Today, January 16, 2023, marks 17 years since Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as the first woman to be elected as president of an African country.
In recognition of this momentous achievement, in 2016, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) designated January 16 as Human Rights Day, this year will be observed in the region annually in former President Sirleaf’s honor.
To commemorate the 6th anniversary of ECOWAS Human Rights Day, the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) is convening distinguished speakers and accomplished artists for a celebratory event.
Speakers to include Madam Johnson Sirleaf; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marjon Kamara; EJS Center Interim Executive Director, Oley Dibba-Wadda; writer Beulah Nimene; former Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission to Liberia, Amb. Tunde Ajisomo; and Senator from River Gee County, Sen. Conmany Wesseh will today assemble at the EJS Center, Tubman Boulevard, Monrovia in celebration of the day.
The event will also feature a performance from the iconic musical artist Yatta Zoe. She will perform two songs including her hit song Belle Yallah about the notorious prison which housed political prisoners and was permanently closed by President Sirleaf.
A representative of the EJS Center said: “We are delighted to host this celebration, which coincides with the third anniversary of the EJS Center’s launch and the fifth anniversary of the peaceful transition of power following President Sirleaf’s tenure. As we refresh and renew our vision for the EJS Center, this serves as a critical moment to reflect on Madam Sirleaf’s legacy of strengthening human rights in Liberia and around the world.”
The EJS Center was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant untapped power—its women.
Through a unique blend of programming, advocacy, research, and exhibitions, the Center advances women’s public leadership and social development on the continent.
As the first democratically elected woman president in Africa, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is passionate about supporting the next generation of women in public leadership.
