Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, also known as the EJS Center, is an organization to encourage and develop women in leadership roles in Africa. Founded by the former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2018, the organization aims "to be a catalyst for change across Africa, by helping unleash its most abundant untapped power – its women".[1]

Ophelia Weeks, ex-President of the University of Liberia, was appointed as the Center's first Executive Director.[2]

Amujae Initiative

The Center launched its flagship program, the Amujae Initiave, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County on International Women's Day in March 2020.[3] 'Amujae' means "we are going up" in Liberian dialect, and the iniative aims to prepare women for promotion to leadership positions across Africa.[4]

In 2020, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Catherine Samba-Panza of Central African Republic helped Johnson Sirleaf with the Amaujae Initiative, Fifteen women were chosen as the inaugural cohort of participants to receive mentorship.[4] They were:[5]

  1. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, doctor and activist
  2. Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Cabinet minister and lawyer
  3. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown
  4. Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority
  5. Oley Dibba-Wadda, president and CEO of the Gam Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL)
  6. Kula Fofana, president of People's Foundation Africa
  7. Yawa Hansen-Quao, executive director and social entrepreneur
  8. Malado Kaba, Guinea's first female finance minister
  9. Cornelia Kruah-Togba, NGO founder, public servant and women’s advocate
  10. Fadzayi Mahere, lawyer, advocate, lecturer and political leader
  11. Aida Alassane N'Diaye-Riddick, development expert and public servant
  12. Angela Nwaka, nurse, consultant, legislator and NGO director
  13. Jumoke Oduwole, academic, government advisor, and advocate
  14. Upendo Duraha Penza, MP and advocate
  15. Blen Sahilu, human rights lawyer and gender expert

In 2021, fifteen women across 11 African countries were chosen:[6]

  1. Teju Abisoye, development expert, lawyer and youth advocate
  2. Farida Bedwei, tech entrepreneur and disability rights advocate
  3. Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport and Member of House of People’s Representatives
  4. Susan Grace Duku, activist and refugee advocate
  5. Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, economist, lecturer, entrepreneur and philanthropist
  6. Isata Kabia, social entrepreneur, former MP and Minister
  7. Bogolo Kenewendo, economist, former Minister and gender and youth activist
  8. Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister and communications & IT expert
  9. Angèle Makombo, political advisor and party leader
  10. Fatoumatta Njai, Parliamentarian, Women’s Leadership Advocate
  11. Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, government advisor and corporate director
  12. Umra Omar, humanitarian, community development strategist and gubernatorial candidate
  13. Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, healthcare advocate and author
  14. Telia Urey, businesswoman, politician and activist
  15. Anne Waiguru, economist and governor of Kirinyaga County.[7]

References
  1. "Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Launches Women's Center as Change Catalyst". AllAfrica.com. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. "EJS Center to raise waves of women leaders". The New Dawn. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  3. David A. Yates (6 March 2020). "Liberia: EJS Launches Center for Women and Development". Daily Observer.
  4. Nellie Peyton (6 March 2020). "Africa's first elected female president to train 'wave' of women leaders". Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. "Amujae Leaders 2020". Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  6. "Teju Abisoye for Ex-President Johnson Sirleaf's leadership initiative". The Nation. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  7. Kevin Muraya (16 January 2021). "Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center honours Goveror Waiguru". KBC. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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