HER EXCELLENCY HAJA ISHATA THOMAS – AMBASSADOR TO THE STATE OF KUWAIT
Haja Ishata Thomas Nee (Sillah), born in Kabala in 1956, completed both Primary and Secondary Education in Kabala, Koinadugu District from 1961-1974. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master degree from Njala University in 1978 and 2001, respectively. She has 40 years of experience of uninterrupted service in the field of Education.
Upon graduation from Njala University in 1978, she served as a Teaching Assistant in Kabala Secondary School from 1978-1979. During this period, she worked assiduously in administering disciplined and contributed to human capacity building.
In 1980, Haja Thomas was appointed as the pioneering Principal for Ansarul Islamic School for Girls in Kono. During the period, she became a beacon of hope in providing counselling and mentorship to girls, contributed immensely to changing the negative attitude of parents toward girls Education in Kono, thus succeeded in promoting the enrollment and retention of girls in school, instituted and maintained discipline at the same time. She was also responsible to interpret and implement government policies bordering on Education. Mrs Thomas demonstrated a high sense of diligence, commitment and dedication to duty, diligently serving in this capacity from 1980-1992.
In 1993, after relocating to Freetown, Mrs Thomas gained employment at the Milton Margai College of Education Science and Technology (MMCET) as a Senior Administrative Officer. In her duties as a Senior Administrative officer, she was in charge of internal and Public Examinations, where she conducted quality credible examinations, provided a detailed report at administrative and academic board meetings, coordinate and cooperate with the external examining body (NCTVA) and published internal examination results. In her capacity as a Senior Administrative Assistant, she demonstrated her endurance to work under pressure, completed time-bound activities and contributed to building a good image of the institution. She served in this capacity from 1993-2000. Mrs Thomas also served as Senior Lecturer (Chemistry) at the same institution from 2000-2004.
In 2004, Mrs Thomas was appointed as the Professional and Administrative Head of the then newly formed Murray Town Army Municipal Secondary School by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology. Her selection was not unconnected to her proven record, analytical in her approach and enviable leadership skills coupled with her immense contribution to the human capital development in Sierra Leone. In her duties as a Professional and Administrative Head, she greatly supported and enhanced the enrollment and retention of boys and girls in school within its environs. Haja Ishata Thomas accomplished enviable infrastructural developments, produced commendable results at public examinations, delegate and monitor delivery of responsibilities, ensure effective teaching and learning environment. She played a key role in upgrading the school to Senior Secondary school. There she served from 2004-2018.
In her quest in contributing to the human capacity development of the country, she was the founder and Chairlady of the Badainya Women’s Association. Her duties included, but not limited to, advocating for support and development; providing counselling to students and teachers, seeking support from development partners in awarding scholarships to best-performing girls in NPSE and BECE in 10 communities in Koinadugu and which was later extended to Kono District, training heads of schools on teachers’ code of conduct, engaging paramount chiefs and community stakeholders on girls’ education, and also advocating and sponsoring increased enrollment, retention and completion of Girls-Child Education in Koinadugu and Kono District.
Mrs Thomas also served as Chief Examiner for WAEC. Her duties involved attending international conferences to standardize marking schemes and moderate WASSCE questions in Chemistry and also coordinate and supervise marking exercise in Sierra Leone from 2001-2018.
Mrs Thomas also served as the National Secretary for the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association Sierra Leone (FOMWASAL).
During and after the Ebola outbreak, Mrs Thomas participated in the Emergency radio teaching program organized by the Ministry of Education and also contributed to developing the National Accelerated Curriculum after the Ebola outbreak.
Given her commitment to strengthening the Human Capital Development, particularly the girl child, His Excellency the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio, in 2018, appointed Haja Ishata Thomas as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Kuwait with multiple accreditations to the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Jordan.
HER EXCELLENCY HAJA ISHATA THOMAS – AMBASSADOR TO THE STATE OF KUWAIT