Ella Koblo Gulama
Encyclopedia
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Ella Koblo Gulama (26 January 1921 - 10 September 2006) was a Sierra Leonean paramount chief
and politician
. In 1957, she became the first elected female Member of Parliament in Sierra Leone
and all of sub-Saharan Africa
. She was re-elected in 1962. During the government of Milton Margai
, Gulama became Sierra Leone and sub-Saharan Africa
's first female Cabinet Minister.
Gulama was represented Sierra Leone abroad and her travels took her all over Africa
, Europe
, North America
and the Middle East
. In 1957 as a guest of the State Department, she toured the United States
for 4 months during which met with Vice President
Richard Nixon
.
, Moyamba District
in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone
. Her mother was Lucy Gulama
and her father Paramount Chief Julius Gulama
were both ethnic Mende
s. Like his father, Paramount Chief Momoh Gulama
, Julius was Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba Chiefdom. Gulama's sister Komeh
would marry Brigadier David Lansana
, Commander of Sierra Leone's Armed Forces. She had two half-sisters, Messie Gulama and Yebu Gulama by one of her father's junor wives Lunia.
Ella was educated at the Harford School for Girls in Moyamba, and the Women Teacher's College, then at Fourah Bay College
in Freetown
.
of Marampa, Masimera Chiefdom, an ethnic Temne
. Their cross-tribal union was a shining example of national cohesion. The union was blessed with seven children, two surviving, Obai and Soccoh. After Gulama became chief she left her husband and returned to her constituency.
(SLPP), which her father helped establish. In 1957 Gulama embarked on a political career and became a Member of the Moyamba District Council. She was the first woman to be elected to Sierra Leone's House of Representatives as Paramount Chief Member for Moyamba District. In 1962 she was re-elected and Prime Minister Milton Margai
made her a Cabinet Minister. She was the first woman to hold a ministerial post in sub-Saharan Africa. From 1960 to 1967 Gulama was President of the Federation of Women's Organisations in Sierra Leone.
In the 1967 general elections
Gulama regained her seat and was serving in the government of Albert Margai
. However the opposition All People's Congress
(APC) had narrowly won a parliamentary majority. A power struggle between the candidates, Margai of the SLPP and Siaka Stevens
of the APC ensued, destabilizing the country and resulting in a rapid succession of military coups.
When Steven's APC party eventually ascended to power and began their a 30 year grip on Sierra Leone. Gulama was accused of collaborating with her brother-in-law David Lansana
in his coup d'état against Stevens. She placed under arrest and held at Pademba Road prison for over a year. She was later exonerated and released. While she was in prison Stevens appointed her husband Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II
to his cabinet. Her estranged husband's acceptance of the position strengthened the innuendo that Gulama's relationship with Sir Albert Margai
was mouch more than a professional one. Gulama was briefly forced into political exile after Sir Albert Margai lost power.
In the early 1970s Gulama re-vamped her political career and became the leader of the APC Women's Organisation of Moyamba District. From 1985 to 1991 Gulama served as the president of the National Organization for Women (Sierra Leone). In 1992, she was unanimously re-elected Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba Chiefdom. Gulama collaborated with several NGOs to develop the infrastructural and agriculture of her Chiefdom and district.
(RUF) ravaged Sierra Leone and devastated Moyamba District, killing tens of thousands of people and destroying everything Gulama had spent her life building up. When the rebels began a campaign to assassinate every paramount chief in the country. Chief Bunduka of Kailahun District and Paramount Chief Bonai Fei of Bo
were brutally executed by the rebels. When Gulama's chiefdom was attacked and the rebels set fire to her compound and burned it to the ground. Gulama was forced to refugee to the nation's capital Freetown
.
She returned to Moyamba
and began the re-construction of her Chiefdom and Moyamba District but Gulama's health began to fail her. Nevertheless she was able to continue her service to her country as the Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation (SLEDIC) (1994–1996) and as one of the directors of The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited.
and the Order of the Rokel Award from President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.
. At the service she was described as "a woman of substance," by President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah who added:
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Ella Koblo Gulama (26 January 1921 - 10 September 2006) was a Sierra Leonean paramount chief
Paramount chief
A paramount chief is the highest-level traditional chief or political leader in a regional or local polity or country typically administered politically with a chief-based system. This definition is used occasionally in anthropological and archaeological theory to refer to the rulers of multiple...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. In 1957, she became the first elected female Member of Parliament in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and all of sub-Saharan Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. She was re-elected in 1962. During the government of Milton Margai
Milton Margai
Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai was a Sierra Leonean politician and the first prime minister of Sierra Leone...
, Gulama became Sierra Leone and sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
's first female Cabinet Minister.
Gulama was represented Sierra Leone abroad and her travels took her all over Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. In 1957 as a guest of the State Department, she toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for 4 months during which met with Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
.
