Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the tree-planting mayor of Freetown, is making waves in Sierra Leone’s capital city as she tackles the looming climate crisis. Not only is she the first directly elected female mayor of Freetown, but she is also the first person to be re-elected to the position in two decades. A recent documentary by BBC Africa Eye provided unique access to Aki-Sawyerr and her family, shedding light on the highs and lows of Sierra Leonean politics, as well as the personal sacrifices of living in the political spotlight.
However, what has surprised Aki-Sawyerr the most since returning to Sierra Leone after decades of working in finance in London is the preoccupation with her abilities as a woman. In interviews, she was consistently asked if she believed she could handle the job as a woman. Aki-Sawyerr responded by emphasizing her professionalism, stating that her gender should not hinder her capabilities. She noted the double standards, where behaviors considered negative in a woman are celebrated in a man.
The mayor attributes much of her success to her father, who raised her and her three sisters to believe there was nothing they couldn’t do. Growing up with confidence, she never perceived her gender as an obstacle.
Born in Freetown, Aki-Sawyerr moved to the UK after completing her economics degree at Fourah Bay College in 1988. It was during her time abroad that Sierra Leone was engulfed in an 11-year civil war marked by brutal atrocities. Aki-Sawyerr, along with six other Sierra Leoneans living in the UK, founded a charity to support children, particularly orphans affected by the conflict. In 2014, when the Ebola outbreak struck Sierra Leone, she returned as a volunteer for a three-month stint and was later appointed an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II. A decade later, she remains in Sierra Leone.
Her entry into politics was galvanized by a devastating mudslide in August 2017, triggered by heavy rain. The disaster claimed the lives of 1,141 people. Aki-Sawyerr decided to prioritize environmental issues after being elected as mayor in 2018. Freetown, like many coastal cities in West Africa, is susceptible to flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme heat. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, she launched the #FreetownTheTreeTown campaign in January 2020, funded by tokens sold on private and carbon markets. City residents are incentivized to plant and monitor trees and mangroves, with the initial goal of planting one million trees within two years. While the target was not achieved, over 600,000 seedlings have been planted. The project was a finalist for the Earthshot Prize, endorsed by Prince William, which recognizes innovative solutions to environmental challenges. A tree survival rate of over 80% has been reported.
Aki-Sawyerr has received international acclaim for her work on climate change. She was named in Time magazine’s TIME100 Next list of emerging leaders shaping the future in 2021 for her efforts to clean up Freetown’s streets, improve drainage systems, and promote tree planting. She serves on multiple boards and commissioning groups and has spoken at global climate conferences.
However, critics argue that Aki-Sawyerr has not done enough to address Freetown’s challenges. Mohamed Gento Kamara, her opponent in the 2023 mayoral elections from the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), accuses her of failing to fulfill her promises. Aki-Sawyerr defends herself, citing resistance from the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) during her first term. She laments the inter-party rivalry, exemplified by the violence and chaos surrounding the elections.
As she embarks on her final term as mayor, Aki-Sawyerr remains committed to her climate agenda. She admits underestimating the impact of her role as a female mayor, which has inspired many women and girls in Sierra Leone. President Julius Maada Bio’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022, which establishes a 30% quota for women in parliament, the cabinet, and other institutions, has also contributed to an increase in female representation in politics within the country. While Aki-Sawyerr acknowledges the importance of quotas, she believes true empowerment must come from genuine support and opportunities.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s journey highlights the formidable challenges faced by African women in politics and the resilience required to overcome them. Her dedication to tackling the climate crisis and inspiring future leaders is reshaping Sierra Leone’s political landscape.
Image Credit: AP Photo/TJ Bade
