Samira Bawumia
Second Lady of Ghana
Assumed office
7 January 2017
PresidentNana Akufo-Addo
Preceded byMatilda Amissah-Arthur
Personal details
Born
Samira Ramadan

(1980-08-20) August 20, 1980
Sabon Zango, Accra, Ghana
CitizenshipGhana
SpouseMahamudu Bawumia
ParentAhmed Ramadan (father) Ayesha Ramadan (mother)
Education
OccupationPolitician

Philanthropist

Advocate
Known forSamira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects (SEHP)
ReligionIslam
EthnicityFulani
Websitehttps://sbawumia.org

Samira Bawumia (née Ramadan) (born on Wednesday, 20 August 1980)[1][2] is a Ghanaian politician and the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana.[3] She is married to the Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia.[4][5]

Education

Early Childhood

Samira began her early education at the Answarudeen Islamic School[6] at Fadama and Alsyd Academy in Accra, before continuing to the Akosombo International School (AIS) and then to Mfantsiman Girls' Secondary School at Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana. She is the only daughter of Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, the former National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Hajia Ayesha Ramadan.[7][3][8]

Tertiary Education

Following her admission to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), she studied BA. Social Science in Law and Sociology and Technology. At the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA),[9] where she had her postgraduate studies, she was awarded the Best Student in Master of Business Administration (MBA).

In March 2023, Samira announced on her Instagram handle with graduation photos that, she has graduated from the University of London, UK with a Bachelor's degree in Law. She indicated that despite COVID-19, she took advantage of the distance or online programme offered by the UK institution by enrolling in a Law degree.[10][11][12]

She is a multi-lingua, fluent in Ewe, Ga, Twi, Fanti and Mamprusi[13]

Recognition

Mrs. Bawumia was recently made an Ambassador for the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and joins the late former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Academy Award-winning actor Julia Roberts, and Grammy-nominated Ghanaian musician Rocky Dawuni to work with the Alliance and its partners to raise awareness of household air pollution and encourage broader adoption of clean cooking solutions in developing countries in a bid to create cleaner environments and eradicate deaths caused by pollution from the burning of solid fuels for cooking.[14]

The African Women of Excellence Awards, a scheme organized by the African Union in partnership with the Diasporan African Forum (DAF) recognized Samira Bawumia on 29 September 2018 in Sandton City-Johannesburg, South Africa for her contribution to peace within social, political and economic spheres.[15]

In 2019, she was acknowledged as the first of seven individuals honored by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) in conjunction with Ashden. This was in recognition of her efforts towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which is to ensure access to modern reliable, renewable, and affordable energy for all by 2030.[16][17][18]

At the 7th Annual Maternity Fundraising Gala of the Ghanaian Women Association of Georgia (GWAG), Samira Bawumia was honoured with three (3) awards for her humanitarian activities and interventions. The awards include the following; The Macon-Bibb County Award, The GWAG Humanitarian Award, and the Atlantic City Council Award presented by the Mayor of the County, Mr. Lester Miller.[19][20] The World Biogas Summit 2023 held in Birmingham, United Kingdom welcomed Samira Bawumia as one of the Keynote Speakers.[21][22]

Humanitarian initiatives

Samira is the founder and CEO of the Samira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), described as a not-for-profit organization established with the purpose of empowering the underprivileged in Ghana through diverse social intervention projects to improve lives.[23][24] In November 2019, she donated library books to Police Basic Schools in the country to inculcate the habit of reading in children. This was an initiative of her 'Library in the box' project which has the objective of making books available to schools.[25] She also started the Samira Bawumia literature prize.The annual literacy prize for young Ghanaians between the ages of 15 and 25 is aimed at providing young creative and writers with an opportunity to share their art with the world. The first winners of the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize were crowned at the Fitzgerald in Accra on Monday, July 27, 2020.[26]

The Samira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects also has the passion of empowering women. The organization has championed visions invested in educating and empowering women.[27] One notable project she did was "Needles4Girls", where she enrolled about 2,500 girls into fashion school to empower them and help in reducing the unemployment rate in the country.[28] She also donated 3,000 Ghana cedis each to 70 women in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana to support their trading activities.[29] Samira Bawumia believes in giving women opportunities to empower them in making a difference in the economy of Ghana.[30]

Politics

Samira Bawumia became prominent on the political scene when her husband, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia was the running mate of the candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 under the ticket of the New Patriotic Party.[31][32][33][34][35] She has been a constant feature on the political scene after her husband and party won the election in 2016 and got re-elected for a second term.[36]

Months leading to the 2020 elections as Second Lady of the Republic, she was seen on the campaign trail across the country urging voters to vote for the New Patriotic Party and her husband as Vice-President for a second term [37][38][39] as well as calling the NPP party to unity in the upcoming elections to retain victory.[40][41]

In 2021, Samira Bawumia and the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana rejected new emoluments for Article 71 office holders which included the spouses of Vice-President and President of the Republic of Ghana respectively, and promised to refund all monies received from 2017 when they took office to date.[42][43][44][45]

In May 2023, Samira Bawumia and her party, the New Patriotic Party stormed Kumawu to campaign for the Member of Parliament aspirant on the party ticket to win the seat.[46][47]

Personal life

Samira is married to the Vice President of Ghana, Mahamadu Bawumia and they have 4 children [48][1][49] She gained widespread attention during the 2016 Ghanaian Parliamentary and Presidential election season. She fearlessly advocated against corruption and the ineffective administration of state resources.[50] https://sbawumia.org/samira-bawumia-profile/

