Coinciding almost exactly with the tenth anniversary of Awoko Newspaper, the dream of the managing editor Kelvin Xander Lewis to own both a newspaper and a printing machine was Friday finally realized when the Le 150million four colour speed master printing machine was commissioned.
Bishop Abu Koroma of Flaming Evangelical Ministry dedicated the machine decreeing that the machine will work effectively and produce the maximum effect it was intended for.
Explaining the struggles and how his dream was realized with emotions, Kelvin Lewis, almost short of words and sobbing in between in his speech thanked all those present and said “in the next two days (Sunday) Awoko will be ten years old”.
He recognized Joe Rahall and David Tam Baryoh whom he said started Awoko with him ten years ago. Mr Lewis also explained how he secured the loan of 150 million leones from Guaranty Trust Bank through the help of one of the managers Hawanatou Rahman.
What almost made Kelvin cry was when he said “I have always had the dream of having a Newspaper and a printing press in one building”.
He explained that initially his plan was to buy a two colored machine but when he got a text message for the commissioned machine it took him less than a month to get the loan. He revealed that he had not been shaving his beard because of the frustrations he got along the way trying to ship the machine from Ghana, installing it here and getting it up and running. Eight months after he said with laughter, he has taken off the beard on the day the machine is being commissioned.
Kelvin dedicated the day to the workers whom he said have stood by him through trying times. He singled out Victor Shanu who he said ten years ago was a small boy employed as an office assistant to deliver letters and son but who today is the General Manager.
The mother of Kelvin, Mrs Harolda Lewis pressed the button of the machine that printed the first four colored Awoko Newspaper. Some people who graced the occasion included the three top managers at Guaranty Trust bank, Maryann, Kayode and Hawanatou, family members, Joseph P. A. Koroma, Christian Johnson, and several other close family members including founding partner Joseph Rahall.