On 10th May 2025, The Heroes Media Group in Sierra Leone honoured Mr. Bai-Bai Sesay, a distinguished journalist and editor, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to media and national development at the Bintumani Hotel Conference Hall, Aberdeen, in Freetown.
The award highlights his decades of dedicated service, fearless reporting, and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism. This recognition not only celebrates his personal achievements but also reinforces the critical role of the press in shaping a more informed and accountable society.
Mr. Sesay is the current editor of the Independent Observer newspaper after serving as deputy editor from mid-2002 to 2008. From 2002 to 2008, he was responsible for the newspaper’s day-to-day administration, with many years of experience in the field of journalism both locally and internationally.
He joined the Independent Observer newspaper from the Eastern Post newspaper, a regional newspaper based in the eastern part of Sierra Leone. He was also former editor of the Expo Times online at www.expotimesonline.net.
Sesay is also working for international media outlets such as the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), based in Ghana, and is a former correspondent for the Internews Agency in the United States of America (USA).
He is a member of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and several international organizations, including the Society for Environmental Journalists based in the United States of America (USA) and the Center for International Media Ethics (CIME).
He holds a diploma from the London School of Journalism (LSJ) and attended several local and international training programs in almost all areas of journalism.
Sesay holds certificates in the Feature Writing Course in Johannesburg, South Africa; Reporting on Regional Integration in West Africa in Accra, Ghana; the Journalism Training Programme on HIV/AIDS in Toronto, Canada; Newspaper Management and Marketing in Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Revenue Management in June 2003 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Reporting the Environment in Freetown, Sierra Leone; Reporting Business in Freetown, Sierra Leone; General Sports Reporting in Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Election Courage Workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Sesay won several awards, including Best Development Journalism in 2009, Best Report on ICT in 2010, and 3rd prize in an essay competition for journalists in celebration of World Press Freedom Day in 2012 organized by the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone.
Some may find it difficult to believe that this locally and internationally acclaimed journalist who edits locally and internationally reputable newspapers was born in Lunsar town in the Port Loko district, northern Sierra Leone.
He attended the Sierra Leone Church Primary School in Lunsar Town, Schlenker Secondary School in Port Loko, and The Bo Government Secondary School (known as Bo School) in Bo City. He is married with five children—three boys and two girls.
