My experiences from interviews with 7 Presidents in West Africa, by Abubakar Hashim

A presidential interview is the pinnacle of any journalist’s career. It carries significant weight as the President of any country operates on a severely tight schedule. In addition to daily scheduled appointments, there are unforeseen events that invariably require the President’s urgent attention.

My first presidential interview was with the late President Joseph Momoh of Sierra Leone in 1989. I was working with the now-defunct African Concord, headquartered in Lagos, alongside Bayo Onanuga, who is currently President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy. Momoh, who was close to Nigeria’s then-Military President Babangida, was not particularly eloquent. He answered questions with brief responses, as if he were about to catch a flight.

My second presidential interview was with the late President Tejan Kabbah on his first anniversary in March 1997. I found Kabbah to be an experienced technocrat who spoke in measured tones about his love for the unity of his country. This was during the peak of the war in Sierra Leone. Just two months after that memorable interview, Johnny Paul Koroma led a coup in May 1997. Kabbah fled into exile in neighboring Guinea and was reinstated by General Abacha nine months later.

The third interview was with President Ernest Bai Koroma. The interview was nearly canceled due to an incident involving a Chinese investor who, after being invited by the President to Sierra Leone, was robbed at his hotel. The President was visibly upset that day, which I sensed during the interview. He spoke well, though I found him somewhat evasive when answering certain questions.

The next interview was with Africa’s first female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It was published in TheNEWS. I found Ellen to be an extremely intelligent woman, well-versed in current affairs.

The subsequent interview was with Côte d’Ivoire’s President, Alassane Ouattara, the only bilingual President in West Africa. Ouattara is incredibly sharp and exhibits all-around brilliance. He speaks both his native French and English fluently. Initially, I thought I would need a translator, but I was proven wrong—Ouattara speaks fluent English.

The sixth interview was with President Julius Maada Bio. I had two interviews with him: one when he was Secretary of State (Minister) of Information and another during his presidency, in the thick of COVID-19. Bio is remarkably intelligent, and I found him to be well-informed on contemporary issues.

The seventh interview was with President Joseph Boakai on August 17, 2024, in Monrovia. This interview was the most touching for me. Boakai’s journey to the presidency is heartbreaking, filled with numerous twists and turns. As a determined leader, he eventually triumphed after a tough battle. President Boakai is reminiscent of figures like Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi, who valued humanity and service. All three leaders share a similar chemistry and portray a comparable dedication to their principles.

The full interview with President Boakai will be published in the September edition of TheNEWS. It is lengthy, revealing, and breathtaking.

I have benefited immensely from all these interviews. From my time at African Concord to my current role at TheNEWS Magazine, I am grateful to God Almighty for providing me the opportunity to meet these Presidents in West Africa, where I have covered current affairs for the past 32 years!

As I look toward retirement, I cherish the experiences from these interactions. Conducting presidential interviews requires thorough preparation, a commanding presence, and in-depth knowledge of the topics being discussed.

Abubakar Hashim is the West Africa Bureau Chief of TheNEWS Magazine, based in Sierra Leone.