At least two staff of Gambia Committee on Harmful Traditional Practice affecting the Health of Women and Girls (GAMCOTRAP), have been dismissed while two others resigned, The Voice has been informed.
The investigation also found out that two other staff has been issued warning letters.
The dismissed staff included Fama Barry, a field officer and Lamin Ceesay, a driver, while Tijan Bojang, communication officer and Fatou Bojang, a senior field coordinator officer were both issued warning letters.
According to the source, Omar Touray was employed in January and resigned on February 13, adding that the Institution employed Fatou Mballow, who the source said worked a while and also resigned on May 12, 2020 as a result of “unfriendly environment in the organization.”
The source further said the pair was dismissed for complaining about the conduct of the new executive director, Princess Munahot, to Tango and Baba Leigh, a board member.
However, the source added that the dismissal letter indicates that Save the Children International a partner that award Gamcotrap a project said they “cannot sustain the staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic therefore, some need to be cut down.”
According to the source “When they (the officers) complained to Baba Leigh and Tango how the executive director is administering the organization the current executive director (Princes Munahot), some members of the board were all angry with them leading on their service termination.”
The source went on explained that the dismissals were in contrary to “what was indicated in the dismissal letter” saying “the officials were dismiss due to their complaint to authorities about administration of Madam Princess Munahot.”
“Fatou Mballow, resigned ceremoniously because she could not work with the executive director due to her autocratic behaviour,” the source said.
When contacted for comments, Fama Barry, dismissed staff, confirm her dismissal.
She however said: “my dismissal letter indicates that Save the Children International said they cannot sustain the staff due to the COVID 19 pandemic therefore, some need to be cut down.”
“This was not the purpose of my termination in the organization. My complaint to Baba Leigh, and Tango’s director was the reason of my termination,” she said.
Gamcotrap’s accountant, Omar Touray for Save the Children International (SCI) project, resigned on February 13, 2020, claiming that his resignation happened when the executive director fought him physically by slapping him with a pen on his check.
“This was the only reason of my resignation,” he said.
For her part, Madam Princess Munahot, executive director of Gamcotrap said the dismissal of Madam Barry and Mr Ceesay was decision of the board.
About the warning letters given to some officials she said every institution has ethics that no one should violate. She denied ‘slapping Mr. Touray’, saying slapping someone is human right violation.
