By Sulaiman Jalloh
Parliament through the Committee on Appointment and Public Service on 30th May, 2024 approved Dr Willette James as Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
The Committee Chairman who doubles as Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma, stated that Dr Willette James has an exhaustive and impressive CV, noting that it is very hard to see a woman with such an attractive academic achievement. The lawmaker furthered that communications remain centre stage in her rich CV, adding that such career path speaks volumes of people who consistently serve in their professional fields. He therefore stated that such appointments are clear indication that the fight for gender parity is not based on ‘pro-bono’ but on merit.
Making his submission, the Deputy Minority Leader, representing the opposition, All Peoples Congress (APC), Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma commended Dr Willette James for what he described as strategic methodology in which she presented her documents. He expressed hope that Dr James will rise to the occasion and perform with excellence in her new role. The opposition lawmaker furthered that President Maada Bio made no mistake to appoint Dr Willette James as Chairperson for the Board of Trustees for the country’s broadcaster and expressed confidence that the appointee is well capacitated to surmount any challenges she may encounter. He therefore called on the seasoned communicator and lecturer to go and transform SLBC and make good use of available opportunities and relieve SLBC from total dependence on government subventions.
On her part, the longest serving female MP, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay affirmed that Dr Willette James’ CV speaks volumes with lots of admirable achievements, noting the current Director General of SLBC is a woman and the proposed Chairperson for Board of Trustees also being a woman means great for them as women and therefore called on them to blow the trumpet on gender issues and gender parity. Hon. Veronica further encouraged Dr James to use her expertise to excel and rebrand the nation’s media house.
Deputy leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Sidikie, on his part, raised sensitive issues regarding the state broadcasting corporation. He used the opportunity to inform Dr James that she would be inheriting a Board and a Corporation that had been battling with allegations of corruptions, poor management and other challenges. He therefore urged her to endeavour to transform SLBC. “You have a good CV and you now have the opportunity to transform SLBC. Please use the structures to make SLBC a leading media platform and make His Excellency proud. We wish you well and hope you will perform,” he concluded.
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, June 3rd , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
