Asmaa James

Asmaa James is an award-winning female radio broadcaster with over 17 years of broadcast experience in post-conflict Sierra Leone. Her passion and interests include upholding and promoting independent media platforms and creating safe spaces for diverse voices, positions and interests, with the aim of promoting an active citizenry, whilst strengthening democratic governance. She is currently Station Manager of Radio Democracy, an independent and civil society-owned radio station that promotes the ideals of open and transparent governance and contributes to universal access to information in Sierra Leone.

Asmaa is an anchor and producer of Sierra Leone’s famous radio talk show, Good Morning Sierra Leone, creating opportunities for diverse panellists, guests and citizens to discuss current affairs and issues ranging from human rights, security and justice, public finance management and natural resource management in the quest to strengthen democratic and good governance.

Asmaa is passionate about women and girls’ issues and founded the Asmaa James Foundation (AJF) to promote teenage sexual reproductive health and rights, with the objective of raising awareness, mobilising women and girls to advocate and influence policies of sexual health in Sierra Leone.

She is a Mandela Washington Fellow and is recognised as one of the 50 most influential women in Sierra Leone.