By Sariba Manneh & Bubacarr Gaye
Foroyaa Workers Association (FoWA) Saturday held its third congress where they elected their new leaders.
FoWA first held its congress in 2018, then in January 2021 and now in January 2023. The Association stands to promote the general welfare of workers at Foroyaa Newspaper. The group comprises workers from all units at the newspaper company including the printing, layouts, compilers, distribution, marketing, editorial, security and drivers.
The new FoWA executive members are Aja Musu Bah – Chairperson, John Sambou – Vice Chairperson, Kebba A.F. Touray Secretary-General, Fatoumata Dibba – Assistant Secretary General, Hawa Jallow –Treasurer, Awa Dandang Fatty – Public Relations Officer and Binta Drammeh – Auditor.
The outgoing Secretary General Yankuba Jallow, on behalf of the former executive, thanked the members of FoWA for their trust and confidence in them saying the support was massive. Jallow recognized the efforts of the Late Alpha Bah who was a founding member of FoWA and had to serve the association diligently in his capacity as the Vice Chairperson.
“The demise of Alpha Bah is a big loss; his love for Foroyaa and FoWA was incomputable. Alpha served the Association highly,” he said.
Jallow advised the new leadership to always ensure there is a financial discipline at FoWA.
“We have earned the trust and confidence of the members. This, you must not break. Always ensure you go by the dictates of the Constitution and the bylaws we developed to ensure there is financial probity at all times,” he said.
He asked them to always ensure the unity that has been built by the members prevails. Jallow thanked the founding members of FoWA for their initiative pointing out that the office listens to them because the workers have one voice.
“You cannot achieve anything without unity. Our motto is united we excel. This motto is very important and you should always strive to maintain this,” he said.
He highlighted some of the things they brought for FoWA such as the Loan Scheme and the Social Fund. He said the loan scheme has the potential of growing bigger than what it is today. He called on the members to continue supporting the executive so FoWA can register more success.
Yankuba emphasized that leadership is about continuity and he believes the next executive will continue from where we stop. The foundation is already built and its lane is mainly and entirely on our unity which agrees with our motto that is “united we excel”.
Aja Musu Bah, the new Chairperson of the Association, in her acceptance speech thanked the members for entrusting the leadership of FoWA to her and her colleagues. She called on members to give her support to move the association. She promised not to betray the members’ trust bestowed on her and her colleagues in the executive.
“We will do our best to take FoWA forward,” she said.
Amie Sanneh, the former Chairperson in her vote of thanks encouraged the new leadership to be steadfast and challenged them to do more. She asked them to work together as an executive for the best interest of the members of FoWA as she wished them success in their tenure.
Samuel Sarr, the Managing Editor of Foroyaa encouraged the workers to maintain unity and work together. He outlined the support plan the management has in place to support the association in strengthening the loan scheme.
Kebba A.F. Touray, the new Secretary General expressed gratitude to the Foroyaa workers and indicated that they are ready to kick start work to bring more success to the association.
