The Gambia Micro-Finance Network (GAMFINET) established in 1999, as an umbrella body of Micro-Finance institutions in The Gambia, on Wednesday, elected its new Board of Directors to steer the affairs of the organisation at a General Assembly meeting held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The new members are:  Alasan M.Bah, Chairperson, Mrs Mariatou Kassim Loum, Vice-Chairperson, Baboucarr Khan - Treasurer, Alasana Gitteh, member, Sheriang Jobarteh, Saikou Jabbi and Tijan Banjura members and Secretary-General respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mariatou Kassim Loum, acting chairperson (Gamfinet) said her organisation is a national network of micro-finance associations aimed at empowering all micro-finance institutions in the country.

Alasana Bah of the Rural Finance Project said in recent years, the organisation realised great dividend in terms of empowering its members, adding that a lot of concerted effort was put in a wide range of sectors.

“This organisation plays a crucial role in national development.  A lot of money has been budgeted for Gamfinet”, he said.

In an interview with the Daily Observer, Tijan Bangura, Executive Director (Gamfinet) said, the association’s objective is to bring together micro-finance institutions. “This organisation is the umbrella body of micro-finance institutions. We also aim to create a common platform where institutions can meet and work towards the common good of their institutions”, he said.

He emphasised the various achievements of the organisation in bringing micro-finance organisations together so they can exchange ideas and discuss pertinent issues.

He added that the organisation has a current membership of 16 members.  “We have both individual and organisational membership, because we feel that, individuals members should tap the experience of the other members in developing the organisation and moving it forward in an effective way”, he said.

He commended SDF and others for their support to the association in recent years.

The newly elected secretary also revealed that currently, lack of finance is greatly hampering some of their objectives as they want to provide more services to the people of this country.

The ceremony was attended by members of Gamfinet and its partners.