Honestly Speaking with Antonia Howard

Why Resource-Rich Countries Stay Poor | Governance, Power & Public Contracts in Sierra Leone 17.02.2026 59min

Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources — yet poverty remains part of the narrative. Why?In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard is joined by Andrew Lavali, a governance and public policy expert, for a deep conversation about how poverty is produced and maintained — not just through corruption, but through power, control, and public contracts.This episode examines the hidden layer of governance: who controls revenue, how large public contracts are structured, and why governments often derive little benefit from major infrastructure and resource projects.The conversation explores:Why governance reforms often look good on paper but fail in practiceHow bad public contracts drain state revenue across AfricaWho benefits when oversight is weakWhy changing governments doesn’t always change outcomesWhat real accountability would look like in resource-rich but cash-poor statesDrawing lessons from Sierra Leone and the wider African continent, this episode challenges familiar narratives about poverty and asks harder questions about economic power, elite influence, and institutional culture.This is a must-watch for anyone interested in: governance in Africa, public finance, political economy, development, accountability, and citizen power.#HonestlySpeaking #GovernanceInAfrica #SierraLeone #AfricanEconomy #PoliticalEconomy #PublicContracts #Accountability #DevelopmentDebate

What Kind of Sierra Leone Do We Want? 01.02.2026 1h 25min

In conversation with Zainab Bangura, one time presidential aspirant in Sierra Leone and now Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, we explore values, civic responsibility, and the shared role of leaders, institutions, and citizens in shaping Sierra Leone’s future.Grounded in love for country, the discussion reflects on where we are as a nation, what has gone wrong beyond politics alone, and why reclaiming values such as truth, integrity, accountability, unity, and courage is essential for national renewal.The episode also centres women’s dignity and considers how mindset, silence, and everyday choices influence peace, development, and progress.This is an invitation to honest self-examination, shared responsibility, and hope.Ultimately, it asks a question that belongs to all of us:What kind of Sierra Leone do we want to build?

Part 3 - January 18: What Does Remembrance Ask of Us Now? 22.01.2026 13min

In Part Three of this special Honestly Speaking series for National Remembrance Day, the focus turns to prevention — and responsibility.Often repeated, “never again” can sound like a slogan. In this episode, it is treated as a question: what must be done to ensure Sierra Leone never returns to the kind of brutal conflict that defined the civil war?Through reflections from survivors, historians, media practitioners, civic voices, and ordinary Sierra Leoneans, the episode examines unresolved grievances, the risks of forgetting, and the role of leadership, media, and civic education in sustaining peace.The conversation underscores a central truth: peace does not maintain itself. It requires honesty, vigilance, and collective responsibility.This final part brings the series to a close by asking what remembrance truly demands — now, and in the future.

Part 2 - January 18: What Does Remembrance Ask of Us Now? 22.01.2026 16min

This is Part Two of our special National Remembrance Day series.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard picks up a difficult but necessary question:How did a country like Sierra Leone descend into war just thirty years after independence?Building on conversations from Part One at the Peace Museum and the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, Part Two brings together voices who lived through the war, documented it as it unfolded, and tried to make sense of it in real time.Featuring reflections from:Hannah FullahDr. Julius SpencerProfessor Joe A. D. AlieThe episode interrogates the causes of the war — governance failures, inequality, youth marginalisation — and asks what happens when history is misunderstood, ignored, or passed on in fragments.

