By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has announced Elizabeth Augusta Turay as the new Deputy Inspector General of the force. She becomes the first woman to occupy the position.
The announcement was made by the SLP on Thursday after approval by the Sierra Leone Police Council.
DIG Turay joined the SLP in 1988 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has risen through the ranks in the last three decades. Until her new appointment, she was the first woman to become Head of Operations in the force.
DIG Turay was tipped to replace the former IG, Richard Moigbe. But Ambrose Sovula was appointed instead.
Her appointment comes as a major boost to women’s empowerment in a force that is still male dominated. The women’s campaign group, 50/50, said the appointment is a progress for women in the Police force.
“We are very happy, we are very proud as women of Sierra Leone that she has been approved as the new Deputy IG. Half a bread is better than none. At least she is near the IG and I’m sure that she will be listened to and she will have an influence and a positive impact on the Police force. She is a mother, she is a wife,” President of 50/50, Haja Alimatu Abdullah, told Politico.
“I’m sure she is going to excel. We believe that there are capable women who can contribute to the development of Sierra Leone,” she added.
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