By Emma Black
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), on Tuesday 30 September 2025, has concluded a two-day workshop designed to strengthen the communication skills of police media and information officers as part of the SLP’s transition from a force to a service.
The training, held from 29–30 September in Freetown, brought together media officers from across Sierra Leone to sharpen their ability to craft and deliver effective communication strategies that foster public trust and strengthen police community relations.
Police Leadership Stresses Communication in Reform Agenda Opening the session, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sahr Yomba Senesi, underscored the central role of media officers in shaping public perception of the police. As the SLP moves from a force to a service, your role as communicators is critical. The way we tell our story will determine how the public understands and supports our transformation, Senesi said.
Representing UNDP, Madam Bola Adebola reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s policing reforms. She highlighted the importance of professional communication in consolidating peace, justice, and inclusive institutions.
SLAJ President, Alhaji Manika Kamara, praised the initiative, describing it as a significant boost to the SLP’s media and outreach capacity. He encouraged participants to adopt ethical, transparent, and people-centered communication practices.
Delivering closing remarks, AIG Esther Mary Kaintor Dukuray, Director of Corporate Affairs, commended participants for their active engagement and reminded them that effective messaging is key to rebuilding confidence in law enforcement.
“Consistency and unity in communication will help us project the image of a police service that listens, serves, and protects all citizens, she stressed.
The workshop forms part of ongoing reform efforts to strengthen police community engagement and ensure the success of the Sierra Leone Police’s transformation into a modern, service-oriented institution.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 3rd October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
