African Bigwigs Gather at EJS Center Anniversary -VIPs Include 2 Former Presidents, 1 current, others 

MONROVIA – Former Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has once again proven her international citizenship and Pan-Africanist persona, as she over the weekend attracted a horde of African bigwigs and other foreign dignitaries to Monrovia during the 5^th Anniversary celebrations of her post-presidential vocation and heartstring, the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center Ellen for Women and Development, or simply EJS Center, along with its MUSIEJAH catapult, on a well-rounded feminist advocacy train. Sharing in the joy and history of the former Liberian “Iron Lady” was a swarm of national and international friends who had some fond, supporting words for her and the institution. The Analyst reports.

A number of eminent African personalities were in the country last week to join former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirelaf celebrate the founding anniversary of the EJS Center over the weekend. They included Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo; Sahle-Work Zewade, former president of Ethiopia; Bineta Diop, African Union Commission Special Envoy; Nathalie Delapalme, CEO Mo Ibrahim Foundation amongst others. 

Ellen Welcomes Pals

In welcoming her colleagues, the former Liberian president expressed gladness to the VIP quests and Liberians in attendance for leaving their busy schedules to make the sacrifice of being present at the anniversary celebrations, also triggering sideline conversations.

She reflected on her 2018 receipt of the Mo Ibrahim prize in Abidjan at which she said in her acceptance speech that she had received so much from Liberian women, from African women, and from women of the world that enable her to be able to get to the presidency.

She promised at the time to use the prize money to send portion of it towards promoting women to strive for highest leadership positions in Africa.

There were few people instrumental in her reaching that point, she said, mentioning a few of them, including former Ivorian Alassane Dramane Ouattar, former US president George Bush, who took the decision to end the Liberian war, and “one woman who really was there in all the trenches on top of the roof top Ngozi”.

She recalled toying with the idea of helping women in business, describing it “my calling”, but said she did her work in finance, and Ngozi Iweala said to her, ‘no, don’t make that decision’, promising to get ideal experts to do everything they can to see where her strength would be, “not from your past, but whether your strength would be in the future”.

Madam Ellen further remember how the journey was a few steps along the way, her purpose being to see more women, all over Africa, holding positions of authority.

“And if I may say as much, we would like to say positions of influence, also positions of power because it is only those women who will make the changes that are necessary, the fundamental structural and systemic changes that are required and that Africa needs to make sure it achieves its own objectives, consistent with the Africa 2063.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

The former Nigerian president’s remarks were full of humor and inspirations. As he began his comments, President Obasanjo said, “You have chosen for yourself a very laudable task assignment, and you have been able to the stage that what you have gotten to in the last five years. I will say, ‘well done.’”

He showed interest in the former Liberian president’s widely quoted statement. Obasanjo said: “I like the quotation that say ‘if your dream does not scare you, then your dream is not big enough.’ It is not a dream to scare you, it is the implementation of your dream that may even scare you”.

The African statesman stressed that if Africa will ever reach a proper place and position in the world, the two arms of Africa, male and female, must be able to have the two wings to fly Africa.

“And we know that at this moment, the wing of the females is grossly weaken,” he added. “Weakened by culture, weakened by religion, weakened by ignorance, and particularly weakened by male tribalism. These we must correct.”

He said, Ma Ellen has already started.

“I will say this: I not ashamed of being call HeforShe,” the great former Nigerian head of state said.

Sahle-Work Zewde’s remarks

The former president of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, said in her remarks that Madam Sirleaf has achieved a milestone, a testament of commitment to gender balance.

According to her, the former Liberian president and her Center continue to advancing women leadership across Africa, “showing us the need to invest in women leadership. Leadership is not the destination but journey”.

She said the work of the Center is crucial in ensuring that women break barrier, emphasizing that women leaders must always have it mind that aspirations to high positions require power, the power to lead, and the power to decide to change the nature of power, not by power to change your nature. 

“Your hard work, honesty and humanity are compassion to fellow citizens throughout your journey,” Sahle-Work Zewde noted, adding: “One of the most powerful messages I would like to pass to the next generation of women leaders is the importance of building your track record; one that others can stand on. Achievements do not speak for themselves unless they are being recognized, celebrated and used for the foundation for further growth.”

The EJS Center has exceled to preparing the next generation of women leaders, making sure their contributions are neither overlook nor forgotten, she further said.

She rallied the audience to impact higher than even before, open doors in postwar societies with ambition, preparation and resilience with which he said “we can close the gaps through gender equality and leadership”.

President Boakai      

For EJS’ former vice President of 12 years, now current president of Liberia, “We always wonders how will the world remember the role Liberia has played in honor women evidenced by electing the first female president of Africa”.

“And so, as Liberians, we are committed to this; this is an honor to us as much as it is from you,” President Boakai asserted, referring to her former boss.

