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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development

African organization for women and development From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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]

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Amujae Initiative

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The center launched its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, 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 initiative 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, 15 women were chosen as the inaugural cohort of participants to receive mentorship.[4] They were:[5]

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

In 2021, 15 women across 11 African countries were chosen:[7]

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

2023 saw the third cohort which included:

  1. Liberia Sona Traore Sesay Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services, Former Executive Director
  2. The Gambia Seregbe Keita Public Policy Analyst, and Development Expert
  3. The Gambia Fatou Jagne Senghore led Article 19’s work in West Africa
  4. Zimbabwe Joanah Mamombe MP, biologist
  5. Zambia Chilando Nakalima Chitangala mayor of Lusaka, Zambia[10]
  6. Zambia Chipokota Mwanawasa Presidential policy adviser[11]
  7. Namibia Emma Inamutila Theofelus lawyer, member of Parliament, and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology
  8. Kenya Gladys Wanga Governor of Homa Bay County
  9. Ghana Grace Ayensu-Danquah MP, Professor and Deputy Minister of Health
  10. Malawi Joyce Chitsulo MP, Deputy Minister
  11. Liberia Moriah Kou Dwehde Yeakula lawyer, women’s rights activist
  12. Botswana Peggy Onkutlwile Serame Minister of Finance



The fourth cohort, announced in 2025, contained thirteen women including:[12]

  1. Egypt Sahar Albazar, women's issues activist[13]
  2. Rwanda Patrice Uwase, Sustainable engineer
  3. The Gambia Rohey Malick Lowe, The Gambia’s first female mayor
  4. Sierra Leone Haja Ramatu Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education
  5. Tunisia Aya Chebbi, The African Union’s first Special Envoy on Youth[12]
  6. Liberia Charlyne Mnamah-mar Brumskine Liberian lawyer and advocate[13]
  7. Zambia Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina Kanchibiya Town mayor[13]
  8. South Africa Mutshidzi Mulondo Dr for UNESCO[13]
  9. Cameroon Mylène Noubi Tchatchoua Magistrate auditor[13]
  10. São Tomé and Príncipe Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua Minister of Foreign Affairs et al[13]
  11. Kenya Gathoni Wamuchomba MP[13]
  12. Nigeria Uju Vanstasia Rochas-Anwukah public health and nutrition advocate[13]

In 2025 Monica Geingos was the chair of the board of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center in Liberia.[14]

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References

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