By Amadou Jadama
The members of the National Farmers’ Platform have selected Sheriffo Bojang as their new president to steer the affairs of the platform until the congress.
Mr Bojang was the deputy permanent secretary and deputy Minister of Agriculture under former president Jammeh. He replaced the late Alhagie Basse Mboge who died four months ago.
Mr Bojang’s selection was done at Trans-Gambia Lodge in Pakalinding in Lower River Region over the weekend, and all delegates from all the regions graced the occasion.
The idea of reforming the Platform came barely two years when the activities of the Platform became dormant, due to inactiveness of both the governance and administrative structures. The Executive board therefore raises concern about the situation of the Platform and called for an immediate intervention to address the situation. Hence, the former president in consultation with the executive members decided to set up a reform committee at a meeting held at the Platform’s office in Brikama.
Speaking to The Standard after his selection, the new president said his first plan is to unify all the farmers. “Later, if there are funds from our partners or anywhere, we will go on a nationwide tour to meet the members at the district, regional and constituency levels and talk to them, so that we can all come together and get the Farmers’ Platform to the old days.”
“It is the decision by the farmers and I surely hold it. I respect their decision. I think they have done the right thing by getting me over to the Farmers Platform as their president. I have been working in the agricultural fraternity for about 33 years now, and I have held the position of deputy permanent secretary up to ministerial level,” he noted.
Alhaji Ebrima Beyai, treasurer of the Farmers Platform, disclosed that all the farmer associations in the country should be part of the Platform, because it is the umbrella body.
“I want to assure all the farmers in the country that the Farmers Platform is still existing and is the biggest platform in The Gambia,” he said.
Sanna Darboe, vice president of the Platform, apologized to his members for the statements he made in the media, especially the Director General Saikou Sanyang and Amie Fabureh, Minister of Agriculture. “No one is perfect and there is no body who is bigger than Satan. I regretted my actions and I apologise.”
