Her Excellency the First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has hosted the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Wang Qing and his wife at her Goderich office in Freetown.
The meeting between the first lady and the ambassador was closed door, however, Dr. Fatima Bio posted on her Facebook page saying: “It was a great pleasure hosting the Chinese Ambassador and his wife in my office, as we pledge to continue our partnership in helping our young girls and vulnerable children in our society”.
Ambassador Qing arrived in Sierra Leone on 3rd January, 2023. Earlier on 4 January, 2023, he presented the copy of the Letter of Credence to Hon. David J. Francis, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The development came few days after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Young African Women Congress in an effort to host the YAWC’s 2023 Annual Continental Convocation in the country.
Dr. Bio said: “We have an opportunity to host some 1,000 people in the forthcoming Congress. The event will enhance the economic boom for our hotels and tourism sector. We will have the opportunity to sell our own culture to the world. Let me at this stage thank His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio for empowering the women in Sierra Leone,” she said.
She said Sierra Leone was ready for business, noting that hosting the event would open up the space for new investment opportunities in the country.
Executive Chairman for YAWC Network Daniel Osei Tuffuor said his organisation was focused on women’s empowerment and development, adding that they would always be happy to make their voices heard on matters that would promote women’s activities.
The Ghanaian-born feminist also recalled that when he visited Sierra Leone some months ago and found billboards bearing the portrait of the First Lady with the inscription: ‘Hands Off Our Girls’, he was thrilled by the ambition of a political figure championing the affairs of women.
“I felt realness in the First Lady’s campaign against rape and other domestic violence against women. Enough of paying lip service to campaigns such as this. We need genuine campaigners in Africa like the Sierra Leone First Lady,” he told his audience.
Michaela Kargbo, Chairperson of YAWC Network in Sierra Leone said the organisation was a fraternity of young women living in Africa and in the diaspora.
“Our headquarters in Ghana has a vision to empower women in a collaborative approach. We are apolitical and non-racial, and we have been embarking on a continental campaign against rape. Our social media campaign reached 50 million people and over 2,000 women have been empowered through this organisation,” she noted.
