Friday, August 21st 2019 marks a year of the passing of Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy, wife of Late Honourable Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy (First Financial Secretary of Sierra Leone) and Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). Hadja Hawa was born 1st December 1922 to Sowoi Mariama Fortune and Alhaji Ali Khadar.
Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy hails from Mongeray, Kpaka, Pujehun where her mother was born. Oh! how she just loved Mongeray. Her father was born in Helba, North Lebanon.
Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday 21st August 2019, at 34 Military Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone at the age of 97 years old. At her bed-side were loved family and friends: Mariama, Sheku [SB], Afiju, Mamie Iye, Lansana, Bangali, Hosia and two amazing Nurses – Alice and Sarah. She was laid to rest on 31st August.
Mama Daramy, as she was called by many, and her beloved husband, SB Daramy, were one of SLPP’s oldest members. When political dispensation was introduced in Sierra Leone in 1992, Hon. Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy left the Ministry of Finance where he was working and took part in active politics in the SLPP.
He contested for the leadership of the SLPP in 1996 during the period of the Presidential elections. At a point when no one would step forward to register the SLPP, Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy and his wife, Hadja Hawa Daramy (Khadar) used their personal funds to register the party. Although he did not succeed in his bid, he proved himself as a loyalist and one of the original SLPP members. He would move on to become a Member of Parliament with his loving Hadja at his constant side – many called them “twins”.
Late Hadja Hawa Khadar Daramy is survived by her daughters, Mariama Daramy-Lewis (Grand Chief Patron SLPP), Marta Daramy, Kumba Hutt and her sons SB Daramy Jr, Ibrahim Daramy, Dr. Sheriff and Ambassador Soulay Daramy and her many grandchildren, notably Charles Tabansi and Naiomi Lewis who spent the later part of her life caring for her grandmother. She is also survived by all of the Khadar Family members.
Mama Daramy lived the latter part of her life, spanning 20 years, with her daughter, Mariama, in New York, Italy and Kenya.
Her first born, Foday Daramy, passed away years ago. Dr. Sheikh Batu Daramy passed away on 17th March 1999 in Dakar, Senegal.
Mama Daramy’s life will be celebrated in Mongeray Kpaka in ceremonies led by Chief Pa Shiaka Koroma and supported by Jusu Sama, Town Speaker and all residents.
We miss you Mama and may light perpetually continue to shine on You and Papa in heaven – I know you are looking down. I miss you more than words can express and after living with me for 20 years you have left a void – my heart aches for you – Love you always and Rest my Beloved Mama – Mariama Daramy.
