According to the Awareness times newspaper, the awards is in recognition of the significant strides women have made in the consolidation of peace and development in Sierra Leone. It states further that, the awards intend to recognize women achievers from all works of life as well as dignified women in the Diaspora.
 
According to the report, the organizers have extended invitations to several First Ladies across the region and beyond. Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma, Sierra Leone First Lady will serve as Chief Patron.
 
However, the US First Lady, Michelle is believed to be a fifth generation descendant from Sierra Leone. According to http://under-the-sierra-sun.xanga.com Obama may be descended from a rice farmer from Sierra Leone who was captured during the slave trade in his farm and sold to North America slave owners in the 18th century.
 
The report says Michelle Obama traces her ancestry back 5 generations to her great grandfather, Jim Robinson who was born into slavery in Friend field plantation, Georgetown, South Carolina.
 
Obama connection to Sierra Leone came to the spotlight during the 44th inauguration ceremony of her husband Barack Obama when her relatives, the Gullah’s, showed up in Washington. The Gullah languange is a Creole-like language still spoken in South Carolina.