January 18: What Does Remembrance Ask of Us? 19.01.2026 17min

January 18 is National Remembrance Day in Sierra Leone.But what does remembrance really ask of us?In Part 1 of this special Honestly Speaking series, journalist and creative storyteller Antonia Howard begins a journey into memory, accountability, and unfinished questions from Sierra Leone’s civil war.This episode starts at the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Peace Museum — places where truth was documented, responsibility examined, and history preserved. Through conversations with Joseph Kaifala and Marie Bob Kandeh, we explore why remembrance was one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s key recommendations, and why memory matters beyond ceremonies and speeches.Part 1 sets the foundation for deeper conversations to come: about survivors, justice, youth, leadership, and the risk of forgetting.🎧 This episode is presented in parts.Part 2 continues the conversation with survivors, historians, media voices, and ordinary Sierra Leoneans reflecting on what was lost — and what must never be repeated.🕯️ Honestly Speaking is a podcast about honest conversations on the issues shaping our lives.Music Credits:Parade of Champions - Soundstripe LLCCourtesy of Wondershare Filmora, used with permission

Who Are We Without Our Stories? 11.01.2026 1h 7min

Across Africa, storytelling was how knowledge moved. It shaped values, preserved history, and held communities together.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Usifu Jalloh, widely known as The Cowfoot Prince — a storyteller, cultural practitioner, and educator who has dedicated his life to preserving Sierra Leone’s oral traditions and reintroducing them to new generations, both at home and abroad.Through festivals, performance, and education, Usifu reflects on the responsibility of storytelling, the challenges of preserving culture in a rapidly changing world, and what happens when a nation forgets its stories — and what becomes possible when it remembers.This is a conversation about identity, heritage, and purpose.It asks every listener to reflect honestly:What are we here to live for?What are we willing to fight for, defend, and protect?And what role can culture play in helping Sierra Leoneans solve local problems?

How Do You Build a Global Brand Without Diluting Culture? 04.01.2026 42min

In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Foday Dumbuya, founder and creative director of LABRUM London, for a thoughtful conversation about fashion as cultural storytelling, identity and power.Through LABRUM’s work, from references to African history and diasporic memory, to global collaborations with institutions like Adidas and Arsenal FC — the conversation explores what it means to build a globally respected brand without diluting meaning for acceptance or profit.This episode speaks to creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners across Africa, the diaspora, and beyond — especially those interested in how African stories are told, valued, and protected on global stages.

Carrying Culture Forward: What Does It Take to Rewrite Tradition? 29.12.2025 38min

Culture is often treated as something fixed. But culture is also lived — and sometimes changed by those bold enough to step into it differently.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard speaks with Lala Bayani Sidibe — kora performer, girls’ advocate, and Miss Sierra Leone finalist — about identity, heritage, and women occupying spaces once closed to them.From performing the kora to leading The Empowered Girls Advocacy and navigating national visibility through pageantry, Lala reflects on what it means to carry culture forward without being limited by it.

How Do We Protect the Rights of Women & Girls While Honouring Culture? 21.12.2025 1h 1min

Culture is often defended as “the way things have always been done.” But what happens when tradition causes harm?In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with feminist activist Josephine Kamara to confront the reality of Female Genital Cutting/Circumcision/Mutilation in Sierra Leone.No shouting. No finger-pointing.Just a conversation many avoid.

Can Sierra Leone Build a Culture of Quality in Music Entertainment? 12.12.2025 55min

For over a decade, Joseph “Nashito Kulala” Koroma has been a quiet force behind some of Sierra Leone’s most defining sounds. In an industry shaped by limited resources, inconsistent standards, and a culture of “that’s good enough,” Nashito has built a reputation for insisting on excellence — often at personal cost, but always in service of the craft.This episode of Honestly Speaking looks beyond talent and passion to examine the real drivers of quality: mindset, systems, training, and infrastructure. Through Nashito’s journey as a sound engineer, producer, and creative mentor, we unpack why quality is so difficult to sustain in Sierra Leone’s creative industry — and what must change for it to compete globally without losing its authenticity.👉 Watch more episodes of Honestly Speaking:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls0-j4j9wLE&list=PLynH0NnR7JI3eyo_2BI_t9zh2rLadqek6&pp=gAQB]👉 Subscribe for honest conversations on culture, governance & creativity:[www.youtube.com/@honestlyspeaking_sl]👉 Follow Antonia Howard:Instagram: [@antoniahowardsl]👉 Follow Nashito Kulala:Instagram: [@kulala_beatz]

