By Edward Francis Dalliah
The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Gambia (TANGO) announced a new ten-member board after their two-day Annual General Meeting which concluded on 21st March 2023.
According to their website TANGO was founded in 1983 as an “umbrella organization for NGOs operating in The Gambia. The Association was founded by a group of NGOs out of the concern to avoid duplication of NGO efforts and to minimize conflict and competition between NGOs”.
A press release from TANGO highlighted that Mrs Yadicon Njie Eribo of the Form for African Women Educationalists Gambia Chapter (FAWEGAM) is the new Chairperson of TANGO taking over from former Chairperson John Charles Njie.
The Vice Chairperson is Mr Yusufa Joseph Gomez of the Gambia Food and Nutrition Association (GAFNA) with Mrs Jainaba Sarr Sabally of Future in Our Hands The Gambia (FIOH-TG) taking the role of Treasurer.
The remaining seven ordinary members are Mrs Anna Njie of FLAG, Mr Saidina Alieu Jarju of Action Aid, Mrs Awa Janneh Lewis of GFPA, Mr Babucarr Senghore of YAFSSE, Mr Alieu Sowe of NACOFAG, Mr Idrissa Keita of TOSTAN and Mr Lamin Jarhusey of RFH.
Presiding over the elections Mr Muhammed MS Bah, the President of the Gambia Press Union reacted on Social Media that “it was indeed an honour to preside over the election of the new leadership of TANGO, the umbrella body of all NGOs — in The Gambia”.
He went on to “thank the John Charles Njie led executive for their achievement” and congratulated the new Chairperson. “Congratulations to Madam Yadicone Njie the newly elected Chairperson and her team. I’m wishing them the best of luck in their tenure” he added.
The President of Gambia Bar Association (GBA) Lawyer Salieu Taal also paid tribute to the former TANGO Chairperson on social media, delivered the keynote speech and received a certificate of recognition. Lawyer Taal noted that he was “really grateful for the recognition and doubly so because it came from TANGO. It was a bittersweet moment for me as my brother, friend and comrade John Charles Njie [JC] completed his final mandate as TANGO Chair”.
“JC has done an excellent job repositioning TANGO as the home of civil society in the Gambia in post-dictatorship Gambia,” said Lawyer Taal.
An update from the official TANGO Facebook page highlighted that the second day of the AGM focused on the review of the TANGO Constitution “and a resolution was passed for it to be adopted with necessary changes by the Membership”. In addition to this TANGO’s “Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 was also reviewed and validated by members”.
