Gambia’s First Lady Fatoumata Bah-Barrow Honoured with UK Black Excellence Award for Advocacy on Women and Children. By Raymond Enoch
Her Excellency Mrs Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, has been honoured by the Black Excellence Award Group in the United Kingdom in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the advancement of women’s and children’s welfare.
The award was conferred on 12 December 2025 during the Milton Keynes Black Excellence Awards ceremony in London. The Lead Organiser, Ms Nana Ama Ofori-Atta, highlighted the First Lady’s exemplary leadership, humanitarian commitment, and sustained advocacy for social inclusion and vulnerable populations in The Gambia.
The Black Excellence Awards celebrate exceptional achievements and impactful contributions by members of the Black community in the United Kingdom and across Africa. The 2025 edition recognised several distinguished Black leaders and achievers whose work continues to drive positive change within their communities and beyond.
Although Mrs Fatoumata Bah-Barrow was unable to attend the London ceremony, Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, formally received the prestigious award on her behalf.
The honour was subsequently presented to the First Lady at the State House today by Ms Nana Ama Ofori-Atta, a Gambian national and Lead Organiser of the awards, in a symbolic moment underscoring national pride and international recognition of Gambian leadership.
The presentation ceremony was attended by Mrs Halimatou Tambedou-Jawara, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the First Lady; Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; and Mr Suntou Touray, Deputy Head of Mission at The Gambia High Commission in London.
The event concluded with media interactions and light refreshments, marking a fitting close to a ceremony that celebrated excellence, service, and the growing global impact of Gambian leadership in social development.
The recognition further reinforces Mrs Fatoumata Bah-Barrow’s standing as a leading advocate for women and children and reflects The Gambia’s expanding engagement and visibility within international development and humanitarian circles.
