By SierraEye
Dr Kadi Sesay, feminist, scholar, politician, and pro-democracy advocate, passed away in the United States after a prolonged illness. She was 76. Family sources confirmed her death after a prolonged illness.
A woman of grace, intellect, and quiet strength, Dr Sesay broke multiple barriers over the course of her lifetime. She was the first woman to head a national commission in Sierra Leone, the first to run for the office of Vice President, and among the earliest female ministers in post-war governments.
Born on 4 March 1949 in Rotifunk, Moyamba District, to Temne parents from Rhombe, Lokomasama Chiefdom, Port Loko, Kadi Sesay’s early years were spent traversing the cultural and geographical breadth of the country. She pursued her academic journey with distinction, earning a BA in English Language and Literature from Fourah Bay College, an MA in African Literature from the University of Sheffield, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of London.
For two decades, she served as lecturer and later Head of the English Department at Fourah Bay College, inspiring generations of students, particularly women, to embrace the power of language and critical thought.
From 1994 to 1999, Dr Sesay served as the Chair of the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights during one of Sierra Leone’s most turbulent periods. She helped lay the foundations for civic education, human rights awareness, and citizen participation in the country’s fragile return to democratic rule. She was a key member of the Government’s delegation to the Lomé Peace Talks and co-authored The Sierra Leone National Pledge, a civic anthem that remains in use to this day.
Her tenure as Minister of Development and Economic Planning (1999–2002) and later as Minister of Trade and Industry (2002–2007) saw her spearhead vital reforms. She helped draft the country’s first Investment Code, led the establishment of SLIEPA, facilitated trade opportunities under AGOA, and launched Sierra Leone’s first International Investment Conference, which attracted over 400 global investors.
In 2012, she made history again becoming the first woman to contest the Vice Presidency of Sierra Leone as the running mate of Rtd. Brig Julius Maada Bio
on the SLPP ticket. Her candidacy, though unsuccessful electorally, was a watershed moment for women’s political leadership in the country.
To many, she was more than her titles. She was a mentor, a mother, and a moral compass in public life. Despite the demands of her public service, she raised three children, including renowned former CNN anchor Isha Sesay, who has often spoken of her mother’s fierce intellect and compassion.
In 2003, she was awarded the Sierra Leone Women of Excellence Award for Female Personality of the Year. In 2002, she was named Minister of the Year by the AWOL Awards.
Dr Kadi Sesay’s passing marks the end of an era. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