What is the Role of Theatre and Arts in a Nation's Story? 08.12.2025 1h 24min

In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with legendary playwright, cultural curator, and founder of the Freetong Players, Charlie Haffner, for a deep, unfiltered conversation on art, power, and national identity.We explore:– How artists function as watchdogs, just like journalists– Why creative expression is a form of civic accountability– The role of theatre in documenting culture, challenging authority, and inspiring collective memory– How artistic communities can act as a pressure group to propel governments to do better– The future of theatre in Sierra Leone: training, infrastructure, and policy– Reflections on Atunda Ayenda and preserving artistic legacyHaffner brings decades of creative leadership and national cultural work to the table, offering insights that are provocative, timely, and deeply rooted in Sierra Leone’s story.👉 If you value art, truth, and nation-building, this episode is for you.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, comment, and share your thoughts on the role of art in shaping our collective future.#HonestlySpeakingSL #AntoniaHoward #CharlieHaffner #SierraLeone #Theatre #ArtsAndCulture #NationBuilding #Accountability #AtundaAyenda #FreetongPlayers #ArtAndPower

Honestly Speaking Live — Truth, Progress & the Power of Conversation 17.11.2025 1h 1min

Thirty conversations later, Honestly Speaking stepped out of the studio and into a live room full of truth-tellers, dreamers, and changemakers. 🎉Hosted by Antonia Howard, this milestone 30th-episode celebration brought together some of Sierra Leone’s most compelling voices for an evening of laughter, reflection, and honest dialogue.The live panel — featuring Naasu Fofanah and Ibrahim “Beloz” Bangura — explored what honesty really looks like in a country still striving for progress. From the tension between truth and patriotism to the role of creativity and leadership in building a better Sierra Leone, this episode asks the questions many avoid — and reminds us that honesty is not unpatriotic, it is love.Recorded live at Creative Hub Africa, this episode captures the energy, emotion, and connection of Honestly Speaking Live — a celebration of thirty conversations, countless truths, and the belief that progress begins with the courage to speak up.#HonestlySpeaking

How Do We Build a Better Sierra Leone Without Burning Out? 10.11.2025 53min

Everyone wants change, but what happens when the people trying to fix Sierra Leone are running on empty?In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Ibrahim Yusuf (Beloz) Bangura to unpack the emotional weight of being a young Sierra Leonean today. They explore the tension between ambition and exhaustion, purpose and pressure, and what it means to care deeply about a country that can be so hard to live in.From burnout and mental health to the burden of national responsibility, this conversation asks how Sierra Leone’s millennials can keep showing up, keep believing, and keep building, without losing themselves in the process.#honestlyspeaking

Beauty, Risk & Reality: What Should We Know About Cosmetic Procedures? 03.11.2025 59min

From “glow injections” and IV drips to lip fillers and body sculpting, Sierra Leone’s beauty industry is evolving fast — but not always safely. As more people turn to quick fixes and unverified beauty treatments, the risks are becoming impossible to ignore.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Dr. Ese Thomas-Macauley, Founder and CEO of Footprints Sierra Leone to discuss the truth behind the booming cosmetic industry. They explore the rise of unlicensed clinics, the growing popularity of aesthetic and cosmetic procedures, and the health dangers without proper care or regulation. Dr. Ese breaks down what’s really inside IV drips and “glow” products, how to identify safe medical practice, and why ethical, science-based care is crucial for Sierra Leone’s future.

