FOCUS 24/7 Newspaper Honors Eminent  Sierra Leonean Women

Sierra Leone, like many countries around the world, celebrates the International Women’s Day on the 8^th March each year.

This day is dedicated in honouring the achievements and contributions of women in various fields and highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality. This year’s celebration, the management and staff of Focus 247 Newspaper is set to celebrate some remarkable women who have made significant impacts in their respective fields.

Among these eminent women are Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Justice Miatta Samba, Mayor Aki-Sawyer, President of the Women in the Media Sierra Leone, sama Kamara James, the Head of the National Revenue Authority Madam Jeneba Bngura.

Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, Fatima Maada Bio entered politics in 2007. In 2018, she became First Lady when her husband was elected as President of Sierra Leone. As First Lady, she has been involved in various initiatives focused on education, women’s empowerment, and child welfare.

She has also been a vocal advocate for gender equality and has worked to promote access to education for girls and women in Sierra Leone. Fatima Maada Bio has received several honors and awards for her humanitarian work and advocacy. In 2018, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of East London in recognition of her contributions to education and women’s empowerment. She has also been recognized by various organizations for her work in promoting gender equality and improving access to education for girls and women.

The Hands of Our Girls (HUG) campaign is a flagship initiative of H.E. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, aimed at tackling issues affecting the education and empowerment of adolescent girls in Sierra Leone. The campaign was launched in June 2018, with the goal of reducing teenage pregnancy rates, increasing school attendance and retention, and promoting gender equality.

prior to entering politics, Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio worked in the banking and finance industry in both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. She also established the Sierra Leone War Victims Fund, which aimed to provide support for victims of the country’s civil war. In addition to this, she has been involved in various humanitarian efforts, including working with the Hinga Norman Foundation and the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum.

Estina Tailor is the President of the Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), an organization that aims to empower women in the media industry and promote gender equality in the country’s media sector.

She has made a tireless advocate for women’s rights and has worked to ensure that women’s voices are head in the media. Under Tailor’s leadership, WIMSAL has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting women’s participation in the media. These include training programs for women in journalism, media literacy campaigns and advocacy efforts aimed at increasing the number of women in decision-making positions in the media industry. Tailor is also a prominent broadcaster and has worked as a radio presenter and producer for many years. She has used her platform to raise awareness about important social issues, including gender-based violence, women’s empowerment and human rights.

Nabela F. Tunis is the Minister of Tourism and Culture and she is a prominent figure in the tourism and cultural sector of Sierra Leone.

She has been serving as the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for a significant period, during which she has made substantial contributions to the development and promotion of tourism and cultural heritage. Before her appointment as the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabela F. Tunis held various positions in both the public and private sectors. She has extensive experience in tourism and cultural affairs, having worked in various capacities in museums, cultural institutions, and tourism boards. Her background in cultural heritage and tourism management has been instrumental in shaping her approach to promoting cultural tourism and preserving cultural heritage. As Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabela F. Tunis has implemented various initiatives to promote tourism and cultural heritage. She has focused on developing sustainable tourism practices, preserving cultural heritage sites, and promoting cultural exchange programs. Under her leadership, the tourism sector has seen significant growth, with an increase in both domestic and international tourists. Nabela F. Tunis has promoted cultural exchange programs to foster understanding and cooperation between different cultures. These programs have provided opportunities for individuals from different cultures to learn about each other’s traditions, customs, and values. This has helped to promote tolerance, respect, and understanding between different cultures.

Augusta James Teima is the first female to hold the distinguished position as Minister of Sport of Sierra Leone. She was appointed to this position by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.

Teima is a former athlete and has a deep passion for sports. She has been instrumental in promoting sports development and physical education in Sierra Leone. As the Minister of Sport, Teima is responsible for promoting sports development and physical education in Sierra Leone. She oversees the administration of sports programs, facilities, and events in the country. She also works closely with various sports organizations, both local and international, to promote sports development and enhancing the performance of Sierra Leonean athletes.

Melrose Karminty Minister of Social Welfare is the current Minister of Social Welfare and since her appointment she has contributed immensely in championing issues affecting women and children in the country.

Melrose Karminty is a prominent Sierra Leonean women who is now serving the country diligently in addressing issues affecting women and girls and advocating for gender equality in the country.

Dr. Sylvia Blyden is a prominent figure in Sierra Leone known for her work as a journalist, activist and politician. She has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and social justice issues in the country. Sylvia Blyden has also served in various government positions, including as Special Executive Assistance to the former President Ernest Bai Koroma, she has served as Minister of Social Welfare Ministry.

Notable, Sylvia Blyden has been prominent advocate for women’s rights and has a sound knowledge in national issues and she is well-grounded in the politicking of the country. Many of her admirer has considered her as a potential President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. May be, in the 2028 elections, Sylvia Blyden would contest for the flagbearer position in the main opposition APC party.

