As the school academic year begins, election campaign for the Students’ Union Executive began last week at the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) campus in Kanifing.

The portfolios to be contested are the post of President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Sports Coordinator. 
Speaking to the Young Observer columnist, Adama Demba, GTTI Election Campaign Manager, announced that elections are slated for Tuesday November 6th, 2007. He confirmed that four candidates are vying for the post of President, one for the post of Vice-President, one for the Secretary-General post, one for Sports Coordinator post and none for the PRO.

Young Observer also caught up with some of the contestants and below are their views.  
Morr B. Ceesay, who is vying for the Students’ Union Presidency said,“I am studying ABE Diploma 11 and Diploma in Law.  One of my major plans for this institution is to find solutions to the shortage of lecturers in the Business, Marketing, Professional Development and Construction Departments. I will also make sure that there is graduation ceremonies held and finance from the Student’s Union Account and the account be controlled by the Student Union Executive. Student Management Relationship and the provision of school bus and students’ union telecentre will also be among my priorities”.

Alex Sylva, also vying for the Students’ Union President said, “I am a final year law student and am contesting for the position of the President of the union, due to certain reasons. First of all, I want to incooperate the spirit of unity among students and also student management relationship. I will also discourage all forms of injustice and corruption in this institution to ensure equity and fair play.

Pa Landing Manneh, who is also vying for the Presidency and a Primary Teachers Certificate holder said “I want to make sure that this institution has an archive of the pictures of the former Managing Directors of the institution, as well as pictures of the great African heroes like Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela etc. I will also promote environmental relationship between sister institutions like the Gambia College, the University of The Gambia (UTG) and promote international exchange visit programmes. Fund-raising programme forums and symposiums will also be organised for the benefit of the student body”.

Fatou Ndow who is also contesting for the Vice-President portfolio also said ‘I am studying ABE Diploma One. I will ensure that the students are united and ensure that student-staff relationship is cordial. I will also make sure that plans for the institutions are well implemented. Additionally, I will promote environmental cleanliness and make sure that students are exposed”.

Ousainou Bobb, who is set to contest for the post of Secretary-General said, “I am studying Electrical Engineering and I want to develop the Technical Department of the GTTI. I will also work with the administration of the institute to ensure that classrooms are well refurbished and maintained and for the student Union to be publishing a magazine”.

At the time of going to press, Sait Njie, also contesting for the Presidency post and Frank Enuson, contesting to be the Sports Coordinator were unavailable for this interview.
Meanwhile the post of the PRO will remain vacant.