Mariama Khai Fornah Recognized on ABCD Africa 100 Most Impactful Voices List 2024
By Mohamed Konneh
Mariama Khai Fornah, the Chief Executive Officer of Hands of Hope Radio 100.5 FM, Sierra Leone's premier woman-owned radio station, has been honored on the ABCD Africa100 Most Impactful Voices List 2024 by ABCD Africa. With over fifteen years of experience in radio journalism, Mariama is not only a broadcast journalist but also a gender activist, radio producer, presenter, and mentor.
The release of the 2nd edition of the 100 Most Impactful Voices List by ABCD Africa coincided with International Women's Day 2024. This list acknowledges African female coaches, content creators, and community builders who utilize their voices and digital content to make a difference.
In a world facing unprecedented challenges, the voices of women like Mariama are invaluable. Through platforms like the 100 Most Impactful Voices list, they highlight women who leverage digital platforms to address pressing issues, break barriers, challenge norms, and uplift communities.
Racheal, the Business Operations Manager at ABCD Africa, congratulated Mariama Khai Fornah for her recognition as one of ABCD Africa's 100 Most Impactful Voices. She commended Mariama's commitment to using her voice and digital content for positive change, expressing excitement to share her story and journey with a pan-African audience via their podcast.
Mariama's impactful career includes been the first female Sierra Leonean journalist to own a radio station in the country, working with BBC World Service Trust (now BBC Media Action) as a Local Trainer, where she provided journalism training to radio stations in South-East Sierra Leone.
She was selected by BBC WST to cover the trials of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague, becoming the first African female journalist to report on the Charles Taylor trial. Her reports were broadcast across Africa through various radio stations, including United Nations (UN) Radio, Cotton Tree News, 98.1, Eastern Radio Kenema, and News Tabular.
Upon her return to Sierra Leone, Mariama served as an Assistant Producer for BBC Media Action's weekly radio show 'HAGUE LINK,' providing regular updates on the Charles Taylor trials.
She has received several awards for her outstanding journalism, including the 2011 Independent Media Commission (IMC) Best Female Reporter in Sierra Leone and the 2016 Student Award for Best Departmental Student in Adult Education (The Evangelical College Theology). Additionally, she was honored as the Best Radio Presenter by the Student Union of the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.
Speaking to this medium, Mariama Khai Fornah, the Chief Executive Officer of Hands of Hope Radio, expressed gratitude to ABCD Africa for recognizing her among the 100 Most Impactful Voices List 2024.
“This acknowledgment reflects the collective efforts of our team at Hands of Hope Radio 100.5 FM in amplifying the voices of women and fostering positive change in Sierra Leone,” she revealed.
Fornah emphasized that the radio’s vision is to inspire hope and enhance resilience in communities across Sierra Leone and beyond. The radio addresses various issues, including livelihood, gender, the environment, governance, legal matters, civics, culture, arts, and education, among others, in a balanced manner to achieve its vision.
She noted that since its establishment, they have been steadfast in driving toward fulfilling this vision.
