The Gambia: Gambia Consultative Council (GCC) for return to democracy and rule of law -GCC Organization Officially Launched

Background

The Gambia Consultative Council (GCC) is a two-year effort designed to bring Gambians and Gambian organizations around the world into a single unitary organization. The objective of GCC is to harness the collective force of Gambians around the globe in order to work collectively in the effort to restore democracy and the rule of law in the Gambia. The rationale behind the creation of GCC is that Gambians are stronger working together than divided into various regional and narrow interest groups. It is hoped that Gambians and  different Gambian organizations around the globe would coalesce around the single objective that addresses the concerns and interests of Gambians in the effort to peacefully effectuate rapid political change in Gambia. GCC consists of a comprehensive list of unaffiliated Gambians and Gambian groups around the globe, and the organization provides every Gambians with a unique opportunity to participate directly in the democratic political process.

Objective

At the beginning of 2013, GCC formed an Ad Hoc Committee to help define the aims, objectives and organizational structure of the new organization. After several meetings, the Committee successfully concluded its activities. The next phase of GCC was to elect from among its listserv membership, a select group of exemplary and illustrious Gambians, who would be charged with the responsibility to lead GCC’s effort to bring about a peaceful political transition in Gambia. However, after much thoughtful deliberation, the election of GCC leaders was deemed to be counterproductive to GCC’s aim of unifying Gambians everywhere into a coordinated and productive monolithic organization. It was, therefore, decided to nominate Gambians with internationally recognizable resumes and impeccable moral rectitude to lead GCC’s activities. This select group of GCC leaders would spearhead the effort at peaceful political change and speed the return of democracy and the rule of law in Gambia.

Action Plan

For GCC to successfully achieve the objective of restoring democracy and the rule of law in Gambia, an Action Plan is necessary. The Action Plan contemplated here serves as a guidepost in the difficult effort of political change. The Action Plan as designed, is not etched in stone. On the contrary, changes  and modifications to it are necessary based on experiences; its successes and its failures are important contributions in ensuring GCC achieves its objectives. The creation of a functioning organization equipped with the appropriate manpower and financial resources, is imperative to GCC’s success. Consequently, GCC plans the following: (for GCC members only).

It should be noted that Committee 1, 2 and 3 will go into effect immediately, while Committees 4, 5, 6 and 7 will begin work in due course. GCC’s organizational Structure proposed as follows.

Executive Committee

i.          Hon Ousainou Darboe

ii.         FVP Bakary Bunja Darboe

iii.        Professor, Dr Abdoulaye Saine

iv.        Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe

v.         Mrs Adelaide Sosseh

vi.        Hon. Omar Jallow

vii.       Hon Buba M Baldeh

viii.      Ambassador, Abdoulaye Bojang

ix.        Ms Tuku Jallow

x.         Lawyer Assan Martin

The Executive Committee has a choice; elect one from the list as the permanent Chairman / woman or to make the Chairman/woman position a rotating one. The group will collectively make that choice.

Committee Membership

i.          Ebrima Sankareh

ii.         Saihou Mballow

iii.        Yusupha Jow

iv.        Ebrima Ch ongan

v.          Bora Mboge

vi.        Nyanchor Sanneh

vii.       Yankuba Dabo

viii.      Falai Bakdeh

ix.        Suntou Touray

x.         Salieu Njie

xi.        Bamba Mass

xii.       Kebba Jallow

xiii.      Malick Njie

xiv.       Elhadj Tapha Fye

xv.        Kejaw Touray

It is proposed that two people from the Committees list above will head one of the seven GCC committees. The two people selected to head each Committee must be knowledgeable and experienced in the activities of one of the seven Committees they are assigned to lead.

Ex-officio advisory members

Sidi Sanneh

Mathew K Jallow

It is proposed that:

Sidi Sanneh, former Banker/Ambassador/External Affairs Minister, will advise the Executive Committee.

Mathew K Jallow, a specialist in government administration and non-profit management, will advise the various committees.

Important Notice.

It is important to bring to public attention that GCC’s goal is to unite Gambians and Gambian organizations around the globe under a single umbrella for change. The GCC will continue its relentless effort to ensure cohesiveness and commonality among Gambians’ desire for fundamental peaceful political change and the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Gambia. GCC is different both approach and strategy with other Gambian organizations and associations, but the organization is committed to working closely with every Gambian organization in order to bring about a peaceful political transition. More importantly, GCC will not rest until all Gambian organizations around the world, both new and yet to be created, are united into a common voice for political change and both individual and organizational members are welcome with open arms. Individuals and organizations interested in joining this noble effort are requested to send their interest to Senegambia News; under Services, fill out “submit articles.”

Secondly, coordination of GCC’s will be relinquished entirely to Yusupha Jow and Nyanchor Sanneh, both young, dynamic Gambians with outstanding and exemplary characters. Together, and working closely with the Executive Committee, Committee Members and GCC’s general membership, the duo will help direct the activities of GCC until Gambia achieves political change.

Thank you for your time

Interim Coordinator, Mathew K Jallow

Gambia Consultative Council (GCC)

source: http://www.freedomnewspaper.com/Homepage/tabid/36/newsid367/9137/GCC-Organization-Officially-Launched-Ousainanou-Darboe-BB-Darboe-OJ-Jallow-And-Co-Named-AS-Executive-Members/Default.aspx