In what is seen as a good tiding for women in governance in Sierra Leone, President Julius Maada Bio’s recent cabinet reflects over 40% women’s representation.
This is just a set of cabinet announcement he’s made since his reelection in June this year.
Seven women were announced out of the seventeen ministerial appointments he made recently.
Two of the women attained full ministerial appointments. Dr. Ramatulai Wurie was appointed the minister of technical and higher education and Mrs. Manty Tarawallie as minister of state in the office of the vice president.
Mrs. Fatmata Wurie was appointed as deputy minister of trade and industry while Mrs. Emily K. Gogra moved a step ahead to become deputy minister 1, ministry of basic and senior secondary education.
Mrs. Mamusu Massaqoui was appointed as deputy minister 2, ministry of basic and senior secondary education. Mrs. Jeneba Bangura was factored in as deputy minister 1, ministry of finance while Mrs. Frances Paigie Alghali was appointed as deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.
Many have extolled the move by President, noting it’s not far from his dream to create more space for women in governance.
Sometime last year, President Julius Maada Bio’s government passed the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment(GEWE) Act into law in Sierra Leone. The act makes provision for a 30% of all elective positions in all political parties to be given to women.
Many have stated the President seems to be living just by this act.
Other key appointments announced by the President recently aside ministerial appointments equally involved women. Such appointments have seen a record over 37%.
Mrs. Mariama Koroma was appointed as deputy commissioner general, National Communication Authority.
Mrs. Judith Kosseh was appointed as deputy director general, Sierra Leone Ports Authority while Ann-Marie Harding is appointed as deputy commissioner general 1, National Revenue Authority.
President Bio’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act has also seen massive increment in women’s representation in the country’s legislature.
It’s also expected that his additional cabinet and other appointments will see more women in governance.