Early life and education
On January 21, 1921, Gulama was born into one of Sierra Leone's most powerful families in the town of MoyambaMoyamba
Moyamba is the capital and largest city of Moyamba District, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, with a population of 11,485 in the 2004 census. The city is about 48 miles southeast of the capital, Freetown. The population of the city is ethnically diverse although the Mende people make up...
, Moyamba District
Moyamba District
Moyamba District is a district in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone with a population of 260,910 in the 2004 census. Its capital and largest city is Moyamba. The other major towns include Njala, Rotifunk and Shenge...
in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
. Her mother was Lucy Gulama
Lucy Gulama
Madam Lucy Gulama was the wife of Sierra Leonean Paramount Chief Julius Gulama.Madam Lucie was the matriarch one of Sierra Leone's most powerful noble families...
and her father Paramount Chief Julius Gulama
Julius Gulama
style="float:right;"|Paramount Chief Julius Gulama was a Sierra Leonean paramount chief and politician. He was one of the founding members of the Sierra Leone People's Party. He was the father of Ella Koblo Gulama....
were both ethnic Mende
Mende people
The Mende people are one of the two largest and most dominant ethnic group in Sierra Leone, along with the Temne. The Mende make up 30% of Sierra Leone's total population or 1,932,015 members...
s. Like his father, Paramount Chief Momoh Gulama
Momoh Gulama
Paramount Chief Julius Gulama was a famous Sierra Leonean paramount chief who ruled Kaiyamba Chiefdom in Moyamba District.Momoh was born in Moyamba, Moyamba District in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone. He is the father of Paramount Chief Julius Gulama and Paramount Chief Madam Ella Koblo...
, Julius was Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba Chiefdom. Gulama's sister Komeh
Komeh Gulama Lansana
Komeh Gulama Lansana is the widow of Brigadier David Lansana, former Commander of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. She is the daughter of Paramount Chief Julius Gulama and the sister of one of Sierra Leone's foremost women leaders Paramount Chief Madam Ella Koblo Gulama.Komeh was born in Moyamba,...
would marry Brigadier David Lansana
David Lansana
Brigadier David Lansana was one of the very few Sierra Leoneans to be educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England during the colonial period. As Lieutenant David Lansana he was a frequent and popular visitor to the home of Sir Robert de Zouche Hall, Governor of Sierra Leone...
, Commander of Sierra Leone's Armed Forces. She had two half-sisters, Messie Gulama and Yebu Gulama by one of her father's junor wives Lunia.
Ella was educated at the Harford School for Girls in Moyamba, and the Women Teacher's College, then at Fourah Bay College
Fourah Bay College
Fourah Bay College is the oldest university college in West Africa. It is located atop Mount Aureol in Freetown, Sierra Leone...
in Freetown
Freetown
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
.
Marriage
In 1944 Gulama married the powerful Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana IIBai Koblo Pathbana II
Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II was a Sierra Leonean paramount chief and politician. He was married to Ella Koblo Gulama, a cross-tribal union marriage between an ethnic Temne and a Mende...
of Marampa, Masimera Chiefdom, an ethnic Temne
Temne
Temne can refer to:* A West Atlantic language, the Temne language is one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages of Sierra Leone, West Africa...
. Their cross-tribal union was a shining example of national cohesion. The union was blessed with seven children, two surviving, Obai and Soccoh. After Gulama became chief she left her husband and returned to her constituency.
Political career
Gulama had a distinguished career in politics and was a pioneering female leader. Her life was defined by service. She was a member of the Sierra Leone People's PartySierra Leone People's Party
Sierra Leone People's Party is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, along with the All People's Congress .-Formation:...
(SLPP), which her father helped establish. In 1957 Gulama embarked on a political career and became a Member of the Moyamba District Council. She was the first woman to be elected to Sierra Leone's House of Representatives as Paramount Chief Member for Moyamba District. In 1962 she was re-elected and Prime Minister Milton Margai
Milton Margai
Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai was a Sierra Leonean politician and the first prime minister of Sierra Leone...
made her a Cabinet Minister. She was the first woman to hold a ministerial post in sub-Saharan Africa. From 1960 to 1967 Gulama was President of the Federation of Women's Organisations in Sierra Leone.
In the 1967 general elections
Sierra Leonean general election, 1967
General elections were held in Sierra Leone on 17 March 1967. They were won by the opposition All People's Congress, marking the first time that a ruling party had lost an election in sub-Saharan Africa...
Gulama regained her seat and was serving in the government of Albert Margai
Albert Margai
Sir Albert Michael Margai was the second prime minister of Sierra Leone and the half-brother of Sir Milton Margai, the country's first Prime Minister...
