By Ibrahim Sesay
Madam Hawa Sally Samai, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), has represented Sierra Leone at the Global Power Women Forum London 2026, a high-level international gathering of senior women leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners from more than 40 countries.
The invitation-only Forum, held across London and Cambridge, served as a platform for strengthening global collaboration and translating high-level dialogue into practical policy and development outcomes. The event focused on advancing women’s leadership in governance, investment and sustainable development while promoting inclusive growth and institutional reform.
During the Forum, Madam Hawa Sally Samai shared Sierra Leone’s experiences in peace building, governance and national cohesion, highlighting the critical role women play in fostering stability and sustainable development. She stressed that lasting peace is not simply the absence of conflict but a system built on trust, justice and strong institutions capable of supporting recovery, economic growth and investment.
Drawing on Sierra Leone’s post-conflict journey, she explained how the country’s civil war disrupted trade networks, weakened institutions and eroded social trust. She noted that continued peace building initiatives remain essential to restoring stability, rebuilding investor confidence and creating the conditions necessary for long-term national development.
Madam Hawa Sally Samai also underscored the importance of women’s participation in peace and development processes, stating that women have consistently played vital roles in mediation, community engagement and governance. According to her, empowering women is not only an issue of inclusion but also a strategic approach to strengthening economic resilience, institutional capacity and social cohesion.
The Forum further provided opportunities for engagement with global stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality, expanding leadership opportunities for women and building partnerships that support socio-economic transformation across different regions of the world.
Her participation reflects Sierra Leone’s continued engagement in international discussions on peace building, governance and inclusive development, while reinforcing the country’s presence in global policy dialogue.
Madam Hawa Sally Samai’s contribution also aligns with broader national efforts to position peace as a foundation for economic growth and social progress, particularly in post-conflict societies where institutional trust and cohesion are essential for sustainable development.
Her engagement at the Global Power Women Forum London 2026 further strengthens her growing international profile as a peace building practitioner and advocate for inclusive governance, while highlighting Sierra Leone’s contribution to global conversations on women, peace and sustainable development.
