By: Amb. Unisa Totti Fofanah
Tejan Ayoub Joaque has emerged as a resilient force in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic and human rights landscape, with a career spanning over two decades of dedicated service to community development, rural transformation, and media advocacy. Beginning his journey in 2005 as a finance officer for Talented Young People Everywhere (TYPE), Joaque played a critical role in youth development until 2011. His passion for human rights and accountability led him to United for the Protection of Human Rights (UPHR) in 2013, where he served as finance officer until 2015. His commitment to truth and transparency also shone through his remarkable stint in journalism from 2013 to 2018, where he worked with Radio Bankasoka as a reporter and presenter, winning the Best Reporter Award for three consecutive years.
During one of Sierra Leone’s darkest periods, the Ebola outbreak, Tejan Ayoub Joaque, stood firm as a trusted source of information. As the district reporter for the Independent Radio Network (IRN), he provided timely and factual reporting that helped dispel myths and raised awareness about the epidemic. His dedication to transparent electoral processes was evident when he served as a district incident reporter for National Elections Watch (NEW) during the 2018 elections. Beyond journalism, Joaque served as a district focal person for several civil society organizations between 2013 and 2023, including Action for Large Scale Land Acquisition and Transparency (ALLAT), Search for Common Ground, Land for Life (L4L), Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food, and Green Scenery, all focusing on issues of land rights, peacebuilding, environmental justice, and food security.
Currently serving as the National Coordinator for Community Action for Human Rights and Development (CAHRDev), Joaque has continued to champion development through grassroots mobilization and advocacy. His leadership has been instrumental in implementing projects aimed at improving living conditions in underserved communities. He facilitated the supply of school benches and the rehabilitation of schools across Maconteh Chiefdom. His efforts led to the construction of the Kankalay Secondary School in Makoba and the DAQVAH Islamic Academy in the Mabain community, thereby enhancing access to education for children in remote areas.
Water accessibility, women’s empowerment, and youth development are also at the heart of Joaque’s contributions. He facilitated the construction of a hand-dug well in the Koya community, providing safe drinking water to residents. His work in establishing 35 women’s groups across Bureh, Kasseh, Maconteh, Koya, and Kaffu Bullum chiefdoms has not only improved gender equity but also enhanced local economies through capacity building and income-generating activities. Additionally, he spearheaded a youth farm project, providing agricultural opportunities for young people, and personally helped pay college fees for deserving youths in BKM, proving his commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Education continues to be a central pillar in Joaque’s developmental vision. For the past three years, he has supported all NPSE candidates in Maconteh Chiefdom with meals during exams, a gesture that not only ensures students perform at their best but also underscores the importance of community-backed education. Moreover, he has distributed mathematical sets, pens, and 2B pencils to NPSE candidates in Bureh, Maconteh, and Maforki Chiefdoms. Through consistent action and a clear vision for inclusive development, Tejan Ayoub Joaque has rightfully earned recognition as a true champion for rural development and transformation in Sierra Leone.