“I work with you, and I know who you are even before we got elected. Your determination, your humanity, and the role you have played to put women on your agenda.”

“Let me also remind you that I am a He4She,” the Liberian president said. “Today, we are very happy by the way in that the rest of the word has honored us through you, through your contributions. One of the things that I pick up is the younger women, their tool that you touched, and what role they play in this government”.

President Boakai told his audience that Liberia is indeed a blessed place and honored place because of Mrs. Sirleaf’s role, and today “we are here to let you know that this government will indeed support this project because, for us, it is a sure way Liberia can remember not just you, your contribution, but that a sure way that you will be remembered”.

He said, “We want to say to our friends and supporters that we are very grateful to you, because whatever you are doing, you will be doing it for us and we have to tell you that whether personal, we are going to make our contribution, our government will make sure that this project is realized”. 

MUSIEH Program

MUSIEHJAH, a Vai for Women’s House, where traditionally village women gather to talk, to mediate, to plan, to try to find the way of coexistence with their partners.

In the broader context, a place where women can go for training, for learning, for knowledge, for the opportunity to exchange strategies, challenges, successes and also a place where we can brand women who have already achieved, women who stand out in their society, women who challenge the status quo that they can come and have a place where they can be profound, their opportunities can be sent to other to see that what they do.

“We also feel that we shouldn’t be going from place to place with those who will accommodate us; we need a place where they call their own,” the chief celebrant explained the idea behind the new strategy of her Center.

“We started as a library and then expand it into Amueje which is a flagship operations of supporting women. And because we have that library, there is an opportunity for scholars to learn about not only the history of Liberia, but to lean about the history of Africa and the world. Because we have collectives, lot of autobiographies, biographies, written words where scholars can come and sit, particularly women.”

He added: “I want to strongly say that Musiehjah is not just for me; we want to see it stabilize. It goes beyond me signifying what particular women in African countries have done to promote their society, to channel rights, to channel wrongs, and to talk about the rights of women and the protection of women”.

The ideal is also to also talk about those women who have stood out, those women who each of them couldn’t be president. “So, we want be able to tell their stories in this place through their names”.

“We will be encouraging other women leaders to do what I have done; to gather all of my personal papers and send them to an academic institution,” Madam Sirleaf further said, revealing that Howard University has signed a contract with her, having personal papers, and the presidential papers with write-outs when she was in office as president.

Ellen’s Message to Guests

“As we gather to celebrate the EJS Center’s 5^th Anniversary on this significant day, March 8, International Women’s Day, I am reminded of how far we have come in our collective journey toward achieving gender equality in leadership.

“Today, we celebrate not only the milestones of the EJS Center but also the resilience, determination, and brilliance of women who continue to break barriers and reshape the narrative of leadership across Africa and the world.

“When we founded the EJS Center, it was built on a simple yet powerful belief women belong at every table where decisions are made. Our mission has always been to close the leadership gap by equipping, empowering, and elevating women who are ready to lead. Over the past five years, through initiatives like the Amujae Leadership Program, we have seen extraordinary women rise to the challenge, transforming their communities and countries with courage and vision.

“This year’s theme, “Journey to #GapZero in Women’s Public Leadership,” reflects both the progress we’ve made and the work that remains. It is a call to  action, urging us to continue dismantling the structural barriers that hinder women’s leadership. It is a commitment to building a world where women no longer have to fight for a seat at the table but are welcomed as equal partners in shaping our future.

“I am particularly proud to introduce Musiehjah- The African Women’s House, a bold new initiative that will serve as a hub for African women leaders. It will e a space for mentorship, collaboration, and innovation – a testament to our unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of trailblazers.

“To our board members, partners, supporters, and  most importantly-the women who inspire us daily, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your unwavering belief in our vision fuels our progress and strengthens our resolve. Together, let us continue this journey toward #GapZero, ensuring that no woman’s potential is left unrealized and no dream is left behind.

“Thank you for celebrating with us. The journey continues!”

About the EJS Center

In championing women’s ascension to the highest levels of leadership, the EJS Center continues to directly challenge systemic barriers to girls’ and women’s advancement for the betterment of all, with a vision for more voices heard; more talents unleashed, and more leaders launched that prioritize women’s aspirations.

The EJS Center uses a three-strand interwoven approach to address the challenge of gender inequality: leadership development; research and communications and archives.

The flagship program of the EJS Center, the Amujae Initiative’s objective is to inspire and prepare women to unapologetically take up roles and excel in the highest echelons of public leadership, and to bring other women along. ‘Amujae’, pronounced ӓ mōō jāēē, means ‘we are going up’ in Kru, a Liberian language.

Launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020, the vision for the Amujae Initiative is to shift the landscape for women in public leadership in Africa, moving from a culture of tokenism to one that truly values women leaders.