – 540210030004889, USD Account – 540210130011909.
SILBA’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the affected stations throughout the recovery process and ensuring that broadcasting services are fully restored for the benefit of Sierra Leone’s media landscape and the communities they serve.
