By Amin Kef-Ranger

Sierra Leone’s aviation sector soared into the spotlight at the 2025 AFI Aviation Week, as Ms. Musayeroh Barrie, Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), delivered a compelling dual message on competence-driven leadership and strategic sectoral reform.

Ms. Musayeroh Barrie, the first female Director General of the SLCAA and the first in West Africa, was a central figure at the prestigious event, which gathered aviation leaders from across the continent. She not only championed gender equality in a high-level all-female panel discussion but also led Sierra Leone into a new era of aviation governance through landmark international partnerships.

Speaking on the panel themed “Advancing Gender Equality in African Aviation,” Ms. Musayeroh Barrie stated, “I Am the Director General, Not the Female Director General,” calling for a shift from tokenism to meritocracy.

“We are not asking for favors. We are not saying give a job to a woman because she is a woman. What we’re demanding is a platform for competent women to thrive and when they do get those positions, let’s respect them as professionals,” she said.

Emphasizing that leadership should be based on ability not gender, she added:

“I am the Director General. I am not a female Director General. These are distinctions we must stop making if we want true equality.”

Ms. Musayeroh Barrie underscored the importance of mentorship and accessibility, encouraging women in leadership to open doors for the next generation of female professionals.

“Sometimes it's not just about referring young women, it’s about inviting them in, having honest conversations and showing them what’s possible. That impact can be enormous,” she noted.

She praised Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022, which mandates 30% female representation in Government roles and credited that legislation for her own historic appointment.

Beyond gender discourse, Ms. Musayeroh Barrie used the platform to showcase Sierra Leone’s strategic aviation reforms. A major highlight of the week was the signing of the Civil Aviation Master Plan with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); a milestone agreement that reinforces Sierra Leone’s commitment to global aviation standards, safety and sustainability.

In a series of bilateral meetings, Ms. Musayeroh Barrie also engaged with the Malaysian Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to explore opportunities for direct air connectivity between Sierra Leone and Malaysia. These early discussions aim to enhance tourism, trade and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Ms. Musayeroh Barrie disclosed that women currently hold 40% of positions within the SLCAA, including technical roles such as airworthiness and personal licensing; a reflection of inclusive policies and leadership.


Yet she cautioned:

“It’s easy to write policies. The real challenge lies in implementation, which requires confronting cultural norms, outdated perceptions and deep-rooted social barriers.”

She called on women professionals to be visible, unapologetic and confident, saying:

“Wearing heels and lipstick does not take away our value or our expertise. Competence should always be the benchmark.”

She emphasized the need for scholarships and outreach initiatives to attract more women and girls into aviation.

“If we want more women in this field, we must open doors; not just metaphorically, but literally. Let them walk with us, see what we do and realize that this industry is theirs too,” she urged.

With six of the world’s ten female aviation Director Generals currently based in Africa, the 2025 AFI Aviation Week marked a historic moment of representation and progress. Ms. Musayeroh Barrie’s voice stood out not only for its authenticity but also for the substance and strategic direction it carried.

“Sierra Leone has been a fantastic example of driving gender-inclusive reforms. The GEWE Bill is not just a law; it is a vision for the future,” she concluded.

Through bold leadership, inclusive reforms and international collaboration, Sierra Leone is fast becoming a model for excellence and equity in African aviation and Ms. Musayeroh Barrie is at the helm of that transformation. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/at-2025-afi-aviation-week-slcaa-dg-hails-gewe-act-as-catalyst-for-womens-inclusion-in-leadership/