A seven-member new board of directors for the Gambia International Airlines (GIA) was recently inaugurated during a ceremony held at the company's head office at the Banjul International Airport.

The new board is now under the chairmanship of Professor Muhammed M.O. Kah, vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia. Other members include: Isatou Auber, permanent secretary, Office of the President; permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Baboucarr Sanyang; managing director Gamtel/Gamcel, Abdoulie E Jammeh; the director general of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Bakary Nyassi; managing director of the Gambia International Airlines (GIA); and Omar B. Ceesay, a staff representative to the board.

"The new chairman congratulated and thanked the new board members for accepting to serve in this capacity during the ceremony, and urged them to give their unflinching support to the management in their quest to develop the company," reads a release sent to the Daily Observer.

"The chair equally urged the management to constantly put the board in the communication loop for timely advice on matters requiring the board's intervention. The chairman suggested the formation of the board sub-committee, to save time and be more effective in governance and fiduciary responsibilities," it concluded.

The new chairman, according to the release, also used the opportunity to thank his predecessor and her team for fulfilling their roles and support to the national airline during their tenure as directors.

The managing director of GIA, Bakary Nyassi and other board members, who spoke at the ceremony, all expressed delight at the appointment and thanked the Gambian leader for the trust and confidence reposed in them. Members also pledged to give their best in the discharge of their various responsibilities to the company.