Sierra Leone Telegraph: 12 October 2026:
As we celebrate Black History Month here in the UK, today we honour a remarkable Sierra Leonean, living and working in London. She is Adama Nyama Bah. By any measure, Adama Nyama Bah has lived a remarkable life. Born in Kabala, the headquarters of Koinadugu District in northern Sierra Leone, she grew up in a large family rooted in faith, community values, and service.
Like many Sierra Leoneans of her generation, she had a childhood shaped by the challenges of civil conflict and limited access to healthcare. Yet those experiences would later inspire a lifelong commitment to supporting women and girls whose voices are often overlooked.
Today, Adama lives in London, where she works as a healthcare professional and serves as the founder of the Women’s Health Advocacy Network (WHAN), a charity dedicated to improving health outcomes, promoting dignity, and expanding opportunities for women from marginalised communities.
Her journey reflects the resilience, determination, and sense of purpose that have defined so many Sierra Leoneans who have gone on to make a difference both at home and abroad.
As a Colposcopist nurse within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), Adama supports women through some of the most sensitive moments of their healthcare journey.
Her work focuses on ensuring that patients receive compassionate, informed, and culturally aware care, particularly those who may have experienced trauma or face barriers in accessing health services.
Alongside her clinical role, she established WHAN 2021 to address wider issues affecting women’s wellbeing. The organisation brings together healthcare professionals, community leaders, researchers, and grassroots organisations to tackle health inequalities and create pathways to support.
At the heart of WHAN’s work is a simple principle: every woman deserves access to healthcare, information, and opportunities that enable her to thrive.
Through the charity, Adama has helped develop programmes that support women experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage. These initiatives include improving access to cervical screening services, providing health education, supporting survivors of trauma, and creating opportunities for women to gain new skills and greater economic independence.
The charity’s work extends beyond healthcare alone. WHAN also supports women who are rebuilding their lives after difficult circumstances by connecting them with training, mentoring, and development opportunities. These programmes help participants strengthen their confidence, access employment opportunities, and make informed decisions about their future.
Many of the service users are African women, as the charity operates from Southwark, the London Borough with the highest proportion of Black African residents in the UK.
A key part of Adama’s leadership has been her commitment to collaboration. She works closely with community organisations that have deep local knowledge and trusted relationships but may lack specialist expertise or resources.
By sharing knowledge, providing mentorship, and building partnerships, she helps strengthen the capacity of organisations working directly with vulnerable groups.
Her influence can also be seen in the many individuals she has mentored over the years. From aspiring community leaders to grassroots advocates, Adama has supported people in developing the skills required to lead projects, manage organisations, and deliver meaningful change within their communities.
This combination of professional expertise and community engagement has earned widespread recognition. Recently, Adama was shortlisted for a prestigious Nursing Times award that celebrates individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable impact on patient care.
The nomination highlighted her work in improving access to women’s healthcare services, supporting survivors of trauma, and creating collaborative networks that help people navigate complex challenges.
The recognition reflects a broader truth about her contribution. Rather than focusing solely on individual support, Adama has consistently sought to build systems and partnerships that create lasting change.
Research and advocacy have also become important aspects of her work. By contributing to discussions on health inequality and sharing insights from both professional practice and lived experience, she has helped raise awareness of the challenges women face when seeking support due to cultural, social, and economic barriers.
Her efforts have encouraged important conversations within communities about health, well-being, and the need to seek help when needed. Equally significant is her work engaging men and community leaders as partners in these discussions, helping to create a shared understanding of how stronger support networks benefit everyone.
For Sierra Leoneans, Adama’s story offers a powerful example of how personal experiences can become a force for positive change. It is a story that connects Sierra Leone to the wider world while remaining grounded in the values of service, compassion, and community.
From her beginnings in Kabala, Sierra Leone to her leadership within the UK’s NHS and the Women’s Health Advocacy Network, Adama has dedicated her life to helping others access the support, care, and opportunities they deserve.
Adama’s work continues to touch lives across communities, demonstrating that meaningful change often begins with a commitment to serve others and a belief that every person deserves to be heard, valued, and supported.
Her story is one of service, resilience, and purpose. For Sierra Leoneans at home and across the diaspora, Adama’s work demonstrates how one person’s commitment to community can create opportunities and lasting impact for countless others.
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