Mrs. Ebun James-DeKam holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Fourah Bay College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education from Njala University College. She began her career in education, teaching at Services Secondary School and lecturing in the Department of Agriculture at Milton Margai Teachers College before joining the Baptist Convention as Education Director in 2000.

In 2001, she joined the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) as Program Coordinator for the Mending Hearts and STAR programs, which focused on training religious leaders, nurses, and CCSL members in trauma awareness, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. She later became the Director of the Church and Society Department and, in 2011, was appointed the first female General Secretary of CCSL since its establishment in 1924.

Throughout her 20 years at CCSL, she earned various certifications in:

• Trauma Awareness and Recovery

• Women and Peacebuilding

• Restorative Justice

These were obtained from institutions including Eastern Mennonite University (EMU), USA, University of Sierra Leone, and Centre for Management & Development (CMID), Ghana.

Professional Services & Contributions:

• Global Reference Group Member – Bread for the World

• West African Regional Forum Member – ACT International

• “Eminent Women” Member – Sierra Leone Conflict Mediation Group

• Executive Committee Member – Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone (BCSL)

• Peace Ambassador – World Council of Churches (WCC) to Burundi

• Trauma Healing Team Member – WCC Council of Churches in South Sudan

• Executive Member – FECCIWA

• Consultant to UNICEF Sierra Leone – Education Unit

Now retired, Mrs. James-DeKam continues to serve as:

• Acting President & President of the Adult Group – YWCA

• Interim Coordinator – FECCIWA

• Member of the Advocacy Committee – CCSL

• Chairperson – FOCUS 1000

She is a Baptist, married, and a proud mother of two.