"This is where we go. Here, everyone listens to them," said the driver of Talking Drum Studio, pointing to his radio. As we drove through the busy streets of Freetown, bordered by the sea and hills, the voices of Radio Democracy 98.1 punctuated our journey.

When we arrived, Asmaa James, the station manager, greeted us with a broad smile. Radio Democracy 98.1, the only civil society radio station and the first to broadcast all their programs in Krio, is today the most listened-to station in the country. "What I love most is when people come up to me and say 'you asked the question I wish I had asked'," she says.

Founded during the war, the radio’s history and Asmaa’s merge with Talking Drum Studio's early days, 19 years ago.

Talking Drum Studio's radio experts trained many aspiring journalists from stations across the country to develop their skills and promote reconciliation and hope. Asmaa was one of them. "They trained me to collect, process, and present information. After 20 years in this profession, all the skills I use today stem from what they taught me."

Asmaa found herself venturing outside the capital for the first time to meet people from all over, all of whom had a role in bringing about peace. "We traveled the country, sharpening our senses to unearth stories."

"At peace festivals, you could see ex-combatants, communities, and artists singing and dancing together for peace. I would then cover dialogue sessions between these same actors and record the key moments." Back in the studio, she worked her magic, transforming this content for broadcast to encourage others to embark on a similar path to reconciliation.

"After the war, we all needed messages like this. It was a real challenge and a constant commitment, but the way TDS did its programs compelled people to listen and get involved."

Nearly two decades after the end of the war, radio remains the medium of choice for addressing emerging and burning issues affecting the population. One such issue has inspired Asmaa to continue the struggle beyond the studio. In recent years, she has become a leading activist and leader of a movement against gender-based violence. She is the founder of Black Tuesday, a campaign against sexual abuse, and has seen her message echoed on TDS radio shows.

"I was listening to one of their programs that dealt with rape and violence against women. Soon after, we saw a revision of gender laws. TDS does not take the easy way out. They work from the ground up, reaching out to communities to make their voices heard by the authorities and get action taken. That's what makes TDS unique."