The
Gambia Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria (CCM) recently elected a new executive to steer the
affairs of CCM at a programme held at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
The election of the chair and vice chair was attended by all the stakeholders in CCM.
Candidates for the election were Lamin Camara, DPS Finance; Ousman Sowe and Mustapha Kebbeh of Child Fund.
Ousman Sowe declined as candidate before the start of the election and the poll took place between Mustapha Kebbeh of Child Fund and Lamin Camara.
The election was done in secret ballot and each institution was allowed one vote.
Out of 33 voters, 23 voted, and DPS Camara polled 16 votes whilst Kebbeh got 5.
DPS Lamin Camara was then declared the winner and becomes the new chairman of CCM, whilst Mustapha Kebbeh becomes the vice chair.
In his statement, outgoing chairman Madi Jorbateh expressed his joy and satisfaction at the conclusion of the election of the new leadership for the CCM.
He congratulated the new chair and vice chair, saying “the Gambia CCM is on firm ground” and their PR’s “are performing well”.
He also said they are far advanced in new funding model and with the new leadership, he is confident the CCM would go from strength to strength.
He said he wished to strongly emphasize cooperation, adherence to best practices and the principles of good governance and human rights as guiding principles in the management and governance of the GF Portfolio in the country.
He also encouraged the new chair to have an open mind and to create space for all views to be expressed to ensure that at all times the interest of the country is promoted and protected.
In his address on the occasion, the new chair, DPS Lamin Camara, said he would work hard to continue from where the outgoing chairman has left in terms of efforts, commitment and all that they have been doing for the Gambians.
The CCM or Global Fund would only be sustainable over time if they are able to get the necessary resources, he said.
They have seen challenges over the years, he noted, saying he is coming in to ensure resource constraints are alleviated domestically and internationally.
He said he would work hard to continue to mobilize the necessary resources through Global Fund for sustainable development.
They should be able to take the CCM to another level in terms of resource mobilization, he added.
The commitment of the government in terms of resources should come first in their bid to take the CCM forward and “the Ministry of Finance is ready and will always be ready to support the CCM,” he said.
The CCM, he added, could not make much progress if there is no proper administration in terms of logistical support.
He said he would ensure that funds that are coming into the country are used for the right purposes.
All the partners and stakeholders in Global Fund, he said, would be ready to support and help in curbing diseases such as malaria, TB, and HIV.
