MONROVIA – In a quiet corner of Sinkor, Monrovia, stands a beacon of hope for women’s leadership in Africa—the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. Inside, its namesake, Liberia’s first female president and a Nobel laureate, speaks with an unwavering resolve. At 85, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is far from retirement. Instead, she remains a relentless force in the fight for gender equality, governance reform, and the empowerment of women across Africa.
“I am grateful to God for keeping me alive, for giving me the stamina and health to continue my work,” Sirleaf said with a warm smile. “My primary focus remains the protection and empowerment of women and their advancement into leadership roles.”
The center recently marked its fifth anniversary with a grand celebration attended by world leaders, including President Joseph Boakai, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, among others. But beyond the festivities lies a deeper story—one of struggle, resilience, and an unshakable belief that Africa can only reach its full potential when its women are at the helm.
From Vision to Reality: The Birth of the Center
The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development is more than just a building; it is a movement. Its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, is named after the Grebo word for “rising.” The initiative equips African women with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to ascend to leadership roles.
The center’s origins trace back to 2018, when Sirleaf received the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize for Good Governance. During her acceptance speech in Abidjan, she pledged to use the prize money to establish an institution dedicated to women’s advancement.
“We officially launched the center on March 8, 2020—International Women’s Day,” she recalled. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck soon after, limiting our activities for nearly two years. But we persevered.”
Under the leadership of its first executive director, Dr. Ophelia Weeks, the center laid a strong foundation. Since its inception, it has trained 42 women across three cohorts, with the fourth cohort set to be announced soon.
“We recruit 15 women each year through recommendations and applications,” Sirleaf explained. “And we are just getting started.”
A Global Network of Women Leaders
The Amujae Initiative is an African revolution. Women from 19 African countries have benefitted from its leadership training, mentorship, and advocacy support. Esteemed figures such as former Malawian President Joyce Banda and World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala play an active role in mentoring and guiding these women.
Beyond training, the center is a hub for research, policy analysis, and historical preservation. Its extensive library and archives house biographies, historical records, and presidential documents. A recent partnership with Harvard University Library aims to digitize critical documents, ensuring that the legacy of female leadership in Africa is preserved for generations to come.
A Bold Future: The African Women’s House
Looking ahead, the center is embarking on its most ambitious project yet—the construction of Musoeja, the African Women’s House. Designed to serve as a leadership and advocacy hub, the facility is estimated to cost US$10 million.
“A team of international and Liberian architects, led by Karen Richards, is finalizing the designs,” Sirleaf shared. “We expect a detailed project plan by June.”
Musoeja will be more than a headquarters—it will be a symbol of what African women can achieve when given the space to lead.
Government and Institutional Support
During the center’s recent anniversary celebration, President Boakai praised its work and hinted at potential government support. “The president expressed appreciation for the center’s work and stated that he would make a personal contribution,” Sirleaf said. “He also mentioned facilitating a government contribution, though he did not specify any amount.”
Sirleaf also addressed the role of the Mastercard Foundation in supporting the center. While Liberia is not a priority country for direct funding, Sirleaf, as a board member, channels her board fees into development projects in the country. One such initiative is the Todee Mission, which provides digital skills training to young women—a cause particularly close to her heart.
“My mother was a Presbyterian minister, and anything that enhances Todee Mission’s impact is meaningful to me,” she noted.
Women in Leadership: The Unfinished Battle
Despite her groundbreaking presidency, Sirleaf is deeply aware that Liberia still lags behind in women’s representation in governance. While countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant strides, Liberia remains behind.
“Our focus remains clear: advancing women into decision-making positions,” she said. “We are studying best practices from other nations and using them to push for policy changes here.”
Sirleaf remains determined to increase the number of female heads of state across Africa. “I will be attending the inauguration of Namibia’s new president, only the second democratically elected female president in Africa,” she revealed. “I am committed to increasing that number to at least five within the next decade.”
A Reflection on Liberia’s Future
As Liberia approaches Decoration Day, Sirleaf urged the nation to honor the occasion with reverence and reflection.
“Decoration Day is meant for reverence, a time to honor those who have passed, including our leaders,” she said. “It should not be a day for drinking and revelry at cemeteries. I urge Liberians to use the day to reflect on our history, remember our loved ones, and pray for our nation’s unity and progress.”
The Road Ahead
Sirleaf remains a towering figure in Africa’s political and social transformation. With Musoeja in motion, international partnerships strengthening, and the Amujae Initiative growing, her vision for a more inclusive leadership landscape is far from complete.
“We are determined to ensure that women rise and take their rightful places in leadership,” she said.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s journey—from a lone woman challenging Liberia’s political establishment to a global force for women’s empowerment—remains an inspiration. And as she forges ahead, she is not walking alone. A new generation of African women leaders is rising, ready to continue the fight for a more equitable future.
Editor’s Note: This feature was written from an exclusive interview with The Liberian Renaissance: Changing Minds and Changing Attitudes, hosted by Dr. Lawrence Bropleh
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