By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 24th September, 2026 — All Works of Life (AWOL) has relaunched its National Achievement Awards, with the 2026 edition themed: “National Cohesion for Peace and Development,” scheduled for Sunday, December 27, at the Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.
The announcement, followed by the unveiling of the National Achievement Awards Committee (NAAC), was made on Thursday, September 24, during a press conference at the Roof Garden, behind Kallon Building in Aberdeen, Freetown.
Speaking at the event, AWOL National Chairman, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said the return of the awards formed part of the organisation’s broader effort to rebuild, reconnect and reposition AWOL for greater impact after a period away.
Discussing the establishment of the National Achievement Awards, Nasralla said that it was established to recognise individuals, businesses, institutions and organisations across different sectors, whose work contributes to society and national development.
He said the awards are intended to celebrate individuals’ achievement across all walks of life, including petty traders, teachers, health workers, police officers, soldiers, farmers, journalists, business executives, Members of Parliament, civil servants, ministers and organisations. “We believe that achievement does not belong to one class of people,” Nasralla said, stressing that the awards are intended to recognise service and contribution regardless of profession or social standing.
Chairman Nasralla also highlighted AWOL’s history of charitable interventions, stating that the organisation previously donated an X-ray machine and generator to Connaught Hospital and supported the cleaning and painting of the hospital’s X-ray department.
The AWOL chairman said the newly constituted National Achievement Awards Committee would play a key role in ensuring the credibility and integrity of the awards process.
The committee is chaired by Dr Fatu Taki, who is serving as chairperson for the second time. Taki urged members of the committee to remain level-headed and objective, stating that the awards process would come under pressure.
The committee includes representatives from the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, Anti-Corruption Commission, 50/50 Group, Budget Advocacy Network, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Sierra Leone Bar Association, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and National Youth Commission, as well as Historian Professor Joe A.D. Alie.
Also speaking at the launch, Yvonne Heroe, director of monitoring and evaluation at the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), spoke on the importance of peace and national cohesion in the context of the awards’ 2026 theme.
AWOL said the number of nominees eligible for this year’s awards has not yet been determined. The Chairman explained that previous editions allowed more than 30 nominations across different sectors, while the 2026 committee will determine the nomination process and categories.
Chairman Nasralla said this year’s awards would also commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Ambassador Moseray Fadika, a former chairman and godfather of AWOL, whose contribution he said, remains part of the organisation’s history.
Nasralla revealed that AWOL intends to make this year’s ceremony shorter and more streamlined than previous editions, with the organisation working with the awards committee to deliver an event that is relevant and meaningful.
He described the return of the National Achievement Awards as part of AWOL’s renewed commitment to recognising good work, giving back to society and contributing to national development.
