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Momodou
Denmark
11835 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2006 : 01:58:08
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CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS AT THE GAMBIA COLLEGE
By Modou Jonga
The student Unions of The Gambia's oldest tertiary institution are at present witnessing a serious constitutional crisis. This impasse is between the students main union and the sub-unions, comprising the School of Education and Agriculture, which has the largest membership in the main union.
Reports have it that the constitutional crisis surfaces as a result of a constitutional review committee initiated by both the main union and the three sub-unions, Public Health, Nursing and Education and Agriculture, to make amendments to irrelevant clauses of functions between the respective sub-unions and the main union.
Foroyaa has been informed that the constitutional rift began when the Constitutional Review Committee recommended among other the shifting of the three most financially important portfolios which are: Nutrition, Accommodation and Health from the authority of the Sub-union comprising of Students from the school of Education and Agriculture to the authority of the Main Union. It is stated that these were under the absolute control of the sub-union since its inception.
In reacting to the shifting of the three vital portfolios from under his union to the main-union, the President of the affected sub-union Abdou K. Touray described the constitutional crisis in these words, "This shifting of portfolios is not only a manifestation of jealousy of the financial capabilities of my union, but also of greed on the part of the entire Executive of the Main-Union."
Meanwhile, Omar Darboe, the President of the Main Union said the Constitutional Review Committee membership was based on proportional representation of all the schools in the college to promote and enhance the spirit of democracy and therefore its recommendations should be implemented in good faith.
When contacted, the principal of The Gambia College, Mr. Badou A. Senghore, strongly declined to comment on the purported constitutional rift. The Head of the School of Education, Gambia College, Madam Isatou Ndow, admitted being aware of the constitutional rift but declined to commend further. "I please really don't like talking to the press," she said.
According to the President of the Main-Union and the affected sub-union, The Gambia College administration has intervened, by setting up a fifteen member committee compromising three representatives from each of the schools. Under the College and three other representatives from the College administration tasked with the responsibility of establishing one formidable students union to be recognised by the College administration and those outside, thereby dissolving the three existing sub-union and the parent body.
The President of the Public Health Students' Sub-Union, Muhammed Waggeh, declined to comment. However, information received by this reporter has it that the sub-union comprising of students in both the School of Education and Agriculture have officially withdrawn its membership from the Main Union.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 37/2006, 15-17 May, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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