Awards

In May 2022, Samira received the Ghanaian Women Association of Georgia Global Humanitarian Award for her interventions in maternal and child health, women empowerment and education in the USA. She also received an honor from the Atlanta City Council and also recognized by the Macon-Bibb County.[51][52][53][54]

References

  1. 1 2 Gracia, Zindzy (2018-08-17). "Profile: Samira Bawumia biography and pictures". Yen - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  2. ↑ "Samira Bawumia, Biography". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  3. 1 2 "Samira Bawumia Unveiled".
  4. ↑ Nyabor, Jonas (2016-12-11). "Samira Bawumia laud Ghanaians for voting NPP". Ghana News. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  5. ↑ "Samira recounts how she met her husband Dr. Bawumia". Pulse Ghana. 2020-03-10. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  6. ↑ "All you need to know about Samira Bawumia". pulse ghana. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  7. ↑ "PNC's Chairman to retire from politics". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  8. ↑ Asare, Wilberforce (2020-10-18). ""Get everyone out to vote for NPP," Alhaji Ramadan, ambassador to UAE, charges NPP Frontiers". Asaase Radio. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  9. ↑ "GIMPA – Center of Excellence". Retrieved 2019-04-13.
  10. ↑ "Samira Bawumia graduates with law degree from University of London". myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  11. ↑ Dzakpata, Fred (2023-03-14). "VIDEO: Samira Bawumia graduates from University of London with degree in law". Asaase Radio. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  12. ↑ Arthur, Portia (2023-03-14). "Samira Bawumia stuns in ruffled African print dress for her graduation in the UK". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  13. ↑ Adu, Alice. "Profile: All you need to know about Samira Bawumia". Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  14. ↑ "Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves Names Ghanaian Second Lady Samira Bawumia as Ambassador". cleancookstoves. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Samira Gets International Award". DailyGuide Network. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  16. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives top UN award". Graphic Online. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  17. ↑ Starrfm.com.gh (2019-10-07). "Samira Bawumia receives Top UN award". Starr Fm. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  18. ↑ "Second Lady Samira Bawumia receives top UN award". 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  19. ↑ GNA (2022-05-18). "Hajia Samira Bawumia honoured in Atlanta, USA". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  20. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives humanitarian awards in US". GhanaWeb. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  21. ↑ summit-admin (2022-03-24). "The World Biogas Summit 2023 | Rick Duke, White House Liaison for John Kerry, and H.E. Hadjia Samira Bawumia, Second Lady of Ghana, to headline World Biogas Summit 2022". The World Biogas Summit 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  22. ↑ "The World Biogas Summit 2022 | Samira Bawumia". The World Biogas Summit 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  23. ↑ "About SEHP". SEHP. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  24. ↑ Gracia, Zindzy (2018-08-17). "Profile: Samira Bawumia biography and pictures". Yen- Ghana news. Retrieved 2019-03-23.
  25. ↑ "Second Lady donates library books to Police Basic Schools". Graphic Online. 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  26. ↑ "Winners of 1st edition of Samira Bawumia's literature prize awarded". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  27. ↑ "sehp-homeb - Samira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects". Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  28. ↑ "Samira Bawumia Rolls Out Needles for Girls Project In Tamale". DailyGuide Network. 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  29. ↑ "70 women get GH¢3,000 support from Samira Bawumia's entrepreneurial initiative". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-08-30. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  30. ↑ "1,200 women benefit from Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects". GhanaWeb. 2019-07-17. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  31. ↑ Awal, Mohammed (2023-07-17). "Samira Bawumia: the quintessential political spouse". The Business & Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  32. ↑ Allotey, Godwin Akweiteh (2016-11-28). "Samira Bawumia campaigns in Northern Region". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  33. ↑ Boateng, Kojo Akoto (2016-12-04). "We won't forget NDC's lies on election day – Samira Bawumia". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  34. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "Samira Bawumia Campaigns In WR". Peacefmonline - Ghana news. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  35. ↑ "Etse Sikanku: Samira Bawumia – The quintessential political spouse". myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  36. ↑ "NDC is bereft of ideas - Samira Bawumia". The Independent Ghana. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  37. ↑ "Vote for NPP - Samira Bawumia tells Upper East Region". 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  38. ↑ "Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia tours Afram Plains". 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  39. ↑ "Government committed to developing Zongo communities - Samira Bawumia". 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  40. ↑ "Unite for victory in 2020— Mrs Bawumia". 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  41. ↑ "Retain NPP in power come 2020 - Mrs. Bawumia". 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  42. ↑ "Samira rejects new emoluments; pledges to refund allowances paid her since 2017". 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  43. ↑ "Samira Bawumia to refund allowances paid her since 2017". 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  44. ↑ AriseNews (2021-07-14). "Ghana's Second Lady Samira Bawumia Bows to Public Outrage, Set to Refund Allowances". Arise News. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  45. ↑ "Presidential spouses emoluments: Supreme Court sets May 4 to give ruling". myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  46. ↑ "Bawumia, Samira storm Kumawu to rally support for NPP candidate ahead of by-election". GhanaWeb. 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  47. ↑ "Bawumia and Samira rally support for NPP candidate in Kumawu ahead of Tuesday's by-election". myjoyonline. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  48. ↑ "Samira Bawumia, Biography". ghanaweb. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  49. ↑ "Glitz top 100 inspirational women – Page 100 – Glitz Africa Magazine". Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  50. ↑ "Samira Bawumia Profile". Sbawumia.org. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  51. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives Global Humanitarian Award in Atlanta - MyJoyOnline.com". myjoyonline. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  52. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives humanitarian award in US". GhanaWeb. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  53. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives humanitarian awards in US". BusinessGhana. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  54. ↑ "Samira Bawumia receives humanitarian awards in US". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
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