Meet our woman crush for this week, Diana Finda Konomanyi.

Diana Konomanyi is a Sierra Leonean politician, an active member of the opposition All People’s Congress party.

 

Born and raised in Koidu Town, Kono District, Diana Konomanyi is widely considered one of the most influential female politicians in Sierra Leone. She is a close ally of Sierra Leone’s former president, Ernest Bai Koroma and Dr. Samura Kamara the APC’s presidential candidate for the 2018 and 2023 general election.

 

Konomanyi was the Eastern Province chairperson of the All People’s Congress (APC) for nearly two decades (2005 – 2022) and a champion of the party’s victory in 2007 and 2012 general elections.

Madam Konomanyi is undoubtedly a grassroots politician who is immensely popular. She’s the consummate networker and mixer who’s equally empathetic in her dealings with the general population, as she is comfortable hob-knobbing it with the elites of society. With the mentorship, admiration and support of the 2007 Presidential Standard Bearer of the APC, Ernest Bai Koroma, Madam Konomanyi would rise on merit to achieve several gender firsts in Sierra Leone politics

 

She has served as Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment from 2015 – 2018, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (2012 -2015) in the erstwhile Government of President Ernest Bai Koroma.

 

Prior to her ministerial appointment, ‘Iron Lady’ (as she is fondly Called), was the Chairperson of the Kono District Council (2008 -2012) after winning a landslide victory in a local government bye election in her home town of Kono District. Following the election of the All People’s Congress (APC) and President Ernest Bai Koroma in 2007, Diana was appointed Board Chair of the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company.

 

In her quest for further education, Diana recently completed a Master’s Degree in International Affairs (MIA) from King’s College London and also attended the London College of Fashion in Tottenham London.