GRCS General Assembly Elects New Leadership

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By Kebba Jeffang

A new leadership has been elected by the Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) at its recently concluded three General Assembly meeting at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

In accordance with its statutes, the triennial general assembly discussed the way forward for the organisation and elected new officials that will steer its affairs for the next three years.

The election of officials was preceded by a review of the organisation’s statute by the general assembly, financial report as well as the summary report presented by the acting Secretary General of the Gambia Red Cross Society.

Delegates who participated in the elections included four from each of the seven regions of the country namely; Banjul, Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region, Lower River Region, North Bank Region, Central River Region and the Upper River Region respectively and also the members of the interim committee as per the dictates of the Statute.

In the elections, Dr. Muhamadou Kabir Cham was elected unopposed as the new President of the GRCS. The election to the position of Vice President which was contested by Mr. Jatto Sillah and Mr. Fabakary Kalleh eventually went to the former while Mr. Suaibu Keita went unopposed for the position of the National Treasurer. Mr. Njogu Jeng was voted the Chairperson of the National Youth Commission to be assisted by Mr. Mahmoud Khan.

The election also covered the branch assemblies for all the 7 regions of the country, including the position of chairpersons, treasurers and area youth representatives for all the branches.

Speaking, Dr. Alieu G. Gaye, the interim chairperson of GRCS, described this as a moment of reflection for the Gambia Red Cross Society after a long journey characterized by successes with some challenges. He also said it is a moment where power is given back to the general assembly to discuss the way forward for the organization as well as putting in people that will run the organization for the next three years to come through democratic election.

Mr. Amadou Jobe, head of operation at the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) based in Dakar, Senegal, expressed delight for the successful staging of the triennial general assembly. He said for the past 15 months, GRCS has been working with the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) as well as ICRC through the interim committee on the review of policies, Acts and the Statutes. He urged the members of the GRCS to continue with the promotion of volunteerism.

In her summary report, Madam Fatou B. Gaye, acting Secretary General of GRCS, thanked their collaborators such as IFRC and ICRC for the continuous support they have been rendering. She said GRCS has for the past years been working very hard to contribute to the development of the Gambia in the areas of first aid, harm reduction, disease prevention, beneficiary communication, food security and disaster management.

“The disaster management and food security department of the National Society has successfully implemented food security operation, on cash transfer, nutritional education, and distribution of food items to 2, 100 households in Sami District in the Central River Region, and Upper Nuimi District of North Bank Region. The food security operation was able to reach 16, 800 beneficiaries in NBR and CRR.