What Is Fueling Youth Addiction & How Do We Stop It? 27.10.2025 51min

Drug dependency among young people in Sierra Leone is alarming and “Kush” has become a dangerous escape for those caught between pressure and hopelessness. But beneath the crisis is a deeper story about mental health, limited opportunity, and a generation trying to survive.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Dr. Abdul Jalloh, Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Mental Health and Noncommunicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, to unpack Sierra Leone’s addiction crisis.What is fueling youth addiction and what will it take to stop it?Together, they unpack the psychology of addiction, and the solutions needed to build a future where coping doesn’t mean self-destruction.#HonestlySpeakingwithAntoniaHoward #Kush #SierraLeone #HonestlySpeakingSL

Can Journalism Rebuild Trust and Hold Power Accountable in Sierra Leone? 20.10.2025 47min

In Sierra Leone, the role of the journalist has never been more complex or more necessary. The fight for truth is happening in an environment where access to information is limited, resources are shrinking, and public trust in the media is fading.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, journalist and host Antonia Howard sits down with her longtime colleague Lamrana Bah, one of Sierra Leone’s most respected investigative reporters, to reflect on the state of journalism today. Together, they explore the pressures of reporting truth in a polarized society, the economics of media survival, and what happens when truth itself becomes negotiable.Can journalism still hold power accountable? And can it help rebuild the public trust that keeps democracy alive?This episode is a real conversation between two journalists who’ve lived the struggle, and still believe in the work.

Can Sierra Leone Redefine Leadership for the Next Generation? 13.10.2025 1h 39min

Leadership in Sierra Leone is often discussed through titles, politics, and power, but what if true leadership has less to do with authority and more to do with values, competence, and followership?In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Dr. Modupe Taylor-Pearce, leadership expert and founder of the Africa Leadership Group, to explore what it means to lead with integrity and purpose in today’s Sierra Leone. Together, they unpack the crisis of followership, the culture of dependency, and how young people can develop the mindset and discipline required to lead effectively.What kind of leaders do we need to build the Sierra Leone we imagine? And what will it take to redefine leadership for a new generation?

How Do We Rebrand Farming for the Next Generation? 06.10.2025 44min

For years, farming in Sierra Leone has been seen as a last resort — something for survival, not success. But what if agriculture could be reimagined as innovation, opportunity, and national pride?In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Lachaeveh Alberta Caizarine Davies, Miss Sierra Leone 2025 and Miss World Top 8 finalist, to discuss how her Dynamo Project (“Feeding Dreams, Rebranding Farming”) is challenging outdated views of agriculture. From tackling hunger and youth unemployment to redefining sustainability, Lachaeveh shares her vision for a future where farming is not only smart and modern but also a key driver of Sierra Leone’s development.This is a conversation about purpose, mindset, and the power of young people to redefine what progress looks like.

Why Does Sexuality Education Matter for Sierra Leone’s Future? 29.09.2025 50min

In Sierra Leone, conversations about sex and sexuality remain taboo. In our homes, schools, communities, and even in policy, sexual and reproductive health is rarely named or discussed openly. But this silence comes at a heavy cost: high rates of teenage pregnancy, preventable infections, unsafe terminations, and futures cut short before they begin.In this episode of Honestly Speaking, Antonia Howard sits down with Leanne Mahota Rizk, Country Director at the Mama-Pikin Foundation, to explore why sexual health must be at the center of Sierra Leone’s development. Together, they unpack the stigma, myths, and cultural barriers that shape how young people learn about their bodies, the gaps in our education and health systems, and what it would take to build a future where every young Sierra Leonean has the knowledge, access, and dignity they deserve.

Can Sierra Leone Build a Future Without Protecting Its Environment? (Part 2) 22.09.2025 38min

In Part 1, we celebrated Sierra Leone’s UNESCO recognition of Tiwai Island and the Gola Rainforest with environmentalist Tommy Garnett.In Part 2, host Antonia Howard speaks with Bala Amarasekaran, founder of the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, about what it truly takes to build a culture of conservation. From rethinking mindsets to linking eco-tourism, education, and national pride, Bala shares why protecting nature is not a side issue but central to Sierra Leone’s future, even as Tacugama itself faces challenges that show just how fragile conservation gains remain.