About BWUWA
A Union of Faith · A Fellowship of Sisterhood · A Force for the Gospel
Our Story
History of BWUWA
The Baptist Women's Union of West Africa (BWUWA) was established in 1999 by the then President of the Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA), Alice Donkor (now late), during its first meeting in Togo.
As the Baptist church grew rapidly across West Africa, women in the region recognized the need for a dedicated sub-regional body that could address the unique challenges, languages, and cultural realities of West African Baptist women — both English and French speaking.
BWUWA was established as a sub-regional union under BWUA, bringing together nations of West Africa in a common bond of faith, prayer, and mission. From its earliest days, the Union has championed women's discipleship, community outreach, and evangelism across the region.
Today, BWUWA holds biennial conferences hosted on rotation among member nations, gathering hundreds of delegates to pray, plan, and recommit to Kingdom work in West Africa and beyond.
Our Purpose
Mission, Vision & Core Values
Our Mission
"Networking Baptist Women to Impact West Africa for Christ."
We connect Baptist women across 11 West African nations, equipping them for prayer, discipleship, evangelism, and community transformation in the name of Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
"Women rising together to transform West Africa through the power of the Gospel."
We envision a West Africa where every Baptist woman is empowered, every community is touched by Christ's love, and every generation is discipled in the faith.
Core Values
Faith
Rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus Christ, we anchor every activity in prayer and dependence on God.
Unity
Bridging language, culture, and national borders, we are one family in Christ across 11 nations.
Service
Following the example of Christ, we serve the marginalized, imprisoned, poor, and vulnerable in our communities.
Empowerment
We raise up women as leaders, disciples, and change-agents equipped to transform families and society.
Our Team
Leadership
BWUWA is led by dedicated women called to serve the Baptist women of West Africa with wisdom, faith, and vision.
Julie Sesay
President, BWUWA (2022 – Present)
Leading BWUWA since 2022 and representing West African Baptist women at the continental level as Vice President for Western Africa within the Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA).
BWUWA Executive Officers
For up-to-date leadership information, contact us.
National Presidents & Country Representatives
Photos for Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso are provisional and will be corrected once confirmed.
Past Presidents & Secretaries/Treasurers
Patricia Osei-Bonsu — Ghana
First BWUWA President · Sec/Treasurer: Motunrayo Adegbilero (Nigeria)
Felicite Onibon — Benin
Sec/Treasurer: Dns Biodun Olusipo (Nigeria)
Mydea White Simons — Liberia
Julie Sesay — Sierra Leone
Sec/Treasurer: Matilda Dumbuya (Sierra Leone)
BWUWA was established in 1999 by Alice Donkor (now late), then President of the Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA), during its first meeting in Togo.
Our Reach
11 Member Nations
BWUWA uniquely bridges English and French-speaking nations of West Africa — a testament to the unifying power of the Gospel across cultural boundaries.
A unique bilingual fellowship: BWUWA is distinctive among sub-regional bodies in that its member nations are both English and French speaking. This diversity is not a challenge — it is a strength, reflecting the breadth of God's Kingdom across West Africa.
Our Place in the Global Church
Organizational Structure
BWUWA is part of a global family of Baptist women's organizations, connected through the Baptist World Alliance.
Baptist World Alliance (BWA)
Global fellowship of Baptist conventions worldwide
BWA Women's Department (BWAWD)
International women's ministry of the BWA
Baptist Women's Union of Africa (BWUA)
Continental union for Africa — 30+ nations
BWUWA
Sub-regional union — 11 West African nations
National Baptist Women's Unions
Country-level organizations in each member nation
How We Are Governed
Governance
BWUWA is governed by a Statutes document and accompanying Internal Regulations, approved and amended by the Continental Conference, that set out our purpose, membership, leadership structure, and day-to-day operations.
- Object/Purpose — to unite Baptist women in West Africa for prayer, missions, discipleship, and service.
- Membership — national Baptist women's unions from West African countries; individuals join through their national union.
- Organization & Officers — an Executive Committee elected every five years at the BWUA Continental Conference by a Nominating Committee, with ex-officio members from the BWA Women's Department. The President is chosen by regional rotation, and her country typically hosts the next Continental Conference.
- Meetings — a Continental Conference/General Meeting held every five years. The 2022–2026 Executive Committee is serving a four-year term to align with the All Africa Baptist Fellowship cycle before reverting to the standard five-year term under Article VIII.
- Amendments — Statutes are amended by the Continental Conference. Article VIII covers elections and terms; Article VII covers meetings and presidential appointment.
- Executive Committee duties — planning conferences, coordinating missions, and managing funds between Conferences
- National unions — each member country sends delegates and reports
- Committees — missions, evangelism, literacy, health, and leadership training
- Finances — dues from national unions, offerings, and BWA support
- Meetings — the Executive meets between Conferences, with quorum and voting rules set by the Executive
- Discipline — a process for disputes, aligned with Baptist polity and BWA Women's Department guidelines
Note: This overview reflects the general framework of BWUA/BWUWA governance as described in Continental Conference resolutions and BWA Women's Department references. For the authoritative, current text of the Statutes and Internal Regulations, please consult your national union or the BWUA Executive.