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Writer's pictureSainey Darboe

‘KSA cannot fail’, Ebrima Janneh declares as he takes on leadership

UK-based diaspora collective, Kombo Sillah Association, cannot be allowed to fail despite challenges, new leader Ebrima Janneh has enunciated.

Ebrima Janneh has been elected Chairman of UK based Kombo Sillah Association

“I weighed the decision of taking the Chairmanship with my recovering from a debilitating illness at the back of my mind. I am thus aware of obvious challenges taking this responsibility. Nevertheless, I cannot afford to see mighty KSA fail because we are bereft of potential candidates willing to take the mantle of the leadership. That will be a collective failure, waste of our time, efforts and resources banked over years. 


Need I remind you that we nurtured and advanced KSA to this level with huge sacrifices. The task was shouldered by succession of membership and leaders that overcame multiples of hurdles to where we are today. And I am in no small measure indebted to them. These sacrifices should be renewed energy for all of us in our quest to take KSA to another level”.


The new KSA supremo called on the membership to coalesce around his nascent administration in order to accomplish desired collective goals.


Kombo Sillah Association conducted their annual general meeting last Saturday, 10th October. The event which was held virtually due to Covid-19 elected new Trustees to steer the affairs of one of the oldest Gambian diaspora organisation in the UK. The association was founded over 20 years ago and providing much needed support to members and non members alike. Ebrima Janneh took the mantle of leadership from Ismaila Sanyang who served as Chairman of the association for the past two years.


Full Speech of new KSA prexy Ebrima Janneh


The Chairman, Trustees of Kombo Sillah Association, KSA, distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen. I am deeply pleased to be accorded this opportunity to be elected as the Chairman of this great Association. I therefore convey my profound thanks to KSA General Membership. 


I will chance upon this opportunity Mr. Chairman, to applaud the outgoing Trustees for their sacrifices, and perseverance to shoulder the burden of managing KSA. 


For a full one year they managed the running of this Association without key positions manned. I recognise and celebrate their selfless efforts. 


I am therefore pleased to pay tribute to them. I hope KSA shall overcome the occurrence deficit of leaders in key positions even though we are endowed with a pool of capable people.


I would also like to congratulate all the members who have been elected to be the new Trustees of KSA. I welcome you all. I also recognise Mr Lamin Jammeh for being innovative to enable us to cast our votes online.


Mr Chairman, distinguished members, as I made the decision to take up this position, I know all too well the responsibility that I will take. I am also aware of the trust that you have placed on me. 


I weighed the decision of taking the Chairmanship with my recovering from a debilitating illness at the back of my mind. I am thus aware of obvious challenges taking this responsibility. 


Nevertheless, I cannot afford to see mighty KSA fail because we are bereft of potential candidates willing to take the mantle of the leadership. That will be a collective failure, waste of our time, efforts and resources banked over years. 


Need I remind you that we nurture and advance KSA  to this level with huge sacrifices. The task was shouldered by succession of membership and leaders that overcame multiples of hurdles to where we are today. And I am in no small measure indebted to them. These sacrifices should be renewed energy for all of us in our quest to take KSA to another level. 


In this journey, therefore, I will need your support, abilities, energy and cooperation. With this, I will urge our membership to not be comfortable to be reduced to being spectators but be actively part of the game.


We will explore to work in partnership with other Charities,  Organisations, Businesses, Individuals, Local Government and Donors in our strive to achieve our objective - to move KSA  to the very enviable top. 


As Chairman, I will seek to restore trust in KSA. I will seek to give the members hope once again that KSA can progress to another level. To achieve these objectives, we will be ready to take difficult decisions. Leadership entails tough unpopular decisions sometimes and I will not shy away from such responsibility when necessary. 


I recognised the challenges we face with Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 is a disruptor and a trauma like no other that we have experienced. 


The uncertainty, looking over our shoulders all the time, social isolation, health anxiety stress, job losses, income stress etc are causing considerable difficulties for all of us.


We usually find help and/or comfort from people around us as migrants. However, it is the people around us that are the threat in this case. But, this is the time we need each other and KSA will always be there to listen to your concerns. 


Therefore, On behalf of the entire Association, I am hugely indebted to Zainab Scattred Janneh for raising in excess of £1000 for KSA to assist vulnerable members impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. We recognise and celebrate young Zainab and say thank you. 


The new Trustees will convene as soon as possible after this Congress. We will discuss policy directions we want the Association to take. We hope to look for the best interest of KSA in designing a new pathway to greatness. Some of these decisions may be uncomfortable for some but be rest assured that we will be open to dialogue for any direction agreed upon at Trustees level. 


We will open up communication channels, create a marketplace where ideas, criticisms, suggestions are encouraged albeit within the atmosphere of respecting one another. 


Above all, I will endeavour to bring KSA together, to unite us - one KSA in which we can collectively use our brains to add value. This is fundamental if we want to prepare KSA to proudly take its rightful place at the top among Gambian Registered Charities in the United Kingdom.


The artificial widening factional schism will only slow the future prospect of KSA. I will take this moment to remind you all that the best strength is the Collective Strength. 


As we gravitate with one voice, I encourage all to be motivated from today and join hands. This of course, I challenge, should go together with unflinching commitment, taking responsibilities, sacrifices and perseverance. 


On that note it is time to work.


I thank you all for your time 


God Bless KSA


Ebrima Scattred Janneh (EB)

The Chairman




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Copyright: 2017 - 2022 | GunjurOnline™
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