By Yunus S Saliu
The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Honourable Abdoullahi Jobe accompanied by senior Gambian officials, on the 11th December 2024 were granted an audience by three US Congress members, namely Gregory Meeks, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), a ranking member of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and also US Congress member, Jonathan Jackson, son of Jessey Jackson, a member of the US Committee on Foreign Affairs, the US House Committee on Agriculture, and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, US Congress member Gabe Amo, who represents Rhode Island also a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
This was indeed described as a high-powered reception given to the Gambian delegation.
Other members of the delegation to the meeting included Mr. Hassoum Ceesay, Director General of the National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Ms. Fatoumatta Singhateh of the Ministry of Public Service, among other Gambian officials.
At this memorable meeting, the US Congress member, Congressman Gregory Meeks, who is one of the most powerful congressmen in the United States, welcomed the Gambian delegation and expressed the desire of the Black Congressional Caucus, which focused on partnering with the Gambia to relive the spirit of the Kunta Kinteh as narrated by Alex Haley.
Congressman Meeks added that the general State is ready to work with the Gambia for mutual development and Respect. He therefore called on the Gambian minister to convey to His Excellency the President of The Gambia his warm greetings and tell him that the Gambia is always welcome to contact the US Black Caucus for mutual assistance.
Minister Jobe thanked the congressmen for granting them the audience, saying it’s really a sign of the readiness of the US Congressional Black Caucus to partner with the Gambia.
The Minister promised to extend the message to the highest Gambian authority to allow and open the door of opportunities through this visit to the people of The Gambia.
He, however, mentioned, in particular, the desire to invite Congressman Meeks and other members of the US Congressional Black Caucus to The Gambia during the forthcoming independent celebration, for better ways for mutual understanding and cooperation, including the revival of the Roots Homecoming Festival.
Also, he said he would make a positive move to bring the Congressmen to meet Gambians to make the Gambia an epicenter of homecoming for the Africans Diaspora in the US and throughout the world.
Present at the meeting was Mr. Malick Manga of the Inherited Roots Project, son of Ebou Manga, who brought Alex Haley to The Gambia in 1967, Mr. Bill Haley, grandson of Alex Haley, who is also a member of the Inherited Roots Project.
Also present at the meeting were various congressmen assisted by their senior staff including George Gomez Junior, a Gambian and Senior Adviser to Congressman Jonathan Jackson, who represented the First District Illinois in Chicago.
Indeed, it was a great honor for The Gambia government to be received by three congressmen at a meeting that was held at the office of Congressman Gregory Meeks located at Rayburn House Building, Washington DC.
In another development, the Gambia delegation also visited Howard University, a premier black university in the USA, to discuss with officials’ issues related to cooperation in research of the related history and culture.
Notwithstanding, The Gambia delegation headed by Honourable Minister Abdoullahi Jobe is in the USA to represent Gambia President, His Excellency Adama Barrow at the 25th Anniversary of Kunta Kinteh Alex Haley Memorial held in Annapolis on 9th December 2024. Annapolis was the port where Kunta Kinteh disembarked as a slave from Juffureh James Island.
