By Yankuba Jallow
Muhammed S. Bah, a sub-editor at Foroyaa Newspaper was on Thursday, 24th November 2020 elected as Vice President of the Gambia Press Union.
Editor Bah went unopposed and was declared winner of the elections during the 2-day extra-ordinary Congress held at the NANA Conference Hall.
The Banjul born replaced Mustapha K. Darboe, a one-time staff of Kerr Fatou, who succumbed to pressure after a section of Union members demanded for his resignation.
The officials from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) who officiated the election process disclosed that two people filed in their nomination, but was done out of time. The GPU Constitution provides under article 22 subsection 6 that “any person who wishes to vie for any elective office within the GPU shall declare his or her candidature to the Secretary General at least two weeks before Congress or AGM.” This provision was what the electoral officials relied upon to disqualify the two aspirants – Ousman A. Marong and Isatou Keita.
M.S. Bah, in his acceptance speech, said he sees his new role as a position of privilege to serve members of the Gambia Press Union. He returned the trust and confidence members repose in him with promises of making the GPU all inclusive.
“I intend to promote inclusiveness, the welfare of journalists and media workers and strengthen accountability and transparency,” Bah said.
The next GPU congress is slated for September 2021 which means Bah has only 9 months.
