AFRICOM Elects its first Board of Directors

Philadelphia, PA. The Coalition of African Communities in Philadelphia (AFRICOM) completed the election of its first official board of directors at its regular executive council meeting held on February 3, 2007. The nine (9) board members elected, according to AFRICOM Bylaws, are
Dr. Bernadine Ahonkhai, Rev. John K. Jallah, Mr. Giordani Jean-Baptiste, Mr. Lansana Koroma, Mr. Elhadji Ndiaye, Mrs. Alisa Orduna-Sneed, Mr. Sam Osirim, Dr. Samuel Quartey, Mr. Alou Traore’. The board of directors is the Coalition’s highest decision-making body and sets the policy, strategy and direction for the organization.

The newly constituted board then elected the following officers during the first board meeting on February 17, 2007 at the Partnership Community Development Corporation: Giordani Jean-Baptiste, President, Rev. John K. Jallah, 1st Vice President, Elhadji Ndiaye, 2nd Vice President, Sam Osirim, Secretary, Dr. Bernadine Ahonkhai, Treasurer. The board officers and members serve a tenure of two years. This election was conducted by the Chairman of AFRICOM Executive Council, Dr. Philip Udo-Inyang, and witnessed by two other executive officers, Mr. Vincent N’gadi, Secretary, and Mrs. Tiguida Kaba, Comptroller.

The new President of the Board, Mr. Jean-Baptiste, expressed profound gratitude for the honor and trust bestowed upon him by his fellow board members and promised to utilize all his abilities and resources for the upliftment of the organization. He also prayed for unity among our communities, individually and communally, and called on all to make every effort towards ensuring the return of all founding members of the organization.

AFRICOM is a Pennsylvania Non-Profit organization established to empower the African refugee and immigrant communities by advocating on issues of concern to African communities; promoting economic development; facilitating family access to health and social services, with special focus on women, children and the youth; and educating the media and broader public on African cultures and experiences.

AFRICOM holds regular monthly meetings at a location within the City of Philadelphia. The next General Meeting of AFRICOM is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2007, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, at the Community Development Corporation (CDC), 4027 Market Street, Philadelphia.

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