The city of Freetown in West Africa’s Sierra Leone is poised to get its first female mayor since 1980. “Freetonians this victory is for all of us. Thank you for believing in my vision and for giving me the honor to serve as your Mayor for the next four years. I look forward to working with all of you to make Freetown a city we are all proud of,” Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr jubilated to her supporters, as reported by Africanews.
#Freetown gets its first female mayor since Dr June Holst-Roness (1977-1980). @yakisawyerr of ruling his APC was elected with almost 60% of valid votes cast. Wishing her a successful tenure. #SierraLeone @Sierradecides #votesalone pic.twitter.com/XahViDUZ65
— Abdul Tejan-Cole (@atejancole) March 19, 2018
Sawyerr won the position in Freetown’s elections which were held on March 7. She ran under the billet of the All People Congress (APC) political party. Sawyerr amassed over 309,000 votes equating to 59.22 percent of votes. Her major opposition was Raymond Desouza George of the Sierra Leonean Peoples Party (SLPP) who received 167,000 or 32.36 percent of votes. Sawyerr beat five male candidates.
The last time Freetown had a female mayor was from 1977 to 1980 and Dr. June Holst-Roness held the title.
Sawyerr, a graduate of London School of Economics has worked as a finance expert in London and has assisted orphans, displaced citizens, and child soldiers. Sawyerr has also led the fight against Ebola in her native land by spearheading programs to educate and support causes in eradicating the highly infectious disease.
Sawyerr founded the Sierra Leone War Trust which dedicates itself to helping those deeply affected by the civil war in her native country.
