By George M.O. Williams
Sierra Leone – December 16, 2025: Premier Media Group, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), and other stakeholders, have announced plans to host a national comedy competition aimed at celebrating creativity, promoting humour as a tool for social commentary, and strengthening Sierra Leone’s growing creative industry.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on Kingharman Road, Freetown.
Competition Details
The contest is open to Sierra Leonean stand-up comedians aged 18 and above. Applicants must complete an application form and pay a fee of NLe 100, with forms available at SLBC stations nationwide.
Prizes include:
- Winner: NLe 100,000
- First runner-up: NLe 30,000
- Second runner-up: NLe 20,000
Auditions will be held in all regional headquarters, with four qualifiers selected from each region. A total of 20 contestants will advance to elimination rounds, eventually narrowing down to six finalists who will compete in the grand finale.
Five live shows will be staged from the elimination rounds to the final, with venues to be announced later. Winners will be determined through a combination of judges’ scores and SMS voting across all mobile networks.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Judith C. Jones, described comedy as a “unifying force that brings people together through laughter and shared talent.” She emphasized that the competition would help refine comedic talent and pledged the Ministry’s support through public sensitization campaigns on social media.
SLBC Director General, Josephine Kamara, hailed the initiative as a strategic platform aligned with SLBC’s public service mandate. “Comedy allows us to laugh while reflecting on real issues in our society. Through this competition, we are creating space for both emerging and established talents to express themselves and contribute to national discourse,” she said.
Managing Director of Premier Media Group, Dr. Julius Spencer, explained that the idea was conceived earlier this year to highlight comedy’s national importance. He noted that auditions will run between February and March, with elimination stages broadcast live for maximum exposure.
“Comedy is not just entertainment; it is also a source of employment and revenue generation. This competition forms part of Premier Media Group’s contribution to the creative sector and our commitment to providing national platforms for local talents,” Dr. Spencer stated.
Organizers stressed that the competition will provide both up-and-coming and established comedians with national and potential international exposure, helping performers build professional profiles while contributing to Sierra Leone’s creative economy.
The initiative is expected to boost youth empowerment, cultural pride, and national identity, while spotlighting local comedic talent across the country.