YAWC Network, Sierra Leone Chapter hold maiden ‘Meet and Greet Forum’

Maiden edition of Meet and Greet Forum has been held by the Sierra Leonean Chapter of the YAWC Network on Sunday 26th January 2020 at Port Loko City in Sierra Leone.

The event which was in partnership with Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) in Sierra Leone was under the theme, "Grassroots Mobilisation for Development", and also marked the launch of the YAWC Network – Sierra Leone Chapter ahead of the 5th edition of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) to be held in July, 2020 in Accra, Ghana.

The event witnessed the participation of over sixty young women and was graced by astute women and men from various sectors in the country.

These include the Chairman of the Port Loko District Council, Mr. Ibrahim Santigie Bangura; the Executive Director of Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) Sierra Leone, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma; the City Council Administrator of the Port Loko City, Mr. Joseph G.T Gando and Ms. Fatmata Conteh from the National Communication Commission of Sierra Leone who represented the Resident Minister for the North West Province of Sierra Leone as well as the Executive Director of ExLA Group and the Lead Convenor for the Young African Women Congress (YAWC), Mr. Daniel Osei Tuffuor all the way from Ghana.

Delivering the welcome address, the Acting Leader of Delegation for the Chapter and lead convenor for the forum, Ms. Naimeh Ada Jeredeen Ishmail, revealed the purpose of the gathering and why it was necessary to mobilise women, especially at the grassroots for empowerment and development. She expressed appreciation to the teeming young women who had made it to the event and more particularly to the dignitaries for making the effort to share their thoughts and ideas with them.

The Executive Director of ExLA Group, organisers of YAWC, Mr. Daniel Osei Tuffuor, in his speech, gave a little background into the work and purpose of the organisation. He touched on the journey and progress of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC), encouraging all the young women at the forum to take advantage to register and be part of the 5th edition that would be held in July in Accra, Ghana.

He also mentioned that the YAWC Network is a growing network of young women across Africa and the diaspora and that other meet and greet forums are to be held across other parts of Africa ahead of the Annual Continental Convocation in Accra.

Mrs. Fatmata Conteh from NATCOM who represented the resident Minister for the North West Province of Sierra Leone, in her presentation she was delighted and felt honoured to be associated with initiatives which seek to nurture and develop young women in the country. She went ahead to declare her full support towards the success of the Meet and Greet Forum as often as it will be held.

This was followed by short remarks by the Chairman of Port Loko City Council and the Chief Administrator of the City Council in Port Loko in the same light. They also pledged their support for the forum and the YAWC Network – Sierra Leone Chapter.

The Sierra Leonean YAWC 2019 attendees (Naimeh and Michaela), shared their experience with the group about the annual Congress. They emphasised on how impactful it was and why they have the courage to lead a Network Chapter in Sierra Leone.

The forum was however, climaxed with an interesting and educative group breakout and discussion sessions, facilitated by experienced participants as group heads with relevant topics of discussion.

The various areas of discussion included: The role of Women in the fight against Corruption led by Michella Y. Kargbo; Tackling examination malpractice and sex for grades in Sierra Leone led by Huldah Rhoda Bangura, Drug abuse, a threat to the Youth in Sierra Leone led by Madam Yakoya Kamara, The role women in the fight against sexual harassment led by Daniel Osei Tuffuor.

After the forum, participants expressed their satisfaction while making commitments to be part of the congress in July this year in Accra, Ghana.