Just days after her appointment by President Julius Maada Bio as a Board member of the Guma Valley Water Company, renowned advocate Dr. Nemata Majeks-Walker has declined the position.

In a formal letter addressed to the President, Dr. Majeks-Walker expressed regret over the decision but explained that her refusal is rooted in both personal experiences and her ongoing commitment to neutrality in public life.

“I feel genuinely bad, because my intention was never to disappoint the government,” she wrote. “I was very keen to help transform Guma, particularly because I know first-hand how much the institution struggles with basic operational capacity such as vehicles and logistics. My desire to contribute has been sincere.”

Dr. Majeks-Walker cited a previous experience as Chair of the Hospital Teaching Service, where she was unexpectedly removed from her position without explanation. She explained that the memory of this incident, along with the counsel of her family, influenced her decision to decline the appointment.

“My children reminded me of my current responsibilities and affiliations. As a member of the 50/50 Group and the Eminent Women Peace Mediators—both neutral, non-partisan organisations committed to accountability, peacebuilding, and women’s political participation—my public role requires me to remain above party politics,” she said.

She emphasized that accepting the appointment could be misinterpreted as political alignment, potentially undermining the credibility of the organisations she serves. “All of them—my children included—have therefore strongly advised me not to accept the position,” Dr. Majeks-Walker added.

Despite declining the role, Dr. Majeks-Walker reaffirmed her commitment to supporting national development in ways that align with her current responsibilities. She concluded her letter by thanking President Bio for the confidence he placed in her.