Freedom Newspaper (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Malamin N. Makalo
22 March 2008
In what appeared to be a foiled coup against the Gambia Press Union, members of the journalist body Saturday unanimously elected Ndey Tapha Sosseh, as the Union's new President. Jammeh's sponsored candidates were disqualified well before the race proper started due to their appalling past records and lack of support. The general membership of the GPU refused to allow Pro-Government journalists to hijack the main journalist umbrella in the West African country. Dida Halaki and his group could not made it, as they failed to meet the necessary requirements. Months of well planned coup against the GPU has failed.
The Gambia Press Union today held its fifth biennial congress at the Presidents International Award Scheme at Bakau near the stadium on 22nd March 2008, bringing several journalists together from all media houses in the country.
The contest for the presidency was between Ebrima Sawanneh of the Point Newspaper and Ndey Tapha Sosseh, the out going Secretary General of the Union. Both persons are journalists and are active. The house was divided well before coming to the pools as there were some for Ebrima Sawanneh and others for Ndey Tapha Sosseh. Those who support Madi K. Ceesay, the out going GPU president especially those studying at the Media Agenda, Foreyaa and those using the GPU Printing machine especially the Nigerians got their people under them to vote for their choice while Ebrima was supported by God.
Many had complained that the Madi K. Ceesay era was characterized by poor administration, self interest thus the creation of his Media Agenda otherwise known as "Hidden Agenda." He dismissed speculations about any dubious and lazy act when Mrs. Ndey Tapha Sosseh read their report praising how they did well by training journalists and got money for the union. She stated that their union is poised to do more.
In his own speech, Madi Ceesay reiterated their sordid work and portrayed how hardworking they were in their executive. Others say it was unfair for them to have run the union without some of their members on the run. They should have chosen others to replace them. But Emil Touray pointed out that the constitution does not stipulate for that and they worked under the mandate of the constitution.
Ndey Tapha Sosseh was elected the new president of the Gambia Press Union by 66 votes defeating Ebrima Sawanneh, who had 35 votes. It is believed that many of his men undermined him. Sarata Jabbie Dibba, who did not plan to be 1st Vice president, bagged the position. Malick Mboob became the 2nd Vice President. Emil Touray became the Secretary General of the Union. Lamin Njie 1st Assistant Secretary General, Madi K. Njie 2nd Assist Secretary General. Pa Modou Faal of the Point also president of the Health Journalists Association became the Treasurer of the Union as others opted out of the race becoming an unopposed member. The positions of co-opted members was filled by Buya Jammeh who defeated Amie Sanneh by getting 65 votes.
The declaration saw the hall empty to show people's dissatisfaction about their candidate. Other journalists went on provoking the losers. "We are thinking of the cover up that Ndey would do for Madi since they were in the same executive. We shall no doubt set up an inquiry on them. She would cover that up. I am disappointed!!" said a local journalist.
The occasion was witnessed by over 114 journalists and just a little over 100 journalists were eligible to vote. BT, a popular photo journalist was denied voting rights because they said he was impeached by his photographers association. This was from Emil Touray who attacked him as he saw him in the hall complaining that his name did not appear on the list. "I think it is unfair that I should be treated this way. I have my voting rights. I think it is because I opposed the executive before the elections and I have more to tell them about their embezzlement and misrule, but God will decide." BT cried while going home.
Ndey Tapha Sosseh gave her victory speech saying that she would unite every body. She was for all and not a special set of people. She ended with a secret cry to compliment her victory.
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