After the successful introduction of the Salone Social Media Awards in 2018 at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown, the organizers have decided to expand the scope of the awards beyond Sierra Leone. The upcoming West Africa Social Media Awards will be held in Holland on May 11th and will be livestreamed on a dedicated website.
Murtala Mohamed Kamara, the founder of the Salone Social Media Awards, highlighted that social media knows no boundaries. It was decided to collaborate with Love Inspiration Movement, Explore Sierra Leone, and Bo-Dalaba Designs to hold the awards globally. This year’s edition will take place at the Skienpartycentrum, vijfkamplaan in Holland on May 11. The venue is already secured and anticipation is building across Europe.
The event aims to acknowledge Sierra Leoneans and other West Africans for their positive utilization of social media. Special recognition categories will be included for individuals and institutions making beneficial use of social media in the region. While competition within Sierra Leone categories will be fierce, the West African segment will focus on special acknowledgements.
In an era where over 800,000 Sierra Leoneans engage in social media, the platform is a double-edged sword being wielded for both positive and negative purposes. Governments globally grapple with the challenge of regulating social media while respecting freedom of expression. In this context, SaloneJamboree advocates for recognition of over-regulation as a means to foster positive engagement on social media.
The awards event seeks to inspire and motivate individuals, groups, and institutions to leverage social media for constructive purposes, thereby reaping its benefits. Twelve categories have been selected based on the impact and activities of nominees across various social media platforms.
The WASMA encompasses recognition across WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Limey. Nominations for the awards are open to all, with candidates expected to meet specific criteria within their nominated category. Winners will be determined by fan votes under the guidance of an independent and reputable committee.
The awards night promises a spectacular celebration with performances from popular comedy, movie, and music stars. The WASMA guarantees a transparent judging process and a rewarding system that ensures all nominees receive recognition.
Categories for the awards include Best Philanthropy, Most Inspiring Personality, Best Health Advocate, Most Creative Comedian, Most Engaging Politician on Social Media, Best WhatsApp Group, Best Musician, Best Movie Personality, Best Entrepreneur, Best Customer Care, Best Educator, and Best Media House.
To submit a nomination, send the full name of the nominee, chosen category, and social media links via email to info@wasmawards.com or via SMS to +232 99-735865.
