UK Jarra Association Rings in New Era With Fresh Board Leadership

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The UK Jarra Association (UKJA) has ushered in a new chapter in its history following the election of a new Board of Trustees at its Annual Congress held on 6 December 2025.

At the heart of the new leadership is Mr. Yaya Fulo Fofana of Jarra Karantaba, who takes over as Chair of the Board, while Mr. Mustapha Darboe from Jarra Bureng has been elected Secretary General. Their appointment signals renewed momentum for the association at a time of strategic growth and institutional reform.

Notably, the election also marks the return of several respected pioneers of UKJ⁸A, bringing decades of institutional memory back into leadership. Among them are Mr. Lamin Manjang, the association’s founding Chairperson; Mr. Kebba Lang Sanneh, its first Secretary General; Mr. Mustapha Sanneh, a former Welfare Officer; and Fatou Ndow Ceesay, who previously served as Deputy Treasurer and Internal Auditor. Their comeback is widely seen as a vote of confidence in unity, experience and continuity.

Governance Reforms Take Centre Stage

The newly elected board will operate under a restructured governance model designed to align the association with modern charity management standards. The reforms introduce a clear division between strategic oversight and daily administration, in line with guidelines from the UK Charity Commission.

Under the new framework, the Board of Trustees will focus on policy direction, accountability and long-term planning, while a professional administrative team—headed by the Secretary General—will manage day-to-day operations. The move is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability across UKJA’s programmes.

A Decade of Service to Jarra

Established on 15 August 2015 by Jarrankas living in the United Kingdom, the UK Jarra Association is a registered charity in both England and The Gambia. Over the past decade, it has become a key driver of educational, health and community development initiatives across Jarra and the wider Lower River Region.

The association’s impact is visible through landmark projects such as the establishment of science and computer laboratories in Soma and Bureng, the renovation of the Soma Upper and Senior Secondary School library, and the expansion of the Soma Maternity Ward. UKJA has also supplied vital medical equipment and created a scholarship scheme to support outstanding students from the region.

Eyes on the Future

With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh perspectives, the new Board of Trustees is expected to steer UKJA into a period of strengthened governance, deeper community engagement and more impactful development projects.

As the association looks ahead, expectations are high that UKJA will continue to build on its strong legacy while positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of the Jarra community at home and abroad.