The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has directed the Gambia Senior Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) to immediately halt its proposed Extraordinary Congress pending a review of governance and constitutional concerns raised by members of the Association.

The Extraordinary Congress is scheduled for Thursday, 6th August 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jarra Soma according to a notice issued by the Association on 23rd July 2026.

The notice informed Regional Coordinators that the Congress was being convened in accordance with Article 7.4 of the GSSSA Constitution, following the expiration of the Executive Committee’s mandate on 6th August 2026. It also introduced a delegate-based representation system, with each region limited to five accredited delegates.

However, in a memo dated 3rd August 2026 signed by Alasan Sey, Sports Desk Officer, for the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry instructed the Association to suspend all preparations and activities relating to the proposed Extraordinary Congress until its review is completed and further guidance is issued.

The memo states that, in the interest of transparency, accountability, fairness, inclusiveness and good governance, it is prudent that these concerns be thoroughly reviewed before any Extraordinary Congress is convened. It adds that such a review will help ensure that any decisions taken are constitutionally compliant, credible and enjoy the confidence of the Association’s membership while safeguarding the integrity of its governance processes.

Consequently, the Ministry directed the GSSSA Executive Committee to suspend all preparations relating to the proposed Extraordinary Congress until the review is concluded.

However, despite the Ministry’s directive, the GSSSA Executive appears determined to proceed with its scheduled activities.

When I contacted the GSSSA Secretary General Lamin A. Jammeh insisted that the Association has no intention of postponing the event.

“As far as we are concerned, our AGM and Congress will all go as planned,” Jammeh said.

The Ministry’s directive and the Executive’s response have set the stage for a potential governance standoff over the Association’s planned Congress, with stakeholders now awaiting the Ministry’s next course of action ahead of Thursday’s scheduled gathering in Jarra Soma.

By Ebrima KB Sonko