Mafory Bangoura

Mafory Bangoura (akas: Hadja Aissatou Mafory Bangoura and Hadja Maffire Bangura; c. 1910 in Guinea – 1976 in Bucharest) was an activist for an independent Guinea, and post-independence a politician holding the post of Minister for Social Affairs in the 1970s. Known as the 'Women's President of Guinea', her portrait featured on the one syli banknote, issued in 1981.

Early life Bangoura was born circa 1910; her family were farmers and fishermen from the ethnic Soussou people. She learnt to read and write as an adult, as she had not received a western education when she was young. She joined the Foyer de la Basse Guinée, which was a mutual aid organisation for people from Lower Guinea.

Political career

Activism The General Strike of 1953 was intended to force the French government to abide by the Overseas Labour Code, it was led by Ahmed Sékou Touré and he invited Bangoura to mobilise women workers. She was friends with President Touré before and after Independence. She led the presence of women at the strike committee meeting that followed, which was also the first time that women were allowed to be present, and spoke on the behalf of many women, saying they were ready to join the front line and fight for their beliefs.

After the strike, Bangoura was elected to the African Democratic Rally (RDA) as president of the Women's Committee. She also encouraged women to sell jewellery and clothing to financially support members of the RDA.

During this period, Bangoura also organised a 'popular militia' made up of women, who learned to handle weapons and attack their enemies.

They patrolled the neighbourhood of Sandervalia where Sékou Touré lived. Eventually, every major neighbourhood in Conakry had its own female militia. She was elected as one of the seventeen members of the RDA-PDG's political bureau, where she represented women's issues. She was known by many as 'The President of the Women of Guinea'.

Honours Songs celebrating her life were recorded by the Syliphone record label, including pieces by: Emila Tompapa, Syli Orchestre de Guinee, Syli Authentic. In 1983 a high school was named after her: the College Hadja Mafory Bangoura. In 1981, Bangoura was featured on the one syli banknote. In 2018 she was named in a speech given by the prefect of Coyah, Dr. Ibrahima Barboza Soumah, giving thanks for 60 years of independence. On 2 March 2019, prayers were said for Bangoura in mosques across the country as part of Guinea's International Women's Day programme.