Speaking Truth in a Tough Place: The Journey of Amadu Lamrana Bah

Morning devotion is no longer just for school assemblies or worship, it’s the name of a sizzling new talk show led by journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah, 39.

Every weekday, Bah wakes up at 4:00 AM, two hours before he goes on air as the anchor of “Truth Morning Devotion” on 103.9 with an accompanying podcast-like livestream on Facebook.

Bah is one of Sierra Leone’s most respected multimedia journalists, but at Truth Media 103.9, he’s not just an anchor; he’s co-owner.

Over the past fifteen years, Bah has honed his reporting and interview skills across radio, TV, and print. Now, it’s about speaking truth to power.

Before he was a media stalwart, he was just another kid growing up in a Sierra Leonean home filled with newspapers and the sound of radio broadcasts. His father, Mohamed Njula Bah loved the news. Pa Bah never missed Focus on Africa or SLBC’s morning programs. The voices of broadcasters Haja Kaday Johnson and Daniel Moseray were a daily part of life. They piqued his curiosity. 

“I grew up suspicious,” he says. “I always wanted to know things.”

By the time he got to secondary school, he already knew what he wanted to be, a journalist.

Pa Bah had other plans. He hoped Lamrana would  choose the commercial stream instead, to find a path to a stable job like banking. But Lamrana insisted. But how do you become a journalist in Sierra Leone?

A Career Shaped by Mentors, Integrity, and Hard Lessons

Long before he would make a name for himself as a sports and local news reporter, he was still a little unsure trying to find his voice. That journey led him to one person, Vickie Remoe, who unknowingly changed the direction of his career in 2013.

“Vickie gave me my first camera for free,” he said. “She believed in me before I believed in myself.”

He would go on to string stories for Remoe’s news blog Swit Salone, sending stories to her by email. Those early days shaped him, working with people like Jimmy Yayah Barrie and Hajara Buma, teammates who pushed him, challenged him, and helped him polish his skills.

From there, he joined Media One Center, then freelanced for a while, until he got a job at Africa Young Voices Media (AYV)in December 2018. He held various roles at AYV including Digital Media Manager and Director of News and Current Affairs. He became one of the leading voices of “The Hot Seat” show, AYV’s main public affairs discussion program.

Along the way, Bah said he had the guidance of mentors like Umaru Fofana and Ahmed Sahid Nasralla. One thing that he returns to is what Umaru Fofana told him early in his career. 

“Umaru told me, ‘If you want money, do something else. Journalism will give you credibility, not wealth.’ I took that seriously,” Bah said.

Amadu Lamrana Bah in his office

The Cost of Speaking Out

While his career has flourished, it has its risks.

“My family has been harassed; someone even went to my home and insulted my mother,” Bah said.

His attackers are often supporters of political parties APC and government officials. 

“I have faced physical abuse, online abuse, threats, all of it. I once went to report a case to the police, but because it involved people close to the President, they refused to take my statement.”

Another time airport officials tore his luggage apart because he questioned flight delays involving Leone Stars. While these experiences take a toll, Bah is committed.

“These experiences do not intimidate me; they strengthen me,” he said.

What keeps him going? Citizens! 

“I meet people on the street who thank me for what I do. Older people hold my hand and say, “Thank you for standing up for us,” Bah said.

Amadu Lamrana Bah ( R ) and a guest on his Truth Morning Devotion show

From Journalist to Founder – Starting Truth Media 

After spending years in mainstream media, Bah said he needed a space where he could work on his own terms,  free from political influence, and the pressure to soften the truth. That desire led him to co-found Truth Media in early 2025, a platform he shaped to be both traditional and digital, serious yet accessible.

At its core, Truth Media is striving for independence, honesty, and ethical journalism. Bah wants his platform to be a voice for the people, hold leaders accountable, and challenge others to rise by setting high standards.

“I want a society where people can speak truth to power without fear,” he says. “The media is not the enemy of the state. No government can succeed without an independent media.”

Cross section of Truth Media office

Beyond building a platform for journalism, Bah has created opportunities for young people. Truth Media has a staff of 35, this includes employed reporters, camera operators, and digital editors. 

Bah is also pushing for more collaboration in Sierra Leone’s media landscape. He visits different newsrooms, works with other journalists, and pushes joint investigations and public-interest reporting.

He believes collaboration is the key to rebuilding public trust, which he admits has declined over the years. 

“Technology has changed media everywhere, but newspapers, radio, and TV still survive. We must innovate, not give up,” he said.

He dreams of a future where Truth Media becomes a trusted home for factual reporting and open public conversation. He wants citizens, not politicians, to be at the center of everything the media produces. In his vision, Truth Media is not just another newsroom. It’s a place where young reporters learn and serve the country with honesty.

Amadu Lamrana Bah

Advice to Upcoming Journalists

To young journalists, Bah offers the same advice that guided him. 

“The money and opportunities will come. But integrity comes first,” he said. “Don’t chase quick money; credibility is the true currency in journalism.”

Above all, he encourages new journalists to approach the profession with a sense of service, using their voice and skills to contribute meaningfully to their country.

Bah has come a long way from those early years when he was a shy sports reporter. He has built a reputation on integrity and public service media. Bah starts each day with the same reflection: “What is my contribution to this country today?”

The answer is on air daily on Truth Media.