Hi, I’m Sallu Kamuskay from Sierra Leone
a Blogger. Youth Organizer. Storyteller

The Power of Technology: Meeting DCN Global’s Communications Director, Marianna Tanagia, in Zambia.

The featured image used in this blog, featuring Marianna Tanagia and me, was taken at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Zambia after the first day of the DCN Africa Launch. Marianna Tanagia serves as the Communications Director at DCN Global.

Upon my arrival a few months ago from a trip to Zambia for the DCN Africa launch, I made a commitment to write blogs sharing my experiences about all the amazing people I have met while in Zambia. A few weeks later, I wrote about several individuals, including Cameron Evers, a Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Emergent Risk International (ERI) from the USA; Gifty Tracy Aminu, a journalist from Ghana; and Dimitris Dimitriadis, a renowned Greek keynote speaker, futurist, and expert in designing companies for the future, Rehobot Ayalew, renowned Fact-Checker from Ethiopia and Judith Ogutu, a seasoned Kenyan strategic communications professional

The truth is, every day of my life involves checking my emails and messages on social media. I receive tons of emails and messages from people I know, as well as from those I do not know—some of whom turn out to be scammers. As a friend once told me, “Technology and social media have exposed us to more dangers than they have brought us together.” While I agree with her assessment, I also recognize that technology and social media offer us choices. It’s akin to navigating between heaven and hell—the decision is always ours to make. Fortunately, there are plenty of guides and materials available online that can help us verify information before clicking on links, signing up for platforms, or making payments using our cards. Technology and social media are all about possibilities, and that’s something I’ve always believed in.

On September 12, 2023, I received an email from Marianna Tanagia, the Communications Director at DCN Global, extending an invitation to participate in the launch of DCN Africa in Zambia. Her email stated, “I’m writing to invite you to speak and/or run a workshop at our upcoming event entitled ‘Harnessing the Digital Revolution: Fostering Resilience and Development’ in Lusaka, Zambia, on November 7-9, 2023.” Initially, I hesitated, wondering if it might be a scam. However, my gut feeling urged me to express interest and explore further. Simultaneously, I conducted background checks on DCN Global.

Interestingly, this wasn’t my first encounter with DCN Global. Back on May 12, 2021, I participated as a guest in an online interview discussing “Citizen Journalism in Africa”, alongside renowned journalists from Kenya and the Zimbabwe Democratic Republic of Congo. During that engaging conversation, we explored how African citizens could contribute to raising awareness. My involvement in that interview was facilitated by a friend—the Co-founder and Communications Director at Mobile Journalism Africa.

Given the numerous online publications and their successful launches in Asia, America, and other parts of the world, I felt confident about engaging further with DCN Global to arrange my travel.

However, due to the considerable distance I needed to cover—from Sierra Leone to Zambia (a flight lasting over 20 hours)—I had to be among the first speakers to depart. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control caused me to be part of the last batch of arrivals. The Asky Airlines flight from Sierra Leone, which was supposed to connect me to Emirates via Ghana to Dubai, encountered delays due to technical issues, resulting in a late departure.

Marianna Tanagia and the rest of the team were with me every step of the way—concerned, checking on me, and making sure that another booking would be arranged. They remained by my side until I arrived in Zambia.

Upon reaching Zambia, a car picked me up from the airport and took me to the Radisson Blu hotel. There, I had the pleasure of meeting Marianna Tanagia, the Communications Director for DCN Africa. My presence in Zambia for the launch of DCN Africa was largely due to her exceptional work.

Maria-Anna Tanagia is a journalist, working as a communication and content specialist as well as head of communication for the last 20 years. She holds a degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Journalism and New Media from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. As part of her master’s thesis, she created the online magazine “Publishit”, inspired by citizen journalism, which was awarded by Regional Media Greece (Bronze Award “Best Column”, 2017). She is the Communications Director of the Digital Communication Network Global, a vibrant community of digital professionals and emerging leaders from around the world dedicated to addressing the challenges to democracy through innovative solutions.
She also works as an adult educator and facilitator of journalism and social media workshops (with a focus on digital campaigns for social good). She was included in the list of 50 young (under forty) disruptors of Northern Greece.

After checking in at the hotel, there was already a session going on at the hall. I rushed to the hall and as I entered, I could see beautiful faces seated.  People from over 40 countries, 25 of which are African countries represented at the event.

