By Fatmata Grace Okekearu Bo City
In a landmark event for the Sierra Leone Traders Union in Bo District, Esther Pendema Koroma has been elected as the new chairperson, making history as the first woman to hold this prestigious position. Koroma, who previously served as the Deputy District Chairperson, triumphed in a highly competitive election held at the Methodist Youth Resource Center in Bo.
The election saw the participation of 1,000 delegates representing various market centers across Bo District. The electoral process was closely monitored by security personnel, media practitioners, and civic society organizations to ensure transparency and credibility.
Koroma secured a decisive victory with 384 votes, a significant mandate for her leadership. Her closest competitors, Edwin Joe Kulanda and Patrick Ishmail Zombo, garnered 329 and 197 votes respectively, while Alhaji Umaru Jalloh received 14 votes. The intense contest required four rounds of voting to determine the winner.
Esther Pendema Koroma’s victory marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Traders Union in Bo District. Her election breaks new ground and sets a dynamic precedent for future leadership in the district’s trading affairs.
Koroma succeeds David Moses, the current regional chairman for the Sierra Leone Traders Union South. She is expected to bring new energy and vision to the role, fostering growth and unity among traders in the district.
The newly elected district executives for the Bo Traders Union are as follows:
– *Chairperson:* Esther Pendema Koroma
– *Deputy Chairperson:* Mohamed Turay
– *Secretary General:* Sulaiman Kamara
– *Financial Secretary:* Mamie Magao
– *Public Relations Officer:* Alpha Bah
Koroma’s leadership is anticipated to usher in a new era of progress and development for traders in Bo District, reinforcing the union’s commitment to supporting and empowering its members.
