PRESS RELEASE

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 100 SHORTLISTED NOMINEES FOR THE 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL SIERRA LEONEAN WOMEN AWARDS 2025

The organizing committee of the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards is proud to announce that the list of the Top 100 Shortlisted Women for the eighth edition of the Awards will be officially released today, 12th May at 8:00 PM, on AYV Television, the event’s official Facebook page, and other major blogging platforms nationwide.

This year, we received a record-breaking 2004 nominations from across the country and the diaspora. The nomination window, which closed on 30th March 2025, was extended by an additional two weeks due to overwhelming public interest and to ensure inclusivity.

Following the closure of nominations, the Awards vetting Committee, comprising credible and diverse professionals, engaged in rigorous and extended deliberations that lasted for three weeks. The goal was to meticulously assess each nominee’s impact, influence, and contribution to national development across various sectors. After thorough review and evaluation, 100 outstanding women were selected from a pool of nominations for this year’s shortlist.

These 100 women now advance to the public voting phase, which will account for 30% of the total selection score in determining the final 50 awardees. This phase provides the public with the opportunity to celebrate and support the women whose stories and work have inspired change and progress across Sierra Leone.

Voting will officially commence Thursday, 15th May 2025, and detailed voting guidelines will be released within the next 24 hours to ensure transparency, fairness, and accessibility. The voting period will last for one month, giving the public ample time to cast their votes and support their most inspiring candidates.

The Grand awards Ceremony is scheduled for 28th June 2025.

We thank the public for their overwhelming participation and support, and we congratulate all 100 shortlisted women for making it this far. Your work is not only being recognized—it is being celebrated.

Stay tuned for the full list and voting procedures on our official channels.

Here is the complete list of the *100 Shortlisted Nominees for the 2025 Fifty Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards*, including their names, designations, and voting codes:

