Sona T. Sesay — Education Leader & Public Servant

Minister

Educator

Leader

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Current Role

Asst. Minister, Student Personnel Services

Education

M.Ed., Boston College

Recognition

Amujae Leader · IVLP Awardee

Who is Sona?

ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR STUDENT PERSONNEL SERVICES
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

Sona T. Sesay is a distinguished Liberian education leader and public servant currently serving as Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services within the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Liberia. With a career defined by a commitment to student wellbeing, institutional growth, and educational equity, she has become a trusted figure in national education governance.

A graduate of Boston College’s Master of Education programme in Educational Leadership and Policy, Sona brings both academic rigour and practical experience to her leadership role. She is an Amujae Leader, IVLP Awardee, Gratitude Network Fellow, and World Literacy Foundation Ambassador.

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Sona T. Sesay, professional portrait in formal attire, composed and confident expression

10+

Years of Educational
Leadership

Key Focus Areas

Educational Policy

Developing and implementing national education policies that strengthen institutional frameworks and improve student outcomes across Liberia.

Student Development

Championing holistic student wellbeing, academic support services, and life skills programming for Liberian youth.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Building strategic partnerships with UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, and other development organisations to advance educational equity.

Women & Youth Empowerment

Advocating for inclusive education pathways that remove barriers for women, girls, and marginalised youth in Liberia.

10+
Years of Educational Leadership

3+
Senior Government & Executive Roles

8+
International Partner Organisations

4
Awards & Fellowships

Career

Professional Experience

A career spanning senior government leadership, executive management, and direct educational service — each role building toward a singular mission of national educational advancement.

Current Institution

Ministry of Education

Republic of Liberia

Active Position

Bright institutional education building exterior with students walking, clean modern government architecture

2022 — Present

Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services

Ministry of Education, Republic of Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia

Government · Senior Leadership

Serves as a senior official within the Ministry of Education, providing strategic oversight of student personnel services across Liberia’s national education system. Responsibilities include policy development, inter-agency coordination, and institutional strengthening in student welfare and academic support.

Provides ministerial-level leadership on student welfare policy and implementation frameworks
Coordinates with UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, WaterAid, and Sightsavers on joint educational programmes
Leads national initiatives addressing student wellbeing, school enrolment, and retention
Oversees institutional partnerships and stakeholder engagement at national and international levels
Represents the Ministry in high-level forums, policy dialogues, and development partner meetings

2018 — 2022

Executive Director

LEAD Monrovia Football Academy

Monrovia, Liberia

Non-Governmental · Executive Leadership

Led the strategic direction and operational management of LEAD Monrovia Football Academy, an institution combining athletic development with life skills education for Liberian youth. Oversaw programme design, donor relations, community outreach, and institutional governance.

Directed the Academy’s dual mandate of athletic excellence and youth life skills development
Secured and managed institutional partnerships with national and international development organisations
Designed and implemented life skills curricula aligned with national educational standards
Built a team of educators, coaches, and programme officers to deliver high-impact youth programming
Represented the Academy in national policy forums and community development dialogues

2015 — 2018

Teacher & Life Skills Programme Officer

LEAD Monrovia Football Academy

Monrovia, Liberia

Education · Programme Management

Combined classroom instruction with the design and delivery of structured life skills programming for Academy students. Developed curriculum resources, facilitated youth workshops, and supported student mentorship initiatives.

Delivered academic instruction and mentorship to student-athletes across multiple year groups
Designed and facilitated life skills workshops addressing communication, leadership, and civic responsibility
Developed programme monitoring tools to track student engagement and learning outcomes
Collaborated with coaches and programme staff to integrate educational objectives into training schedules
Contributed to institutional reporting and donor communications on programme impact

Academic Credentials

Education & Qualifications

2021

Master of Education — Educational Leadership and Policy

Boston College

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Graduate programme focused on education policy, institutional leadership, and systemic reform in developing education contexts.

2015

Bachelor of Arts — Early Childhood Education

Gaziantep University

Gaziantep, Turkey

Undergraduate preparation in foundational educational theory, child development, and pedagogical practice.

2010

High School Diploma & WAEC Certificate

Muslim Congress High School

Liberia

West African Examinations Council certification with strong academic foundation.

Honours & Recognition

Amujae Leader

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women & Development

2023

Selected as an Amujae Leader — a prestigious designation for African women demonstrating exceptional leadership potential and public service commitment.

International Visitor Leadership Program Impact Awardee

U.S. Department of State

2022

Recognised for outstanding impact and leadership through the U.S. Department of State’s flagship professional exchange programme for emerging international leaders.

Gratitude Network Fellow

The Gratitude Network

2021

Selected as a Fellow for demonstrated commitment to scaling social impact in education and youth development across West Africa.

World Literacy Foundation Ambassador

World Literacy Foundation

2020

Appointed as Ambassador in recognition of advocacy for literacy, educational access, and reading promotion among Liberian youth.

Testimonials

What They Say

“Sona T. Sesay exemplifies the kind of dedicated, visionary leadership that Liberia’s education sector needs. Her commitment to student welfare and institutional excellence is truly inspiring.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center

“As an Amujae Leader, Sona has demonstrated exceptional capacity to drive change in public education. Her work at the Ministry of Education reflects the highest standards of public service.”

Amujae Initiative

“Sona’s participation in the IVLP programme showcased her remarkable ability to translate global best practices into meaningful local impact for Liberian students.”

U.S. Department of State — IVLP

Press & Recognition

March 2023

Amujae Leader: Sona T. Sesay Recognised for Public Service Excellence

The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women & Development names Sona T. Sesay as an Amujae Leader for her outstanding contributions to education in Liberia.

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November 2022

IVLP Awardee Brings Global Best Practices to Liberian Education

The U.S. Department of State recognises Sona T. Sesay through the International Visitor Leadership Program for her impactful leadership in student personnel services.

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June 2021

Gratitude Network Fellow Champions Educational Equity in West Africa

Sona T. Sesay joins the Gratitude Network Fellowship, bringing her commitment to scaling educational impact and youth development across West Africa.

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Leadership Vision

A Vision for Education

Sona T. Sesay envisions a Liberian education system where every student has the opportunity to thrive — supported by equitable policies, strong institutions, and leaders who serve with integrity, purpose, and a genuine commitment to national progress.

Student engagement and educational leadership vision

Educational Equity

Every Liberian child deserves equal access to quality education regardless of geography, gender, or socioeconomic background. Policy must be the instrument of this equity.

Student Wellbeing

Academic achievement is inseparable from holistic student welfare. Institutions must address the full spectrum of student needs — social, emotional, and academic.

Institutional Strengthening

Sustainable educational progress requires robust institutions with capable leadership, transparent governance, and systems built for long-term national development.

Women & Youth Empowerment

Empowering women and young people through education is not a secondary objective — it is the foundation of Liberia’s national growth and democratic future.

Read Full Vision Statement Engage with Her Work

UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund

UNFPA

United Nations Population Fund

WFP

World Food Programme

WaterAid

WaterAid International

Sightsavers

Sightsavers International

World Literacy Foundation

Gratitude Network

The Gratitude Network

U.S. Dept. of State

U.S. Department of State — IVLP

Collaborating with leading international organisations in the delivery of national education programmes and student welfare initiatives.

Stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration

Join Sona’s Network

For speaking engagements, institutional partnerships, media requests, or policy collaboration, please reach out through the official contact channels.

sona.sesay@moe.gov.lr

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