Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Advisory Council of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has called on members and candidates to uphold integrity, transparency, and decorum ahead of the Chamber’s much-anticipated elections scheduled for September 5, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre (SDKJ-ICC).
The GCCI, widely regarded as the leading voice of the private sector in The Gambia, is preparing to elect new board members who will steer its affairs for the next three years. The Chamber, a central pillar of the Gambian economy, has long championed business interests, fostered partnerships, and advocated for a competitive and enabling environment for growth.
Speaking at a press briefing in Banjul on Monday, Abdoulie M. Touray, a former president and now member of the GCCI Advisory Council, underscored the importance of the polls.
“This election is not just about leadership—it is about continuity, accountability, and the credibility of the business community as a whole,” Touray said, stressing that the elections would be conducted under the supervision of the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) to guarantee transparency and fairness.
Touray highlighted the private sector’s critical role in shaping the country’s economic trajectory, especially against the backdrop of opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital transformation, and climate-resilient growth.
“The Chamber needs leadership that will champion innovation, inclusion, and competitiveness,” he said, while urging candidates to focus on ideas and vision rather than personal rivalries. He further called on members to fully participate in the elections and on stakeholders to safeguard the Chamber’s values of integrity, fairness, and excellence.
Echoing Touray’s remarks, Almamy Fanding Taal, another member of the Advisory Council and former GCCI CEO, outlined the strict eligibility criteria for contesting positions.
“In furtherance of good corporate governance, all elective offices in the AGM are term-limited. The president, vice president, and treasurer can only serve a maximum of two terms of three years each,” Taal explained.
He clarified that only members from Category A (extra-large businesses) and Category B (large businesses) are eligible to run for the presidency, a rule intended to ensure credibility and prevent individuals without established businesses from assuming leadership.
Taal further emphasized that prospective candidates must be fully paid-up members of the Chamber for three consecutive years, free from bankruptcy declarations, and without any criminal record.
“It is not just anybody waking up one morning to say, ‘I want to be president or treasurer.’ You must be in good standing, with proven character, skills, and the ability to uphold the Chamber’s values,” he added.
The GCCI elections, described by its Advisory Council as a test of the Chamber’s unity and credibility, are expected to usher in new leadership that will represent Gambian businesses both regionally and globally.
