By Hajaratu Kalokoh
A Sierra Leonean based innovation company, Light Salone, has launched an antennae that can tune in all four local television stations in the country. The innovation which has been name “Lili Antenna”, is the first of its kind to be made in the country by Sierra Leoneans.
The product was launched last week at the Africell American Corner in Freetown.
The antenna has the capacity to tune in and provide clear pictures for all local TV stations – AYV, SLBC, Star TV and Freetown Television. The antenna has been configured to work with a 12-yard cable. Officials of Light Salone said the antenna is cheaper and provides better picture compared to imported antennas.
Chief Executive Officer of Light Salone, Mohammed Kamara, told Politico that he had a “grand vision” for innovation in Sierra Leone.
“Innovation has been in existence, but people are not changing the normal ways of doing innovation. We want to change (this). Instead of keeping them in the lab, we have to take innovation to the public so people can actually use it,” he said.
Kamara added: “the vision I have for innovation in Sierra Leone is that all young people can give their best (in innovation) so that they can actually make their own product and everybody can benefit from it…”
Television reception is a challenge for most people living in hilly landscapes in Sierra Leone. Even those who live on flat land have also sometimes complained about the quality of reception.
Chernor Kamara, a resident in the East End of Freetown, shares his experience with Politico:
“AYV entertainment channel is a mess, too much of irritating noise when watching football. I am yet to have it (Lili Antennae). [I] hope it will remedy the situation of bad signal,” he said.
The cost of imported antennas range from as low as Le150, 000 to as high as Le250, 000. Kamara said they would sell their own antenna for just Le50,000.
Light Salone is an indigenous company that is working to provide sustainable solution for electricity in rural and remote communities across the country. The company is currently working in Freetown and four districts across the country.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Samuel Nonie, who officially launched the product, noted at the ceremony that innovation was tough but that the producers Lili Antennae had proven beyond reasonable doubt that their ideas can be useful.
“If innovation were easy there will not be innovation because everybody will be doing it. There is always something that you don’t know about which is on paper describing an item and you read it and think this is very easy, let me go in for it; only to realize that there is something that was not quiet explained (in what you read),” he said
Nonie encouraged the company not to be discouraged by negative comments.
“Both negative and positive comments are meant for you to improve. This may not work for everyone; it may not even work for you. You have to make sure that you keep working on it and I am sure you will pick up any challenge (in relation to the Lili Antennae),” Nonie added.
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