Amadou Samba BA – Honours
Monday, February 7th, 2011Although having studied law and diplomacy, Amadou Samba BA has turned himself into an innovative entrepreneur that all Gambians have come to be very proud of. What Amadou Samba BA has achieved in the short period he has held various positions both in Gambian government and in the private sector speaks for itself. The projects he has initiated has not only positively changed the lives of many Gambians but contributed to the development of the country’s overall development. Having graduated from Jawahal Nehru University in India, Amadou Samba BA was appointed the trust-managing director of Alfron Limited. He used Alfron as a vehicle to establish a business diversification program that saw the establishment of Moskam Fisheries. Moskam Fisheries Company encouraged the development of all fishery sources in Gambia by availing the necessary funds and expertise. This resulted in full exploitation of Gambia’s fishery resources that have continued to earn the country foreign exchange.
Amadou Samba BA is credited with the establishment of GACEM, the only cement manufacturing and packaging company in Gambia. The company manufactures and packages cement both for home use and for export. Apart from earning the country the much-needed foreign exchange from the sale of cement to other countries, the company provides employment to thousands of Gambian nationals. Not satisfied with what he had achieved, Amadou Samba BA established GAMSEM Construction Company and served as its executive chair in 1995. The company undertakes construction of both residential and commercial buildings. It has also undertaken major road construction projects in Gambia. The period between 1999 and 2002 has seen Amadou Samba BA play a major role in the establishment of various industrial projects. The establishment of companies such as Gamco, Gamwater and Gam-Petroleum is directly linked to Amadou Samba’s initiative.
The contribution that Amadou Samba BA has made towards the development of Gambia’s economy cannot be understated. He has pioneered the establishment of some of the major economic drivers. Apart from establishing and managing various businesses, Amadou Samba BA has not forgotten his community. He believes that without the support that he has received from the community, friends and relatives, he would not have achieved what he has achieved so far. To show his appreciation, he has initiated various development activities at the community level. In particular, he has personally funded the construction of various schools for the benefit of local communities. This has earned him admiration from all Gambians.
The contribution that Amadou Samba BA has made in Gambia has been noted and appreciated by various organizations including Gambian Chamber of commerce and industry who has honored him with an award. President Yahya Jammeh has also warded him for his contribution. In 2009, Amadou Samba BA was awarded a honorary doctorate degree in business management by University of The Gambia in recognition for his exemplary contribution to the development of Gambia, becoming one of the very few to have received such award. The only other people to have received such award from UTG are the Chancellor of UTG Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, University of Halifax president Dr Kennet Ozmon, Gambia’s vice president Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy and Gibril Bala Gaye, a well-known Gambian economist.