By Richmond B. Tholley
Commonwealth Business Women Africa has, during its National Awards night on February 28th, 2025, in Freetown certified over a hundred women engaging in entrepreneurship, agricultural businesses, and technical and vocational institutions.
Market women were also among those who received certificates. Attended by scores of dignitaries from national and international institutions, including the Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Deputy Minister of Tourism, representatives from the banking sector, non-governmental organisations and others, the occasion celebrated women and also pushed them to do more.
Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Madam Ann Marie King, the Country Director of Commonwealth Business Women, Sierra Leone Chapter, said the selected women were given awards for their exceptional contributions to education, entrepreneurship, women's empowerment, youth development and nation-building.
Madam King furthered that her organization's aim is not only to empower women, so they will take the lead but also contribute to nation-building. Over the years, she said Commonwealth Business Women Africa has been following the ongoing development strides of the aforementioned women in changing the narratives of their communities.
She congratulated the women and urged them to continue building a better society where colleague women will thrive and, in turn, contribute to the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone and the world.
In her statement, Her Excellency Angie Kolie Nynemah Laverla Von Ballmoos, the Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said she was impressed with the way women in Sierra Leone especially with the support of the Commonwealth Business Women Africa, are pushing forward.
For the period she has stayed in the country, the Liberian Ambassador said she has understood that women in Sierra Leone are increasingly becoming key players in the nation's economic development through entrepreneurship.
Despite facing significant challenges, including limited access to finance and education, Ambassador Ballmoos stated that the women have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation. She called for partnership and collaboration among women to help change the narratives.
Among the speakers are the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr Kadija Grace Kamara, representatives from World Vision, Diaspora Focus, United Bank for Africa, Eco Bank, Mercury International, Trociare and others.
One of the recipients of the award, Kadie Bangura, an entrepreneur, thank Commonwealth Business Women for recognising her and colleagues. Bangura said they're appreciative of the recognition and promised to work hard.
The handing over of the certificates climaxed the occasion at Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.
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