50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards Announces 2025 Shortlist of 100 Nominees

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Last updated: 2025/05/14 at 12:18 AM

By Sallu Kamuskay - Journalist and Public Relations Expert Published May 14, 2025 10 Min Read

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50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards Announces 2025 Shortlist of 100 Nominees

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:

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

Signed:

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

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By Sallu Kamuskay Journalist and Public Relations Expert

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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.