A New Cohort of Trailblazers

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) is excited to introduce the fourth cohort of the Amujae Leaders program. This initiative highlights 13 remarkable women in public leadership from various African nations, all of whom are committed to governance reform, justice, and social transformation.

These leaders add to a growing network of 42 women from 19 countries within the prestigious Amujae Initiative, founded in 2020 by former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Profile of Emerging Leaders

The current cohort encompasses a diverse group of women from countries such as Tunisia, Lesotho, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. These leaders exemplify a fresh approach to public leadership in Africa—principled, inclusive, and determined to create a better tomorrow.

As participants in the Amujae Initiative, they will engage in strategic mentorship and gain access to a powerful Pan-African network of women leaders, further empowering their public service endeavors.

Words of Empowerment

“Welcoming this new group of Amujae Leaders is both a celebration and a call to action. These remarkable women represent the best of African leadership with their deep commitment to prioritizing the communities they work with. Their entry to the Amujae Initiative comes at a time when the world is yearning for a new kind of leadership—one that is inclusive, ethical, and transformative. These women are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today, and they are helping to reshape the future of our continent,”

The Gender Gap in Leadership

Despite women representing over half of the global population, they occupy only 27.2% of parliamentary seats worldwide, a statistic highlighted by UN Women at its Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in March 2025. In Africa, only 15 countries have achieved or exceeded the 30% benchmark for women’s representation in national legislatures.

The Amujae Initiative plays a crucial role in dismantling systemic barriers and uplifting the voices of women at all levels of governance.

Funding Challenges

The urgency for women’s leadership programs is heightened by a recent funding freeze from USAID and reduced support from Western governments, totaling over US$60 billion in decreased international aid. Such financial cuts threaten the progress made over the decades, curtailing access to leadership development and inclusive governance.

Meet the New Leaders

• Sahar Albazar (Egypt) – A dynamic parliamentarian and youth advocate.
• Charlyne Mnamah-mar Brumskine (Liberia) – Prominent lawyer and civic engagement advocate.
• Aya Chebbi (Tunisia) – First African Union Special Envoy on Youth.
• Kanungwe Chota Kanyanyamina (Zambia) – Young mayor committed to sustainable urban development.
• Rohey Malick Lowe (The Gambia) – Advocate for urban development and political participation.
• Nthati Moorosi (Lesotho) – Minister driving technological advancement.
• Dr. Mutshidzi Mulondo (South Africa) – Global health leader working on health disparities.
• Mylène Noubi Tchatchoua (Cameroon) – Financial magistrate focused on gender-responsive budgeting.
• Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua (São Tomé and Príncipe) – Seasoned politician advocating for women’s participation.
• Uju Vanstasia Rochas-Anwukah (Nigeria) – Public health and nutrition advocate.
• Patrice Uwase (Rwanda) – Engineer overseeing critical infrastructure projects.
• Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba (Kenya) – Parliamentary member advocating for women’s rights and youth empowerment.
• Dr. Haja Ramatu Wurie (Sierra Leone) – Minister focused on enhancing access to education.

The Role of the EJS Center

Founded in 2018, the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development aims to catalyze change in Africa by harnessing the untapped potential of women. Through various programs, research, and advocacy, the Center is dedicated to fostering women’s public leadership and social development across the continent.

As Africa’s first democratically elected woman president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is fervently committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders.