Gabon’s first woman Prime Minister : Ossouka Raponda

Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda is the first woman Prime Minister of Gabon (16 July 2020).

Raponda was born in 1964 in Libreville. She is a member of the Mpongwe people. She is an economist by training. She received a degree in economics and public finance from the Gabonese Institute of Economy and Finance.

She has served Gabon for decades.  Raponda worked as Director General of the Economy and Deputy Director General the Housing Bank of Gabon. She served as Budget Minister from February 2012 until January 2014. Following that, she was elected Mayor of the capital city Libreville on 26 January 2014, representing the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party. She was the first woman to hold the position since 1956 and she served until 2019. She also became President of United Cities and Local Governments Africa. Raponda has played a vital role in Africa’s peace and security.  She served as the country’s Defense Minister from February 2019 to July 2020.

Raponda faces tough challenges ahead in her new position: Gabon’s economic relaunch and COVID-19 response.

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