Madam Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, is the recipient of this year's 'Distinguished Achievement Award in Governance' at the African Women Leadership Award 2009 (AWLA) held on Saturday the 15th March at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria.

The African Women of Influence and Leadership Award recognises and honours the works of remarkable African women leaders who are pioneers of social, economic and political change in African countries and around the world. A press release from the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly stated that the award was received on behalf of the Honourable Speaker by the Gambian High Commissioner in Abuja, Nigeria, H.E. Mrs Angela B. Colley at a colourful ceremony attended by several leading African women, notably, H.E. The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajia Dr Turai Umaru Yar'Adua, the Mozambian Prime Minister, Her Excellency Luisa Diogo, Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor, former Liberian  First Lady and Ms. Joyce R. Aryee, president and CEO, Ghana Chamber of Mines.

The award, according to the release, shines the spotlight on the most enterprising and influential African female executives, business owners and community leaders, who do not only have extraordinary achievement as individuals but whose work have also contributed immensely to the betterment of society and inspired countless others. "Therefore, this award was in recognition of Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay's outstanding contributions to governance, African women's development and her extraordinary achievements as a pioneer of social, economic and political change in Africa," the release noted.

The Honourable Speaker, the release further indicated, has dedicated this award to His Excellency Professor Dr. Alhaji Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia,  whose distinguished leadership and support for women empowerment has placed many women in key government positions. "Therefore, the Honourable Speaker is greatly indebted to the president, for without his support and confidence in her by appointing her to such a position, she would not have been the recipient of this award," the release concluded.