Episode 18 – Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr: International Laurels, National Promise
By Dr Doma
APC delegates, over the past episodes we have looked at how Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has delivered for Freetown against all odds.
But today, let us take a moment to step outside Sierra Leone and see how the world has responded to her leadership.
What we find is a story of recognition, respect and credibility—proof that when given the chance, she will not only make things happen at home but also raises our country’s profile abroad.
In 2024, Yvonne was awarded the German Africa Prize in Berlin.
This was not a small recognition, it was a celebration of her work in building a greener, more resilient Freetown and her commitment to transparency in governance.
Standing on that international stage, she reminded the audience that African cities can be centers of innovation if leaders are prepared to act with courage and focus. That award was not just about her, it was about Freetown and by extension, Sierra Leone.
The City of Florence in Italy also honoured her for her efforts to improve living standards and protect the environment.
She has been recognised in the Time100 Climate List, listed among BBC’s 100 Women, named in Time100 Next and celebrated as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst.
She has given a TED Talk that has been watched by millions, sharing the story of how dissatisfaction can be turned into action.
Each of these recognitions carried Freetown’s name with it, showing the world that Sierra Leone is capable of producing leaders who make a global impact.
Just this month in Ghana, she spoke at a gathering of African women on climate action, reminding her audience that women are not bystanders but leaders in the struggle for a safer future.
Her words were not only powerful; they were quoted and discussed across the region.
And only weeks earlier in Freetown, she showcased the city on a continental stage by hosting the 4th Nalafem Summit, a gathering of over 100 leaders from across Africa, including ministers, parliamentarians, activists and survivors, under the theme “From Representation to Power: Women Leading in Crisis & Peace.”
With speakers such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, this summit was not about Yvonne alone, it was about Freetown stepping forward as a hub for bold conversations, women’s empowerment and African leadership.
These platforms matter, because they open doors for partnerships, for funding and for collaboration that Freetown and Sierra Leone would never access without such credibility.
APC delegates, you should reflect carefully.
These are not ceremonial decorations.
They are results of real work, planting over a million trees, creating jobs for women and young people, building a wastewater treatment plant, providing access to water for underserved communities, supporting schools and markets and giving dignity to communities that had long been forgotten.
That is the track record that has brought her international recognition.
So APC delegates ask yourselves: if Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr can earn such trust and respect from the world while serving as Mayor with limited support, what more could she achieve for Sierra Leone with the full backing of her party?
What new investments, partnerships and opportunities could she bring home?
This is why this decision is not about ordinary politics.
It is about a leader who has already proven her worth both locally and internationally.
Yvonne has carried Freetown’s name with honour and with your support, she can do the same for Sierra Leone.
APC delegates, truly, this is bigger than politics.
