Defeating Mustapha Sesay in Presidential poll… Manika Emerges as New SLAJ Prexy
Members of the SierraLeone Association had come out in large numbers on Saturday at Bintumani Hall to elect their Executive members who will serve for another three years.
SLAJ members made a critical decision in the ballot box by electing Alhaji Manika Kamara as the New President of SLAJ that will succeed the outgoing President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla.
According to the valid vote count in the Presidential poll, Alhaji Manika Kamara secured 308 votes, while his main contender, Mustapha Sesay, pulled 153, out of the total valid votes cast.
There was widespread celebration in the hall when Alhaji Manika was pronounced as the winner.
Being referred to as the “people’s candidate,” Alhaji Manika Kamara has risen from being an Apprentice- serving in key positions including Assistant Secretary, Acting Secretary-General, and most recently, National Secretary-General.
His six-year leadership trajectory within SLAJ has been marked by dedication, professionalism, and institutional reform.
Currently serving as News Editor of Awoko Newspaper with over 15 years uninterrupted experience in Journalism, Kamara brings wealth of experience to the Presidency. His work has earned him multiple accolades, both nationally and internationally, reinforcing his reputation as a credible and seasoned media practitioner.
His campaign focused on themes of continuity, transformation, and innovation — a message that evidently resonated with the SLAJ electorate. Kamara’s platform emphasized strengthening journalistic integrity, promoting media freedom, and empowering young journalists through capacity-building programs.
On the other hand, Mustapha Sesay, the main contender to Manika who campaigned on a message of change, failed to canvass majority support and votes. The voters did not buy his campaign message because it was unsellable compared to Alhaji Manika. Mustapha has contested three times for the SLAJ Presidency and has lost woefully in those three periods.
With his resounding victory, Manika is now ready to build on the foundation laid by the outgoing President and take the association into a new chapter while continuing to address the challenges facing journalism profession in Sierra Leone.
