Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, also known as the EJS Center, is an organization to encourage and develop women in leadership roles in Africa. Founded by the former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2018, the organization aims "to be a catalyst for change across Africa, by helping unleash its most abundant untapped power – its women".[1]

Ophelia Weeks, ex-President of the University of Liberia, was appointed as the center's first executive director.[2]

Amujae Initiative

The center launched its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County on International Women's Day in March 2020.[3] 'Amujae' means "we are going up" in Liberian dialect, and the initiative aims to prepare women for promotion to leadership positions across Africa.[4]

In 2020, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Catherine Samba-Panza of Central African Republic helped Johnson Sirleaf with the Amaujae Initiative, 15 women were chosen as the inaugural cohort of participants to receive mentorship.[4] They were:[5]

  1. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, doctor and activist
  2. Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Cabinet minister and lawyer
  3. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown
  4. Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority
  5. Oley Dibba-Wadda, president and CEO of the Gam Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL)
  6. Kula Fofana, president of People's Foundation Africa
  7. Yawa Hansen-Quao, executive director and social entrepreneur
  8. Malado Kaba, Guinea's first female finance minister
  9. Cornelia Kruah-Togba, NGO founder, public servant and women's advocate
  10. Fadzayi Mahere, lawyer, advocate, lecturer and political leader
  11. Aida Alassane N'Diaye-Riddick, development expert and public servant
  12. Angela Nwaka, nurse, consultant, legislator and NGO director
  13. Jumoke Oduwole, academic, government advisor, and advocate
  14. Upendo Furaha Peneza, MP and advocate[6]
  15. Blen Sahilu, human rights lawyer and gender expert

In 2021, 15 women across 11 African countries were chosen:[7]

  1. Teju Abisoye, development expert, lawyer and youth advocate
  2. Farida Bedwei, tech entrepreneur and disability rights advocate
  3. Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport and Member of House of People's Representatives
  4. Susan Grace Duku, activist and refugee advocate[8]
  5. Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, economist, lecturer, entrepreneur and philanthropist
  6. Isata Kabia, social entrepreneur, former MP and Minister
  7. Bogolo Kenewendo, economist, former Minister and gender and youth activist
  8. Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister and communications & IT expert
  9. Angèle Makombo, political advisor and party leader
  10. Fatoumatta Njai, Parliamentarian, Women's Leadership Advocate
  11. Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, government advisor and corporate director
  12. Umra Omar, humanitarian, community development strategist and gubernatorial candidate
  13. Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, healthcare advocate and author
  14. Telia Urey, businesswoman, politician and activist
  15. Anne Waiguru, economist and governor of Kirinyaga County.[9]

2023 saw the third cohort which included:

  1. Sona Traore Sesay Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services, Former Executive Director
  2. Seregbe Keita Public Policy Analyst, and Development Expert
  3. Fatou Jagne Senghore led Article 19’s work in West Africa
  4. Joanah Mamombe MP, biologist
  5. Chilando Nakalima Chitangala mayor of Lusaka, Zambia[10]
  6. Chipokota Mwanawasa Presidential policy adviser[11]
  7. Emma Inamutila Theofelus lawyer, member of Parliament, and the Minister of Information and Communication Technology
  8. Gladys Wanga Governor of Homa Bay County
  9. Grace Ayensu-Danquah MP, Professor and Deputy Minister of Health
  10. Joyce Chitsulo MP, Deputy Minister
  11. Moriah Kou Dwehde Yeakula lawyer, women’s rights activist
  12. Peggy Onkutlwile Serame Minister of Finance



The fourth cohort, announced in 2025, contained thirteen women including:[12]

  1. Sahar Albazar, women's issues activist[13]
  2. Patrice Uwase, Sustainable engineer
  3. Rohey Malick Lowe, The Gambia’s first female mayor
  4. Haja Ramatu Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education
  5. Aya Chebbi, The African Union’s first Special Envoy on Youth[12]
  6. Charlyne Mnamah-mar Brumskine Liberian lawyer and advocate[13]
  7. Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina Kanchibiya Town mayor[13]
  8. Mutshidzi Mulondo Dr for UNESCO[13]
  9. Mylène Noubi Tchatchoua Magistrate auditor[13]
  10. Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua Minister of Foreign Affairs et al[13]
  11. Gathoni Wamuchomba MP[13]
  12. Uju Vanstasia Rochas-Anwukah public health and nutrition advocate[13]

In 2025 Monica Geingos was the chair of the board of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center in Liberia.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Launches Women's Center as Change Catalyst". AllAfrica.com. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. ^ "EJS Center to raise waves of women leaders". The New Dawn. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  3. ^ David A. Yates (6 March 2020). "Liberia: EJS Launches Center for Women and Development". Daily Observer.
  4. ^ a b Nellie Peyton (6 March 2020). "Africa's first elected female president to train 'wave' of women leaders". Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Amujae Leaders 2020". Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  6. ^ Mehnpaine, Tina S. (2024-07-10). "EJS Center Calls for Collective Efforts to Achieving Gender Equality". Liberianobserver.com. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  7. ^ "Teju Abisoye for Ex-President Johnson Sirleaf's leadership initiative". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Amujae Leader Susan Grace Duku explains how she works to empower women and girls - EJS Center". 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  9. ^ Kevin Muraya (16 January 2021). "Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center honours Governor Waiguru". KBC. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Chilando Nakalima Chitangala - EJS Center". 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  11. ^ "Amujae Initiative - EJS Center". 2023-02-18. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  12. ^ a b "Fourth Cohort of Amujae Leaders Announced by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center | africa.com". 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Thomas, Abdul Rashid (2025-05-22). "Fourth cohort of Amujae Leaders announced by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development". The Sierra Leone Telegraph. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
  14. ^ Ngunyam, Noella (2025-03-11). "The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development Celebrates Five Years, Offers First Look at 'African Women's House' on International Women's Day - EJS Center". Retrieved 2025-09-28.


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