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]
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]
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, doctor and activist
Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Cabinet minister and lawyer
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown
Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority
Kula Fofana, president of People's Foundation Africa Yawa Hansen-Quao, executive director and social entrepreneur
Malado Kaba, Guinea's first female finance minister Cornelia Kruah-Togba, NGO founder, public servant and women's advocate
Fadzayi Mahere, lawyer, advocate, lecturer and political leader Angela Nwaka, nurse, consultant, legislator and NGO director Jumoke Oduwole, academic, government advisor, and advocate
Blen Sahilu, human rights lawyer and gender expertIn 2021, 15 women across 11 African countries were chosen:[6]
Teju Abisoye, development expert, lawyer and youth advocate Farida Bedwei, tech entrepreneur and disability rights advocate Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport and Member of House of People's Representatives Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, economist, lecturer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Isata Kabia, social entrepreneur, former MP and Minister
Bogolo Kenewendo, economist, former Minister and gender and youth activist
Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister and communications & IT expert Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, government advisor and corporate director
Umra Omar, humanitarian, community development strategist and gubernatorial candidate Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, healthcare advocate and author Telia Urey, businesswoman, politician and activist Anne Waiguru, economist and governor of Kirinyaga County.[7]