The Board of The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) has accused the National Youth Council (NYC) and National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) leadership of covering D4.4 million corruption scandals involving the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GYCC, Baboucarr Kebbeh.
“It is of great concern and dismay that a serious misunderstanding has emerged between GYCC and the NYC, which has been promulgated by the actions of the board in taking disciplinary steps against the CEO of GYCC, for being involved in unclassified expenses of about D2 Millions, and loss of revenue to the Chamber worth about D2.4 Million (a total sum of D4.4 Million),” Ismaila Sambou, GYCC Board Chair said in a statement shared with this medium.
He explained: “The first step was taken by the Board in putting the CEO under suspension for onward investigations but the CEO refused to cooperate with the investigation process and got involved with NYC, wherein we were invited for a voluntary meeting. Pleadings were made for the cancellation of the suspension by the Board despite the presentation of all the allegations made against, it and recommendations made for the CEO to follow suit.
“However, the CEO refuses to cooperate with any of the recommendations and further engaged the management in partnership contracts without the prior review and approval by the Board despite being issued several warnings for over six (6) months.”
In a letter dated 26th July 2023, and addressed to the chair of the GYCC Board, Alhagie Jarju, executive director of NYC said: “It is unfortunate though that over the past months we have had several crises that are derailing the achievements made thus far. The Council together with other partners have in several meetings attempted to mediate and resolve the matter amicably to no avail.
“Please be informed therefore that the NYC after due process by the NYC Act 2000 has suspended the Board of the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce with immediate effect. By this same communication, you are asked to surrender all properties of the institution in your possession to the Executive Director of the NYC with immediate effect.”
In response, the Board Chair of GYCC, Sambou advised all to desist from the letter issued by NYC, noting the Council is wrongfully informing the public that the Board of the Chamber is being suspended.
“As well conveying that any information coming from Baboucarr Kebbeh, CEO of GYCC does not represent the Organization, inclusive of our Social Media Handles which are currently in possession of the CEO,” Sambou said.
“The unfortunate actions of the NYC were meant to protect the CEO, who was recently found wanting of fraud, official misconduct, and non-financial compliance transactions, among other scrupulous behaviors. These revelations are confirmed by the recently concluded Audit Reports of 2017 to 2023 of the Chamber, Financial Reviews, and Documents in possession of the Board.”
He further informed that the GYCC or any other Chamber of Commerce is a Private Non-Profit organization registered with the Registrar General’s office under the Ministry of Justice hence it is not allied, under the support or umbrella of any Government entity, the NYC inclusive. He added that the GYCC is a Private Sector Membership-Based Organization.
He assured us that the Board will utilize all possible options to ensure proper accountability, transparency, good governance, and a proper remedy for our internal issues.
“Therefore members of the Chamber and the public are advised to remain steadfast in the spirit of private sector development,” he said.