By Millicent Senava Mannah
Mamie Mariama Justice Ganawah Education Foundation (MaMJGEF) has organized a National Education Champions Awards (NECA) and a Fund Raising Dinner on the 27th January, 2024 during an event that was held at Hotel Cabenda on Signal Hill in Freetown.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and CEO of MaMJGEF, Mohamed Justice Ganawah, expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners for their relentless support to the Foundation further informing that the organization was founded in 2021 in honor of his late mother, Mamie Mariama Justice Ganawah, after whom the organization was named.
He revealed how she was a woman who valued education and single handedly went all out to educate him also underscoring that because of the late woman’s passion for education that was the major reason why he created the Foundation in honor and memory of her.
Ganawah also disclosed that when they started the Foundation they promised that they will restore Sierra Leone’s legacy in education as the Athens of West Africa saying one way through which they believed that could be achieved was by initiating the National Education Champions Awards.
He intimated that the Foundation has forty two beneficiaries, who are pupils, attending various schools saying three of them have never had access to formal education until the organization’s intervention, and that another three attained double promotions in their schools adding how they do monitor their performances and wellbeing from time to time.
The CEO appealed to the audience to support the Foundation in order to enable them to positively impact more lives.
Guest Speaker of the occasion, in his statement, commended the Founder of the Foundation for such an initiative saying that in recognizing the remarkable achievements of others they must adhere to the principles of hard work, honesty and dedication in every endeavor of their lives.
He maintained that stories of examination malpractice abound and that sometimes it is with the active connivance with parents, guardians and staffs of the educational institutions.
“This unholy practice must be discouraged. Integrity must guide the way to conduct our affairs,” he admonished, and noted that the lifetime achievement award is a symbol of gratitude and admiration for individuals who dedicated their lives to shaping the minds of the future, “leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of our country.”
One of the recipients of the award, Prof. Joe A.D. Alie, expressed his gratitude to the Foundation and NECA for awarding him such an honorary award, maintaining that it is good that they are receiving such an award when they are alive.
He commended the foundation for the good work they have been doing and pledged his moral support.
The event featured a documentary showcasing the Foundation’s journey so far, climaxing with several recreational performances.
