PRESS RELEASE
GAMBIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AMERICAS UNITE TO FORM AN UMBRELA ORGANIZATION
When a people are determined to put their heads together and work towards national unity and development, nothing can stop them. Every generation has a moral obligation to think for themselves and determine the way forward for their communities and people. A new generation of Gambians fully conscious of the realities of our time and the challenges facing our nation have come up with a new idea of working together to foster national unity and organize grassroots to strengthen our communities and nation as a whole.
In July 2007, a number of Gambian Organizations in the United States of America and Canada came together to explore the possibility of forming A NON POLITICAL UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION in the Americas. As stipulated in the Mission Statement, the Mission of this Organization shall be to organize and strengthen Gambian Communities across the Americas; through grassroots organization with a clear objective to encourage and motivate all Gambians to join their local branches which in turn will work towards strong economic, educational, social and cultural projects.
We will accomplish this without compromise to our communities, environment and moral values.
PREAMBLE
Alliance of Gambian Associations in the Americas (AGAA) exist to promote unity between local Gambian organizations; advocate for the rights of our citizens in the Americas and around the globe, and to educate the American public about The Gambia while elevating the profile of The Gambia and facilitate linkages between Gambians in the Diaspora and their host communities.
The Alliance of Gambian Associations in the Americas follows the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mission. We are committed to encouraging professional competence and ethical practices to booster our collective will towards national development. We realize that our strength lies within our willingness to organize and break all barriers to strengthening our communities.
The following organizations have strongly embraced the idea, and we are proud to inform the general public that all these organizations have committed to the cause and are actively involved in this historic endeavor.
1. The Gambian Society in New York, (New York City)
2. Rhode Island Gambian Association (Rhode Island)
3. Minnesota Gambian Association (Minnesota)
4. Gambian Association in Toronto (Canada)
5. Gambian Association in Montreal (Canada)
6. Gambian Association in Memphis (Tennessee)
7. Gambian Association in Nashville (Tennessee)
8. Gambian Association in Phoenix (Arizona)
9. Gambian Association in Los Angeles (California)
10. Gambian Association in Raleigh (North Carolina)
11. Gambian Association in the Greater Kansas City (Kansas)
12. Gambian Association in Columbus (Ohio)
13. Gambian Youth Organization in New York (New York)
14. Gambian Association in Cincinnati (Ohio)
15. Gambia American Association in Maryland (Maryland)
16. Michigan Gambian Association (Michigan)
16. Atlanta Gambian Association for Emergency Relief Assistant (AGERA)
17. Seattle Gambian Association (Seattle, Washington)
18. Senegambia Association in Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
19. Gambian Texas Association (Dallas, Texas)
After series of conference calls and painstaking one-on-one discussions and consultations, the members finally came up with draft By-Laws which now bind us together for a common goal. We are now in the process of registering the organization in the State of New York where it will be headquartered.
In addition to our aggressive telephone Out-Reach Drive, we sent out our first press
release last year which was published by several Gambian online newspapers. The
cooperation of the media is highly crucial in the success of this organization. We
appreciate and solicit their partnership in this effort. It is our humble believe that there
are other great Organizations and individuals in all the fifty States who have not yet
come forward to share with us their thoughts and concerns, so that together we
can make history and better serve our people's interest both in the Diaspora and back in The Gambia. Your feedback is highly solicited.
At this point, it is imperative to make it crystal clear to all that this organization does not accept individual membership. It is an Organizational-Based-Membership. It simply means that one has to belong to an existing organization that is properly registered with their State Government's Department of State. The member organization must be in good standing with AGAA in order to receive any benefits for its membership. Individual Gambians citizens are strongly urged to join their local grassroots’ organizations or form new organizations in States where there is no Gambian organization. A community better serves its people by being organized.
In our April 20, 2008 meeting, members unanimously elected the following officials to serve as Interim Executive and Organizing Committees respectively to formulate structures, complete the legal registration of the AGAA and lay down a strong foundation for a new leadership to take over the governing affairs of this organization.
INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. Kabba Joof--President (Rhode Island)
2. Pa. Saikou Kujabi--Secretary (New York)
3. Muctarr Jallow---Treasurer (Michigan)
4. Demba Baldeh---PRO (Seattle, Washington)
5. Sirmang Danjo--Other Official (Phoenix, Arizona)
6. Samba Baldeh---Other Official (Madison, Wisconsin)
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. Ousman Manjang---Chairman (Atlanta, Georgia)
2. Hassan Touray----Member (Dallas, Texas)
3. Pa Lamin Manneh--Member ( Seattle, Washington)
4. Wuyeh Sanneh----Member (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
5. Sherrifo Camara---Member (Toronto, Canada)
6. Fanding Saidykhan--Member (Toronto, Canada).
This communiqué is intended to encourage all Gambian Organizations in the Americas to join without delay, so that together we can make this pursue a dream come true. Be part of making history and let the voices of your community be represented in this new movement. Time is of the essence, we cannot wait any longer. Be a part of those willing to think for ourselves and address our own socio economic problems.
A live face to face meeting of members is being planned to be held during the July 4th weekend celebration in Atlanta. For venue and details, please contact Ousman Manjang or stay tune for announcements during events in Atlanta.
For more information please email us at:
GambiaCommitteeMembersUSA@googlegroups.com or contact the following people:
Ousman Manjang, Atlanta, GA
Pa. Saikou Kujabi...New York
Hassan Touray.......Dallas Texas