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5 ways to make money online in Sierra Leone

In this article, I have put together five ways you can use to make money in Sierra Leone online. I’ll share five proven methods that I have used and that you can use to make money online. Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business, these methods can help you achieve your financial goals. From freelancing to blogging, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money online in Sierra Leone. So, let’s dive in and explore the possibilities

1. Become an Influencer: You can become a social media influencer by building a healthy following within a specific industry on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Once you have a community, you can make money by charging for sponsored posts, selling your photos, adding affiliate links in your bio, creating your own online store, or even appearing at events
2. Start a YouTube Channel: You can create a YouTube channel for almost anything, from reviewing products and teaching to pranking and streaming video games. Once you figure out your niche, create your channel and your first video. Observe how people respond to it and create more appealing videos for your target audience. You should dedicate some extra time to building your social media presence to attract enough subscribers to apply for monetization.
3. Sell Products online

Afrikonet eCommerce is a leading platform and application in Sierra Leone that facilitates the buying and selling of products and services online. You can use this platform to sell your products online and make money. To get started, create an account on the Afrikonet website http://afrikonet.sl Once you have an account, you can list your products, set your prices, and start selling. Payment to buy products on Afrikonet can be done throug card, orange or Afrimoney Afrikonet also offers drone services, ICT services, and renewable energy solutions

1. Blogging: Blogging is an act of posting content on the blog. You need some time to create a blog and make a very good sum of money. You want a bit of investment (domain cost and website hosting cost) to create and maintain a blog 2.
2. Freelancing: You can offer your services as a freelancer on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. You can offer services like writing, graphic design, web development, and more. You can set your own rates and work on projects that interest you

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Konson Grow Green founder seeks to achieve Feed Salone initiative through Revolutionary Agriculture.

Jonathan Konson Sesay is a revolutionary agricultural entrepreneur, advocate, and also a drop out ( year 3) student from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) in Business Administration. He is the founder of Konson Grow Green, a new agricultural system registered with the Government of Sierra Leone and City Council. I will tell you more about it in a bit.

It was in 2014, during the Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone, that I first came in contact with Jonathan Konson Sesay. Like me, he had also joined the United Sierra Leone Never Again Ebola campaign to raise awareness on the Ebola pandemic and support those we can through the United Sierra Leone and Messeh Leone Foundation Trust.

Jonathan Konson Sesay was a child and youth advocate during the Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone. Thousands of young people had put their efforts, time, and resources into raising awareness against the deadly Ebola virus that took the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.

It was during those times that I first came in contact with activist Jonathan Konson Sesay, now a Revolution Agriculture Entrepreneur and owner of the Konson Grow Green. I am a great fan of nature, a nature enthusiast. I feel fulfilled when I find myself around trees, sounds of the birds, and the tranquility it gives me whenever I am around nature perfects my every second on planet earth.

Three years after Sierra Leone was declared Ebola-free, in 2017, Jonathan Konson Sesay enrolled for training on new revolution agriculture organised by Joshua Hacking during the then-Professor Monty Jones era as Minister of Agriculture that lasted for one year six months. This program shifted Jonathan Konson Sesay from advocacy to entrepreneurship.

While in college, in his third year, Jonathan Konson Sesay had the plan like many young people to travel abroad through Temple Run for greener pasture, but also realized that he could use that money to start a small business, the Green House Nursing Centre at Rokel, which could eventually pave the way for him to start the Konson Grow Green, a revolutionary way of practicing Agriculture in Sierra Leone.

In three years, Jonathan Konson Sesay has secured a nursing house in Rokel Freetown, a plantation garden in Bo, Manor Junction, Rice Mail Center in Kenema, and more. Jonathan Konson Sesay is engaged in modern-day agriculture, currently growing different types of varieties, including mango, orange, lemon, grapefruit, kola, pawpaw, 3-year coconut, Ghana cocoa, butter pear, cashew nut, guava, soursop, oil palm, chuck chunk plump, plantain, banana, flowers, Krio apple, Moringa, Tombi, and more.

Jonathan Konson Sesay sells, supervises, and plants these varieties for big and small businesses in Sierra Leone, attracting hundreds of individuals interested in these varieties.

In an interview with me, Jonathan Konson Sesay disclosed that he is looking for investors to be able to do more. He noted his frustration with Sierra Leone Government not having any plantation gardens of their own. Jonathan Konson Sesay mentioned that he will be able to provide plantation gardens in all sixteen districts if given the needed support of President Bio’s Feed Salone initiative, ensuring that Sierra Leoneans have sufficient food.

Konson Grow Green seeks to achieve Feed Salone initiative through Revolutionary Agriculture.

contact him here

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