By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Rosemarie Bangura, Vice President of the Female Caucus in Parliament, has been elected Vice Chairperson of the West African Regional Caucus at the Pan-African Parliament, marking a significant achievement for Sierra Leone and a major milestone for women’s leadership and representation in regional governance.
Speaking during an interview, Hon. Bangura expressed gratitude and optimism about the opportunity to serve, describing her election as a victory not only for herself but also for Sierra Leone.
According to Hon. Bangura, the appointment presents enormous opportunities for Sierra Leone, particularly in advancing programmes that support women’s health, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.
“The benefits are enormous because, within the Parliament, there will be interactions and engagements with many organisations and institutions,” she explained. “Through these engagements, different programmes and initiatives will emerge, and I want Sierra Leone to benefit from them.”
She emphasised that her focus will be on ensuring that women at the grassroots level are not excluded from opportunities that may arise through the regional platform.
“When I talk about women, I mean all women in general,” she said. “I am not speaking only for educated women or those who attended school. The majority of women are the people we represent, and we must ensure they are not left behind.”
Hon. Bangura further highlighted the importance of initiatives aimed at improving women’s healthcare, strengthening economic opportunities, and supporting vulnerable women across Sierra Leone.
The newly elected Vice Chairperson noted that her tenure will run until 2029, after which another election process will take place.
Expressing confidence in her ability to deliver, Hon. Bangura said she remains committed to serving with dedication, integrity, and strong leadership.
“With God’s help, good leadership, and the support of everyone around me, we will succeed,” she concluded.
Her election is widely viewed as a positive development for Sierra Leone’s participation in regional affairs and a significant boost to advocacy efforts promoting women’s empowerment, inclusion, and leadership across West Africa.