HONORING 65 YEARS
OF Freedom, Heritage, AND Unity
Maryland, USA
H.E. Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa Confirmed as Distinguished Guest of Honor
5th Annual Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball🇸🇱
Mousaik & Co., Inc., in collaboration with the Lek U Culture Association, is honored to announce that His Excellency Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa, Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United States of America, will attend the 5th Annual Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball as the Distinguished Guest of Honor…. Learn more…
Daramy Kabba “Guest Speaker”
Daramy A. Kabba is a dynamic, multidisciplinary leader whose impact spans public administration, film, entrepreneurship, youth development, and global advocacy. From shaping national cultural and entertainment policies to leading the Sierra Leone Film Industry Labour and Marketing Guild, his work continues to elevate creatives, empower youth, and drive meaningful change across Sierra Leone and the diaspora.
Meet Our 2026 Honorees
Dr. Mariama Massaquoi-Gartman
LTC Mariama A. Massaquoi-Gartmann became an active-duty Army Captain upon graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2013. In addition to her MD, she holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with certificates in Global Health and Health Finance and Management and is double board-certified in family medicine and family medicine obstetrics with surgical skills.
Dr. Massaquoi-Gartmann previously served as a White House Physician in the White House Medical Unit, is currently the Executive Fellow of the Army Medical Corps, is a Fully Joint Qualified Officer and will assume battalion command this summer in Vicenza, Italy.
Dr. Massaquoi has volunteered in global health missions, primarily in Sierra Leone, for the past 15 years. She is the cofounder of Tenki for Born and over the past 4 years has been part of a collaborative effort focused on capability and capacity building of midwives and nurses in the country to help prevent maternal and neonatal death.
Dr. Massaquoi has five children (the oldest 20yrs and the youngest 6months) and is married to Matthew Gartmann. She is the daughter of Mamie Ndawah-Massaquoi and Mohammed Massaquoi (deceased).
Dr. Linda Muckson Sesay
Dr. Linda Muckson Sesay is a healthcare advocate and founder of the Community Health Foundation, established in 2019 to provide free, high-quality healthcare to underserved communities. Now based in Bowie, Maryland, she has led transformative initiatives, including the construction of a 40-bed maternal and child health hospital in Mile 91, serving over 65,000 people.
Through her leadership, the foundation delivers essential services such as medical outreach, disease prevention programs, and ongoing support for vulnerable populations. riven by a deeply personal childhood experience, Dr. Sesay has dedicated her life to improving maternal and neonatal health in Sierra Leone. In addition to building critical healthcare infrastructure, she organizes medical missions that bring U.S.-based doctors and professionals to provide lifesaving care and training.
Her work continues to create lasting impact by expanding access to healthcare, strengthening local systems, and empowering communities to thrive.
We are honor to recognizes Impact Sierra Leone (ISL) and its CEO, Adama Kalokoh, for their outstanding commitment to community empowerment and sustainable impact.
Impact Sierra Leone(ISL), vision is to ensure that underserved populations, particularly young women and children in Sierra Leone, have access to essential necessities. This vision includes advancing sustainability, entrepreneurship, and public health through targeted empowerment initiatives.
Arqane “Tycoon”
Performing live at the 5th Annual Sierra Leone Independence Masquerade Ball
Arqane, also known as “Tycoon,” born Basim Robertson, is a passionate artist whose sound is best described as “Dancehall With A Difference.” Born in New York and deeply rooted in his Jamaican heritage, his music reflects the authenticity of Dancehall and Reggae while pushing beyond traditional boundaries. By blending a universal, multi-genre cadence with melodic riddims, he delivers a fresh tone and rhythm with every release.
Fresh off his performance at the One Nation Reggae Festival in Sierra Leone and working closely with the Ministry of Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Arqane continues to expand his global impact.
Arqane’s Performing at the One Nation Reggae Festival in Sierra Leone (Nov. 2025)
| About Askante |
| Fatim Askante, professionally known as Askante, is a French-Guinean-Sierra Leonean, Malian singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and model from a renowned West African griot family. She is the daughter of celebrated artist La Diva Diawara (Teningbe Diawara) and niece of legendary musician Mory Kanté, reflecting a deep musical heritage spanning Sierra Leone, Mali, and Guinea. Askante’s selection as headliner carries deep significance. She has been part of the Mousai family celebration journeys, previously appearing as a guest artist at the 3rd Annual Sierra Leone Independence Ball at the historic Howard Theatre, Washington, DC and performing at last year’sSierra Leone Independence Parade and UniFest Festival at the Baysox Stadium, Bowie, MD. Her return as headliner represents both appreciation and legacy, honoring an artist who has continuously supported the platform while providing a global stage for her artistry and growing global recognition of Sierra Leonean culture https://youtu.be/OIgjMYlWAfE?si=vzgaMayMwlZbWR6j |
| About Stickman International |
| Alhassan Fofanah, widely known as StickMan International, is a visionary cultural ambassador dedicated to elevating Sierra Leonean heritage onto the global stage. Born in Koidu Town, Kono District, he is a multi-talented professional juggler, drummer, and fire dancer, whose performances blend movement, rhythm, spirituality, and ancestral storytelling. His creative and professional journey spans industrial technology and expert welding, alongside formal studies in communications and tourism in Spain. In addition, StickMan International is a licensed translator and interpreter, fluent in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and multiple native Sierra Leonean languages positioning him as a powerful cultural and linguistic bridge between Africa and the world. Alhassan Fofanah has dedicated years of service to community development and immigrant advocacy… Learn more about stickman |
Legendary Manzu Performing Live!!11!
Mohamed Manzu Jimmy Rogers, known professionally as Manzu or Manzu Avec C-Bolt, is a celebrated Sierra Leonean musician born in Freetown. Renowned for his unique sound and lyrical storytelling, he rose to prominence as part of the iconic duo Manzu Avec C-Bolt, delivering timeless hits that resonated deeply with audiences across Sierra Leone and the diaspora. A singer, songwriter, and producer, Manzu is recognized as one of Sierra Leone’s finest musical talents, with a legacy rooted in authentic storytelling, cultural pride, and street-inspired anthems that hat continue to influence the Salone music scene today.
Follow Manzu on Social Media Platforms
SONG BY: WILLY JAY ” NA YA” : :
