Sierra Leone: Ms Naasu Fofanah leaves Office of Gender Affairs

Naasu Fofana stressed that her appointment was based on her credentials, ‘not on political basis’.

“I am not a member of any political party. I am a professional and I am committed to my work,” she stated in a brief telephone interview.

A source at State House says that Ms. Fofanah is being let go because of suspicions that her political loyalties may be elsewhere. 

However, Fofanah says she’ll not comment on the allegations and insists that as a professional she remains committed to her work in helping to ensure that women’s issues take a centre stage in government policies.

Naasu Fofanah was appointed as Gender Specialist and Advisor to President Koroma in 2012 an appointment which the President announced at a meeting in Kenema. At the time President Koroma said that the appointment was “sensitive” bearing in mind the challanges facing women in the country.

A Gender and International Development specialist, Fofanah worked with the UN on women’s empowerment before her presidential appointment. She also owns a women’s spa and hair salon.

Amongst her accomplishments as advisor to the President was ensuring that women’s issues were included within the Agenda for Prosperity, the government’s development blue print.

Submitted: Amadu Lamarana Bah