As in previous years, Deloitte commemorated International Women's Day on March 8th through various activities, demonstrating the firm's care and concern for its female staff and women in society.
On Friday afternoon 12th March, the female staff of Deloitte Gambia visited Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital (former Campama) to donate cash, some food and hygiene items to the management of the hospital to enhance the welfare of patients' health care.
Binta Touray, Deloitte's marketing staff in The Gambia, gave some short remarks during the presentation of the donation, outlining the objective of the visit to Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital. She thanked the management of the hospital for the welcome given to the Deloitte staff and for caring their fellow human beings.
The head of the psychiatric unit, Mrs. Ann Marie Mendy, in her speech thanked Deloitte for the gesture. She said "there are many organisations in The Gambia that Deloitte could have chosen to donate, but decided to donate the psychiatric hospital, which shows their care for humanity and the society at large." She thanked the entire Deloitte staff for the benevolence.
Jalika Sowe, a Deloitte Audit staff presented the donated items to the head of the hospital.
After the presentation of the donation, Mr. Amadou Samba of the hospital staff delivered the vote of thanks. Mr. Samba thanked Deloitte for remembering the hospital again. As he put it, it was not the first time that such assistance was received from Deloitte. He urged that this relationship should continue and called on the public to assist people suffering from similar conditions.
Deloitte's activities also focused on their own female staff: this year Deloitte's West & Central Africa cluster selected female role models from across the region, profiling them on the Deloitte network. The profiles highlight the achievements of these female role models, detailing their career path, work/life balance, given the demands of their profession.
The Gambia Office's role models, Mrs. Aji Penda Sankareh and Mrs. Mamie Dambell, are two ladies who have been with the firm for a long time.
Besides sharing these profiles internally, each of the offices in the WeCA region held 'Ladies' Forums' where the women of Deloitte were given leadership opportunity.
Mrs. Mamie Dambell chaired the forum, stating that the topics of discussion were all geared towards career development of women in the office. All the women present gave their opinions in terms of work/life balance and how they think the firm can help them move forward in their careers and other work-related issues.
The Gambia office's forum started with an opening remark by Cherno Jallow (Audit & Tax Partner). Mr. Jallow started by giving a brief history about the concept of the International Women's Day. He mentioned the immense role women play in society, especially in work places, both in the private and public sector. He referred to the Vice-President of The Gambia as an inspiration to all women. He also thanked the Deloitte women for their contribution in the development of the firm.