1. Maama Seiwoh-Kamara – Deputy Director General, NATCA – ISLW001
2. Madam Musayeroh Barrie – Director General, SL Civil Aviation Authority – ISLW002
3. Madam Grace Linda Ruba L. Kargbo – Country Director, World Hope – ISLW003
4. Prof. Mariam Conteh-Morgan – Vice Chancellor, IPAM – ISLW004
5. PC Md. Wokie Jonjo Massaquoi – Paramount Chief, Pujehun District – ISLW005
6. PC Md. Mariama Jaward Thamia – Paramount Chief, Kenema District – ISLW006
7. Dr. Patricia Abdulai – Lecturer and Dean, University of Makeni – ISLW007
8. Madam Judith Boi-Kosseh – Deputy DG, SL Ports and Harbors Authority – ISLW008
9. Hon. Aminata Sesay – MP, Port Loko District – ISLW009
10. Joan A. Kamara – Founder, Cotton Tree Foundation – ISLW010
11. Rev. Margaret M. Sesay – Religious Leader and Mental Health Counsellor – ISLW011
12. Hannah Elizabeth Tarawally – CEO, Salone Coffee Couriers Ltd – ISLW012
13. Khadijatu Delvina Bangura – Executive Director, Dalvina Children’s Foundation – ISLW013
14. Manty Sulma Backly (Marrah) – Entrepreneur – ISLW014
15. Naasu Fofanah – Entrepreneur – ISLW015
16. Chief Supt. Susan B. Coker – Deputy DG, SL Correctional Centre – ISLW016
17. Hon. Justice Tonia Barnett – Court of Appeal Judge – ISLW017
18. Mrs. Isatu Jabbie Kabba – Gender Adviser to the President – ISLW018
19. Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio – First Lady of Sierra Leone – ISLW019
20. Fatmata Clara Carlton Hancils – Executive Director, Legal Aid Board – ISLW020
21. Augusta Williams – Commanding Officer, Female Correctional Center – ISLW021
22. Mariama Gbao – Head of Gender, UN Women Sierra Leone – ISLW022
23. Veronica Williams – HR Manager, Rokel Commercial Bank – ISLW023
24. Mariatu Sesay – CEO, Kadiatu Mothers Love Foundation – ISLW024
25. Salamatu Martha Kamara Tamaraneh – Gender Dev. Forum Against Harmful Practices – ISLW025
26. Fatmata Kargbo – Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry – ISLW026
27. Christiana Queen Fofanah – Deputy Minister of Works and Public Asset – ISLW027
28. Yeama Mimi Soba-Stephens – Deputy Minister of Environment – ISLW028
29. Haja Salimatu Bah – Minister of Communications and Technology – ISLW029
30. Dr. Isata Mahoi – Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs – ISLW030
31. Khadija Bangura – Journalist, Founder Liberty Online TV – ISLW031
32. Hon. Zainab Bah – MP, Western Rural – ISLW032
33. Haja Isatu Bah Kamara – Southern Region Chairperson, APC – ISLW033
34. Hannah Bockarie – CEO, Commit and Act SL – ISLW034
35. Monica Jackson – CEO, Educube – ISLW035
36. Hawa Yokie – Founder, Kamara Yokie Innovation Center – ISLW036
37. Dr. Isatu Kakay Diallo – President/CEO, KID AFAN Company – ISLW037
38. Doreen S. Barrie – CEO, Dorthy Foundation – ISLW038
39. Kadiatu Koroma – President, YALI RLC Alumni, SL Chapter – ISLW039
40. Hon. Rachael Mariatu Sesay-Pessima – MP, Port Loko District – ISLW040
41. Fatmata Mida Carew – Director General, National Tourist Board – ISLW041
42. Mary Baby Sellu – Chairperson, Traders Union, Pujehun – ISLW042
43. Bintu Sheriff – VP, National Sowe Council – ISLW043
44. Hawa Campbell – Deputy Mayor, Bo City Council – ISLW044
45. Zainab Gbla – Chief Supt. of Police – ISLW045
46. Margaret Kamara – Retired Teacher, Kenema – ISLW046
47. Imma Kamara – Founder, Komra Women in Action – ISLW047
48. Hawa Sally Samai – Executive Secretary, Peace Commission – ISLW048
49. Lidama Archi-Fofanah – Agriculturist – ISLW049
50. Dr. Carol Labor – Senior Presidential Adviser, Mental Health – ISLW050
51. Napha Shiv Nishad – Creative Director, For\:Shaphali Beauty Academy – ISLW051
52. Christiana S.B Pettiquoi – Coordinator, Kono Women’s Network – ISLW052
53. Admire Bio – Entrepreneur – ISLW053
54. Mary Scott – Founder, Mary Scott Foundation – ISLW054
55. Olabamidele Hart – Cultural Heritage, Kono – ISLW055
56. Capt. Yainkain Ballay Kamara – Legal Advisor/Prosecutor, SL Armed Forces – ISLW056
57. Dr. Aminata Sesay – Educationist – ISLW057
58. Alimatu Bateh Sangari – Philanthropist – ISLW058
59. Hon. Hawa Rosaline Siafa – MP, Kailahun District – ISLW059
60. Hon. Rugiatu Tarawallie Mussaffa – MP, Kenema – ISLW060
61. Hon. Haja Miatta Amara – MP, Western Rural – ISLW061
62. Hon. Alice Kornya Sandy – MP, Kenema – ISLW062
63. Hon. Marie Kamara – MP, Bombali District – ISLW063
64. Hon. Hawa Conteh – MP, Koinadugu District – ISLW064
65. Hon. Justice Fatmata Bintu Alhadi – Supreme Court Judge – ISLW065
66. Jatu Abdulai – MD, National Medical Supply Agency – ISLW066
67. Hon. Mabinty Fornah – MP, Tonkolili – ISLW067
68. Hon. Rosemarie Bangura – MP, Tonkolili – ISLW068
69. Hon. Fatmata Bintu Bockarie – MP, Bonthe – ISLW069
70. Sally N. Adams – President, Women’s Forum – ISLW070
71. Mbaluza M.J Kamara – Entrepreneur, Karene District – ISLW071
72. Salaimatu Laggah – Musician & Disability Advocate – ISLW072
73. Martina B. Egbenda Esq. – Administrator & Registrar General – ISLW073
74. Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh – Deputy Minister of Justice – ISLW074
75. Kadi Jumu – Team Lead, Governance, UNDP – ISLW075
76. Princess Dugba – Minister of Fisheries & Marine Resources – ISLW076
77. Dr. Darlinda F. Jiba – Lead, MPOX Referral Center – ISLW077
78. Dr. Haja Sovula – Specialist Paediatrician, STEM Women – ISLW078
79. Dr. Jeredine George – Specialist, Obstetrics – ISLW079
80. Fatmata R. Sesay – Manager, Yoni Community Bank – ISLW080
81. Aminata Bangura – Deputy Mayor, Port Loko City Council – ISLW081
82. Hannah Ogunade – Food Blogger – ISLW082
83. Precious Amabel Smith – Social Media Influencer – ISLW083
84. Marie Momoh – CEO, UADF – ISLW084
85. Mariama Lowe Bangura – Women’s Leader, APC – ISLW085
86. Hawa Foray – Women’s Leader, SLPP – ISLW086
87. Dr. Manal Ghazzawi – Founder, Citi Globe Pharmacy – ISLW087
88. Fatu Bintu Kamara – Former Principal, Magburaka Girls School – ISLW088
89. Zainab Bashir – Principal, Hill Valley Academy – ISLW089
90. Hon. Mariama Munia Zombo – MP, Pujehun District – ISLW090
91. Dr. Sylvia Olayina Blyden – Politician & Journalist – ISLW091
92. Ramatu Karim Sesay – CEO, Ramatu Karim Foundation – ISLW092
93. Fatmata Sawaneh – Deputy to Guinea – ISLW093
94. Mariama Goodie Sowonie – Director of Gender – ISLW094
95. Elizabeth Momoh – Head, AYV Newsroom – ISLW095
96. ACP Fatmata Daboh Kamara – Head, Family Support Unit – ISLW096
97. Jenneh Amara Bangalie – Fashion Designer & Women’s Rights Activist – ISLW097
98. Jemilatu Jalloh – CEO, Jem Agro – ISLW098
99. Mariama Navo – ACC Commissioner, Northern Region – ISLW099
100. Juliet Lavalie – President, Women in Agriculture – ISLW100

Signed:

Edmond Alim B Fornah
Chairperson, 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards