Today is my 80th Birthday. I am thankful for good health, and a loving family. What better way to start this new chapter of my life than to connect with the world on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/7yMDzAn3Xa
— Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (@MaEllenSirleaf) October 29, 2018
Can you imagine what it would be like if your grandmother joined Twitter and maybe followed you?
Well, Former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined Twitter on her birthday two days ago.
“Today is my 80th Birthday. I am thankful for good health, and a loving family. What better way to start this new chapter of my life than to connect with the world on Twitter,” she said in a tweet.
The First Woman President in Africa and Nobel Laurette turned 80 on 29th October of 2018. The Former President of Liberia is celebrated for erasing the debt Liberia was in and securing million of dollars of foreign investments in the country.
Ellen Johnson established the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) in 2006 to probe corruption and heal ethnic tension. She fought corruption which was ailing Liberia and pledged to end it by creating the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2008.
Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim, the Sudanese-British billionaire businessman joined other tweeps around the world in welcoming the Former Liberian President to Twitter and wishing her a happy 80th birthday.
Happy birthday, @MaEllenSirleaf, and welcome to Twitter! Looking forward to many discussions on the political participation of women, #genderequality, #leadership and the 2018 #IIAG data. https://t.co/6G2f5PqbQP
— Mo Ibrahim Fdn (@Mo_IbrahimFdn) October 29, 2018
“We’ve been celebrating the 2018 #IIAG launch today, but there is also another special reason to celebrate: the birthday of Prize Laureate President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Happy birthday!” he said in another tweet.
I have been waiting for this moment; the moment when I get to follow you on social media. Happy belated birthday @MaEllenSirleaf! Lots of love 💕
— Satta F Sheriff (@SheriffSatta) October 30, 2018
I just want to age gracefully as you have mum…. when u put ur citizens interests at heart these are the repercussions
— ndinda munyasya (@NMunyasya) October 30, 2018
Nyaanina wishes you a happy birthday @MaEllenSirleaf. #InspiringGenerations You inspired me as a Freshman at Harvard and now you are inspiring my child (on a plane). Thank you for everything! pic.twitter.com/5L3iRCWbkB
— David Moinina Sengeh (@dsengeh) October 30, 2018
Happy birthday, Ironlady! Thanks for setting the pace for women in leadership! You're loved and admired! #forevermypresident 💐👑💞
— Sumon Brahmie Dorko 🇱🇷 (@DorkoSumon) October 29, 2018
Her Excellency we wish you well and have many more stay blessed.
— Yvonne Chaka Chaka (@YvonneChakaX2) October 30, 2018
Happy Birthday your Excellency; I worked in your country for a year-really transformed economy, great infrastructure boom and a restored hope in Liberians. Evident in their beautiful smiles. God bless you as you age with grace, peace & love in abundance.
— Mohammed Atef Lorika® (@Atef_Salone) October 30, 2018
Twitter has for the longest time been known for hate speech and trolling. However, for the Former Liberian President, her debut on the social media platform was met with a lot of messages of goodwill.
In February 2018 Ellen Johnson was awarded the 2017 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. She will be remembered for setting the pace for women in governance, especially African women.
During her last week in office, President Sirleaf signed an executive order on domestic violence, protecting women, men and children against physical, sexual, economical, emotional and psychological abuse.
Ellen Johnson surely broke the glass ceiling and proved to the world that a woman can dismantle the patriarchal seat of power.
Do you think Kenya will ever have a female president?