Talking Drum Studio - Sierra Leone (TDS-SL) Since 2000, we have worked in Sierra Leone, producing quality and balanced media programs, reaching millions of Sierra Leoneans. Through our long-standing presence in the media landscape; we have established an array of successful partnerships with 27 local radio stations and hundreds of media professionals. These partnerships allow us to create programs that are sensitive and contextually appropriate while promoting local ownership and sustainability. In addition to our innovative radio and television programmes, we create safe spaces for inclusive dialogue through interactive town hall meetings, participatory community theatre, and mobile cinema screenings. All of these are possible through our studio “Talking Drum Studio”.

Bush Wahala

Bush Wahala is a radio drama series that promotes popular education to land rights with specific reference to land grabbing by “Agribusiness”. Goal: Strengthening the capacity of communities to negotiate fair land deals without violent confrontation, raising awareness in rural communities of their rights so that they can make informed decisions and Bringing the ongoing conflicts over existing land investment to public attention and thereby supporting the actions of rural communities in ensuring fair land deals.

Golden Kids News

TDS-SL has developed a children's news program called Golden Kids News. This is a news and issues program that is partially developed, reported, and produced by children. It is truly a show for kids by kids.

Common Ground Feature

This is a news series in a magazine style featuring stories depicting interests and issues that are shared by conflicting groups. TDS-SL staff conduct interviews on a wide-range of topics, recording opinions from the different groups involved in order to clarify positions and assist in the process of peace building, reconciliation, and reconstruction. This series has a signature tune written and sung by Jimmy B, who is very popular and has become closely identified with the show. This series creates a public forum where issues can be delved into that normally would not be. This show airs twice a week for thirty minutes on eighteen stations.

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home is a program focused on targeting information for returnees and refugees. This program is formatted in a soap-opera style, with information intertwined with the dialogue to provide not only an entertaining drama, but also a series that informs and educates refugees about the issues they must face and overcome in returning home.

Atunda Ayenda / Lost and Found

TDS-SL launched Atunda Ayenda in December 2001, and it has grown to be the studio's most popular program. This serial drama is divided into a number of phases, with appropriate storylines for each stage that match the current environment in Sierra Leone. After first addressing the disarmament and demobilization process, the programme later focused on the reintegration of ex-combatants, and now has shifted attention to democratisation and good governance.

Wi Yone Salone

This program aims to provide information about current issues affecting Sierra Leoneans. The first twelve episodes featured material on the various districts of Sierra Leone, what was happening there before, during, and after the war in terms of livelihoods, economic activities, health, education, governance etc. TDS-SL has now moved to a format of addressing large issues in multi-part series, covering topics ranging from the state of education to conflict diamonds.

Salone Uman

This program is about key issues affecting women in post conflict Sierra Leone. In collaboration with local human rights groups issues that affect the status of women and require exposure and reflection are identified. SFCG's production team then collects actualities from women around Sierra Leone vis-a-vis the issue identified. Two fifteen-minute programs highlighting the predicament of women are produced per week and air on twelve stations.

Leh Wi Mek Salone (formerly Troway Di Gun)

As disarmament has completed and peace is solidifying, TDS-SL has adjusted its program targeting ex-combatants. It now focuses on current issues facing this volatile population. The program is co-hosted by two ex-combatants, namely a retired colonel of the RUF and a senior trainer of the Civil Defence Forces.

Luk wi Pipul

Luk wi Pipul provides news and information geared towards the needs of the Sierra Leonean refugees presently residing in Liberia and Guinea. Thirty-minute episodes are aired every weekday morning by one station.