The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) has announced the third cohort of African women set to join its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative.
The cohort is made up of 12 female leaders from 10 countries across the African continent. They include current government ministers, members of parliament, senior government advisors, and activists engaged with issues ranging from economic development to gender equality and youth empowerment.
The initiative has 42 African women leaders, known as Amujae Leaders, who have leadership roles in public offices across the African continent.
The Amujae Initiative was launched by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020, with the vision to shift the landscape for women in public leadership in Africa, moving from a culture of tokenism to one that values women leaders.
The coaches for the Amujae Initiative include former heads of state: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President Joyce Banda, and President Catherine Samba-Panza.
The Amujae Leadership Forum schedules events to develop the Amujae Leaders’ skills and map their leadership paths.
The 2023 cohort of Amujae leaders
- Hon. Peggy Onkutlwile Serame – Minister of Finance, Botswana
- Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah – Gender Advocate and Humanitarian Surgeon, Ghana.
- Ms. Seregbe Keita – Public Policy Analyst and Development Expert, Guinea
- Mrs. Sona Traore Sesay – Educator, Policymaker, and Social Justice Leader, Liberia
- Hon. Emma Theofelus – Member of Parliament and ICT Deputy Minister, Namibia
- Ms. Chipokota Mwanawasa – Policy Advisor to the President, Zambia
- Gladys Wanga – Governor of Homa Bay County, Kenya
- Cllr. Moriah K.D. Yeakula – Lawyer, Feminist and Political Activist, Liberia
- Ms. Fatou Jagne Senghore – Founder of the Center for Women’s Rights and Leadership, The Gambia
- Hon. Joyce Chitsulo – Member of Parliament, Mwanza West Constituency, Tanzania
- Hon. Joanah Mamombe – Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency, Zimbabwe
- Ms. Chilando Nakalima Chitangala – Mayor of Lusaka, Zambia
The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) implements the Amujae Initiative Forum, which hosts an annual event bringing together the Amujae leaders who take part in training, coaching, mentorship, and networking with one another.