. However the opposition All People's Congress
All People's Congress
The All People's Congress is one of the two major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other is the Sierra Leone People's Party . The party was founded in 1960 by Pa Mucktarru Kallay, Allieu Badarr Koroma,Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay C A Kamara-Taylor, S A T Koroma and Abu Bakarr S Bangura...
(APC) had narrowly won a parliamentary majority. A power struggle between the candidates, Margai of the SLPP and Siaka Stevens
Siaka Stevens
Siaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
of the APC ensued, destabilizing the country and resulting in a rapid succession of military coups.
When Steven's APC party eventually ascended to power and began their a 30 year grip on Sierra Leone. Gulama was accused of collaborating with her brother-in-law David Lansana
David Lansana
Brigadier David Lansana was one of the very few Sierra Leoneans to be educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England during the colonial period. As Lieutenant David Lansana he was a frequent and popular visitor to the home of Sir Robert de Zouche Hall, Governor of Sierra Leone...
in his coup d'état against Stevens. She placed under arrest and held at Pademba Road prison for over a year. She was later exonerated and released. While she was in prison Stevens appointed her husband Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II
Bai Koblo Pathbana II
Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II was a Sierra Leonean paramount chief and politician. He was married to Ella Koblo Gulama, a cross-tribal union marriage between an ethnic Temne and a Mende...
to his cabinet. Her estranged husband's acceptance of the position strengthened the innuendo that Gulama's relationship with Sir Albert Margai
Albert Margai
Sir Albert Michael Margai was the second prime minister of Sierra Leone and the half-brother of Sir Milton Margai, the country's first Prime Minister...
was mouch more than a professional one. Gulama was briefly forced into political exile after Sir Albert Margai lost power.
In the early 1970s Gulama re-vamped her political career and became the leader of the APC Women's Organisation of Moyamba District. From 1985 to 1991 Gulama served as the president of the National Organization for Women (Sierra Leone). In 1992, she was unanimously re-elected Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba Chiefdom. Gulama collaborated with several NGOs to develop the infrastructural and agriculture of her Chiefdom and district.
Sierra Leone Civil War
The mercenary Revolutionary United FrontRevolutionary United Front
The Revolutionary United Front was a rebel army that fought a failed eleven-year war in Sierra Leone, starting in 1991 and ending in 2002. It later developed into a political party, which existed until 2007...
(RUF) ravaged Sierra Leone and devastated Moyamba District, killing tens of thousands of people and destroying everything Gulama had spent her life building up. When the rebels began a campaign to assassinate every paramount chief in the country. Chief Bunduka of Kailahun District and Paramount Chief Bonai Fei of Bo
Bo, Sierra Leone
Bo is the second largest city in Sierra Leone and the largest city in the Southern Province. It lies about 164 miles south-east of Freetown and had a population 149,957 in the 2004 census, with a current estimate is 231,494 . The city serve as the capital and administrative center of Bo District...
were brutally executed by the rebels. When Gulama's chiefdom was attacked and the rebels set fire to her compound and burned it to the ground. Gulama was forced to refugee to the nation's capital Freetown
Freetown
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
.
She returned to Moyamba
Moyamba
Moyamba is the capital and largest city of Moyamba District, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, with a population of 11,485 in the 2004 census. The city is about 48 miles southeast of the capital, Freetown. The population of the city is ethnically diverse although the Mende people make up...
and began the re-construction of her Chiefdom and Moyamba District but Gulama's health began to fail her. Nevertheless she was able to continue her service to her country as the Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation (SLEDIC) (1994–1996) and as one of the directors of The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited.
Feminism
One of Gulama's passions was the promotion of education for girls and the improvement of the female condition in Sierra Leone. She served at her alma mater, Harford School for Girls as a member of the Board of Governors. Gulama was also a member of the Sierra Leone government Scholarship Advisory Board and the Bursary Committee of Fourah Bay College.United Methodist Church
Gulama was a Christian and very active at the United Methodist Church. She was Vice-President of the church's Conference on Finance and Administration from 1985 to 1991.Awards and honors
She was the recipient of several awards including the MBE in 1959, the OBE in 1966 from Her Majesty Queen ElizabethElizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and the Order of the Rokel Award from President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.
Death
Gulama died on September 10, 2006. On September 24, 2006 thousands of mourners gathered to attend her memorial service in at Trinity United Methodist Church in MoyambaMoyamba
Moyamba is the capital and largest city of Moyamba District, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, with a population of 11,485 in the 2004 census. The city is about 48 miles southeast of the capital, Freetown. The population of the city is ethnically diverse although the Mende people make up...
. At the service she was described as "a woman of substance," by President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah who added:
"Madam Ella Koblo-Gulama has lived an exemplary life, as a mother, wife and state woman whose fortitude has earned her high respect,"