Ambassador Dr Saran Daraba Kaba was appointed as the first female substantive Secretary-General of the Mano River Union in September 2011. Dr Kaba has extensive experience in administrative and women affairs from her previous post as Minister of Social Affairs, Children and Women’s Promotion of the Republic of Guinea. She also has a deep private sector background and has taken part in all peace negotiation in the last 10 years within the Mano River Union and West Africa. She also runs the MARWOP NET organisation. In her current role, she looks forward to the Mano River Union becoming the driving force for full integration and development in West Africa.