Alhaji Maddi Bangura has received the Akif Manaf Health and Peace Award in recognition of his contributions to sports development, youth empowerment, healthy living and women’s economic advancement in Sierra Leone.
Bangura was honoured for his efforts to engage street children and young people from disadvantaged communities in sports, while creating opportunities for education, professional training and international employment.
He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting and Finance from the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, and currently serves as Deputy Director of Finance at the National Sports Authority (NSA), a position he attained in 2025.
As Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Gymnastics Federation, he has supported training and scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged boys and girls, helping several young people pursue education abroad and secure employment internationally.
He is also co-founder of Afri Talent Academy SL, through which he promotes young sporting talents. In 2025, he facilitated the visit of three international scouts from England, Portugal and Denmark, leading to the identification of 16 promising young athletes across the country.
Beyond sports, Bangura chairs Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub – Sierra Leone (ADFH-SL), where he promotes African fashion, supports local creativity and advances women’s professional and economic empowerment. He has also helped young graphic designers develop their talents and access employment opportunities.
The Akif Manaf Health and Peace Award recognises individuals and organisations making contributions to health, peace and human development worldwide. Sierra Leone joins countries including Italy, France, Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan, Russia, the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina among its recipients.
The award is promoted by the Healthy Living Foundation, which champions healthy lifestyles, sports development, peaceful communities and environmental protection through initiatives including its Healthy Living Village in Peace project.