Marcella Samba is a prominent figure in Sierra Leone known for her work with the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) in the country. CGG is a non-governmental organization that focuses on promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance practices in Sierra Leone. The main objective of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) in Sierra Leone to hold the government accountable and promote transparency in public affairs. The CGG engages in advocacy, research, and civic education to empower citizens and strengthen democratic governance in the country.

Marcella Samba has been actively involved in advocating for good governance and social justice in Sierra Leone. She has been a vocal critic of corruption and inefficiency in government institutions, pushing for reforms to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Marcella Samba’s work with the CGG has had a significant impact on promoting good governance practices in Sierra Leone. Through advocacy campaigns, policy recommendations, and community engagement, she has helped raise awareness about the importance of accountability and transparency in government. Despite their efforts, Marcella Samba and the CGG face various challenges in their work, including resistance from government officials, limited resources, and political interference. However, they remain committed to their mission of promoting good governance and fighting corruption in Sierra Leone.

Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr is a prominent Sierra Leonean humanitarian, and development expert.

She made history on April 25, 2018, when she became the first woman to be elected as the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, the capital city of Sierra Leone. Her election marked a significant milestone for the country, as it demonstrated the progress made towards gender equality in leadership positions. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s election has had a profound impact on gender equality in Sierra Leone. Her success has inspired many women to pursue careers in politics and leadership, breaking down barriers and challenging traditional gender roles. Additionally, her leadership has shown that women can be effective and successful leaders in traditionally male-dominated fields. She has been a trailblazer in local governance and urban development, implementing initiatives to improve the lives of residents of Freetown and promoting sustainable development in Freetown.  Undoubtedly, Mayor Aki-Sawyer has been a distinguished personality who have served as a motivation to other women to compete for positions that are male dominant. Her eloquence and dedication to work has given her advantage over her competitors.

Justice Miata Samba is a prominent figure in Sierra Leon’s legal system, serving as a judge in the High Court. She has made significant contributions to the country’s judiciary throughout her career.  Throughout her tenure as a judge, she has presided over numerous high-profile cases and has been instrumental in shaping the country’s legal landscape.

Her experience and knowledge have earned her respect from both her peer and members of the general public. In addition to her judicial duties, Justice Samba has been actively involved in various capacities within the legal community. She has served as a member of the Sierra Leone Law Reform Commission and has contributed to the development of legal frameworks and policies in the country. Furthermore, she has participated in regional and international legal forums, sharing her insights and experiences. Justice Miata Samba’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all has been widely acknowledged. Her contributions to the Sierra Leonean judiciary and legal system have been invaluable, and she continues to serve as a beacon of integrity and professionalism in the country’s legal system.  Justice Miatta Samba is a respected legal figure in Sierra Leon who has made significant contributions to the country’s judiciary system. She has been instrumental in upholding the rule of law and in promoting justice in Sierra Leone. She is among few women that are distinguished in the Sierra Leone legal system.

Madam Jenba Bangura is the current Head of the National Revenue Authority in Sierra Leone. She plays a crucial role in overseeing the collection of revenue for the government of Sierra Leone. As the head of this authority, she is responsible for implementing tax policies, ensuring compliance with tax laws, and maximizing revenue collection to support government programs and services. Madam Jeneba’s leadership at the National Revenue Authority is essential for promoting transparency, accountability and efficiency in revenue collection processes.

Her Strategic decision making and management skills are instrumental in driving sustainable economic growth and development in Sierra Leone. Under Madam Jeneba Bangura guidance, the National Revenue Authority works towards enhancing tax compliance, reducing tax evasion and fostering a culture of voluntary tax payment among individuals and businesses. Her efforts contribute significantly to strengthening the country’s fiscal position and promoting financial stability. It is no joke that her elevation as head of NRA did not come as a surprise to many.

Madam Asama Kamara James is a prominent figure in Sierra Leone’s media landscape. She is known for her contributions to journalism and her active involvement in advocating for press freedom and media ethics in the country. Asama Kamara James has been a vocal voice in addressing issues related to media professionalism, government accountability and social justice through her work in various media outlets.

Asama Kamara James began her career in journalism several years ago, working for reputable media organizations in Sierra Leone. She has covered a wide range of topics, including politics, human rights and social issues. Her reporting style is characterized by thorough research, balanced reporting and a commitment to upholding journalistic integrity. Throughout her career, Asama Kamara James has conducted interviews with key political figures, civil society leaders and community members to shed light on important issues facing Sierra Leone. Her work has been instrumental in raising awareness about corruption, inequality, and other challenges that the country faces.  Asama Kamara James before establishing her Rise radio station, she has served as Station Manager and presenter of the popular radio program in Sierra Leone, ‘Gud Morning Salone’.

Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay is a prominent figure in Sierra Leonean politics and has been actively involved in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment. Her role as a female member of Parliament highlights the progress that Sierra Leone has made towards achieving gender parity in political representation.

There are other women that are also playing significant role in the informal sector and this medium will ensure that they are recognized in our subsequent publications.