New Year Message from Dr. Alhaji K. Tarawally, the Founder and CEO of the LAKE Group of Companies.
My Fellow Sierra Leoneans and Creative Family,
As the clock strikes midnight from my residence here in Silicon Valley, California, bridging the distance to the dawn of a new year back home, I am filled with immense reflection and gratitude. On behalf of the Board, Executive Management, and the incredible team at the LAKE Group of Companies, I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2026.
For 15 years, the LAKE Group has been more than a business; it has been a labor of love. What began as a simple vision at the Fourah Bay College campus in 2009 has been built, brick by brick, into an empire of seven subsidiary companies. This journey has been my greatest teacher. We have navigated storms, faced betrayals, and endured setbacks that might have shattered others. Yet, we remain standing—stronger than before—because our belief in the power of our culture and our people is unshakable.
It has been said that “when LAKE sleeps, the entertainment industry sleeps.” 2025 was indeed a year of quiet preparation. But let it be known: rest is not an ending; it is fuel.
We are back.
In 2026, we are breathing new life into the industry we cherish. We are returning to the forefront to reclaim the energy and excellence you have missed. Prepare yourselves for a calendar of cultural resurgence:
▪️ October: The National Music Awards (NMA)
▪️ November: The Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant
▪️ December: The National Music Festival (NMF) & The National Entertainment Awards (NEA)
▪️ Upcoming: The iconic Miss Mano River International Beauty Pageant and much more.
To my team—my “ride-or-dies”—thank you for your loyalty. To Sierra Leone—thank you for being the heartbeat of our story. The best is truly yet to come.
Let’s get to work. Happy New Year, Sierra Leone!