The Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL) have presented star prizes to winners of the just concluded AYV – EC-SL Cypher Uncensored and Hit the Street Elections Peace Shows.
Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said: “Our objective has always been to bring everybody to participate in the electoral process and getting the young people to bring their talent and encourage their young folks to participate in the electoral process was well demonstrated in these shows.
“For the fact that we were able to have a large turnout of voters on polling day, demonstrates that our cooperation with AYV yielded the needed objective that we set the partnership for. We are happy and we celebrate and congratulate the winners.
“The AYV – EC-SL Cypher Voter Education process was a success all the way and everything that is positive, needs to be developed to the next level. So, we have demonstrated the partnership and we have yielded the positive results, therefore, we will continue the partnership with the AYV so that we remain partners in the struggle to develop and upscale our democratic credential as a country.”
The two institutions joined forces to promote peace, particularly amongst young people, through rap music and street dance before and during the country’s June 2023 elections.
Chief Operating Officer of AYV, Messeh Leone said: “Taking a queue from the EC-SL Chairman, I agree that the AYV – EC-SL Cypher Voter Education partnership was a success. Seeing the winners talking about what the shows mean to them and how happy they are to be part of it, shows that it is something good that the AYV and EC-SL have demonstrated.
“This started with one man, Amb. Anthony Navo Jr., who believes in transforming young people and include them in national development. He has the passion to create the platform for young people to make their voices heard, which was why he created the Africa young Voices Media Empire.
“Engaging young people throughout the elections process and promoting peace is why we have a very peaceful election. The young people played an important role and going around the country preaching peace and engaging their peers to uphold peace, through rap lyrics and dance steps, is a demonstration that young people have a role in the society. We have to continue engaging and empowering young people and that is why AYV is created for.
“For AYV, our media role was very clear. We did not take sides, we did not support anyone, we only ensured the right thing be done. We gave all sides equal opportunities to be heard and this is why the European Union and the Independent Media Commission commended the AYV for professionally covering the June 24, 2023 elections.
“This is a proud moment for us at AYV and we are proud of our track records, which is why we pride ourselves as being the leading media voice across the country.”
The AYV Cypher and EC-SL teams travelled to different districts across the country for auditions, with the final held in Freetown and the winners announced.
Chief Executive Officer of the AYV, Amb. Anthony Navo Jr. and Former Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, now proposed Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh were among the special guests on at the grand finale on Thursday 22nd June, 2023, who inspired a young generation.
The winners were recognised and presented with prizes and certificates for their outstanding performances and immense contributions to the programme.
The EC-SL Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh and his team of Commissioners, alongside AYV Chief Operating Officer (COO), Messeh Leone and the AYV team, presented the winning prizes:
AYV Cypher Uncensored Winners:
Winner – Lamin AN Conteh, aka Tello
2nd position – Jushua K. Bockarie, aka OG Sweet
3rd position – Ishmael B Kamara, aka CG Mayboy
Hit The Street Winners:
Winner – Lumley Best
2nd position – RDC
3rd position – B2K.
Samuel Wise Bangura, a senior Journalist at AYV, Daniel Moore, AYV’s Marketing and Commercial Director and Momoh Kanneh – Director for Electoral Education at EC-SL presented the programme.
Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire is a leading media company providing cutting-edge communication solutions. AYV operates three television channels, radio, newspaper, and a printing press. AYV also broadcasts on DStv Channel 399 in Sierra Leone and across Africa.
AYV International is headquartered in London, United Kingdom with networks across the world including in Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific, the Americas, and Caribbean. AYV has established a strategic partnership with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the world service programme in London.
This partnership offers both AYV and the BBC a world – class broadcasting platform and resources for audiences across the world. More about: www.ayvnews.com
