GUMA MD HONOURED WITH PRESTIGIOUS LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC), Ing. Mariwan Kallon, has received yet another prestigious recognition for his exemplary leadership and contributions to public service, further cementing his reputation as one of Sierra Leone’s most impactful public sector leaders. On Friday, 29th May 2026, Ing. Kallon was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the African Global Stars Awards, organised by the Diaspora Focus, during a grand ceremony held at the Bintumani Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown. The recognition comes barely a month after he received the Public Service Leadership Award at the African Ovation Awards 2026, organised by African Ovation Media Ltd, in acknowledgement of his dedication to public service, institutional transformation, and efforts to improve water service delivery in Sierra Leone.

The latest award recognises Ing. Kallon’s leadership in driving reforms and institutional transformation at Guma Valley Water Company since his appointment as Managing Director in November 2025. Under his stewardship, the Company has implemented an ambitious reform agenda focused on strengthening financial management, improving operational efficiency, enhancing staff welfare, promoting accountability, and positioning GVWC as a modern, customer-focused, and financially sustainable utility.

Notable achievements include improved revenue collection, stronger financial discipline, the timely payment of salaries, enhanced accountability systems, improved water quality management, reduced non-revenue water, and strengthened institutional controls. These initiatives form part of the Company’s comprehensive One-Year Reform Plan for 2026, designed to transform GVWC into a resilient and high-performing public utility capable of delivering improved services to the people of the Western Area.

In his acceptance speech, Ing. Kallon expressed gratitude to the organizers and dedicated the award to the entire Guma Valley Water Company family. “Thank you very much to the organizers of this programme for this recognition. I also wish to thank His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for giving me the opportunity to serve.

This award would not have been possible without the support of the entire Guma Valley Water Company family. This recognition is the result of the collective efforts of all of us at Guma Valley Water Company; from the Board of Directors and Senior Management to intermediate and junior staff. It belongs to every member of the institution who continues to work diligently in service to our country.

This award strengthens our commitment to continue serving with dedication, professionalism, integrity, and excellence.”

As Guma Valley Water Company continues its transformation journey, Ing. Kallon called on all staff to remain committed to the Company’s mission of delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable water services to the people of the Western Area and Sierra Leone as a whole. The dual recognitions received so far in 2026, the Public Service Leadership Award and the Outstanding Leadership Award, serve as strong endorsements of Ing. Mariwan Kallon’s leadership and the progress being made at Guma Valley Water Company. They also reflect the dedication of the Board, Management, and staff in advancing the Company’s vision of excellence, accountability, innovation, and improved service delivery for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.