Aji Yama’s bio: Mrs. Mariama (Aji Yama) Secka-Touray is the first female President of The Gambian Association in Minnesota (GAM-MN).  Her goal is to make the Gambian Community stand out as one of the most prosperous in Minnesota and USA as a whole. Aji Yama holds an Associate Degree in Health Science and has been working in the healthcare system for more than 20 years. She is passionate about supporting her patients, mentoring and sharing her experience and expertise in the health care sector.  Aji Yama was born and raised by an aunt in The Gambia, where she learned many life lessons including the importance of showing compassion, kindness, patience, respect and love to all, irrespective of their age, race, gender, religion or creed. These values are close to Aji Yama’s heart and she has raised her kids to uphold these principles. Aji Yama currently resides in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with her mother, husband, and children.

Abdou Manjang serves as the Vice President of The Gambian Association in Minnesota. Abdou is in his third term on the GAM-MN executive team and has previously served as the association’s public relations officer. He holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead, Minnesota, and has accumulated over a decade of experience in hospital settings encompassing both clinical and administrative environments. Abdou specializes in quality and performance improvement, project management, and change management, driven by a steadfast commitment to advancing service delivery and achieving operational excellence.

Abdou currently works for the University of Minnesota Medical School as a Quality Improvement Coordinator/Consultant. Also, he serves as a member on the African American Health State Advisory Council which is an appointment by the Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz to promote health equity with African American and eliminate healthcare disparities. His strong passion for healthcare led him to found a nonprofit organization called Impact Health The Gambia (IHTG), which is dedicated in supporting public hospitals in The Gambia for provision of medical supplies, quality improvement consultants, and seminars for clinical care. IHTG has donated medical supplies to Kanifing General Hospital, Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, and Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital. In Minnesota, he is very passionate about providing mentorship for minority youths, particularly the immigrant youth.

Sainabou has solid and extensive experience managing development projects and delivering quality and continuous process improvement work in the healthcare sector. She is committed to creating opportunities to provide equitable access to healthcare and achieving quality health outcomes, particularly for disparity populations. Sainabou has always been passionate about giving back to humanity and serves in different volunteer roles in the non-profit sector.  She continues to impact lives as a community organizer and through community mediation. Sainabou holds Master’s degrees in Human Rights and Peace and Conflict Studies, and a Bachelor’s in International Development Studies.  She has practitioner certificates in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Profession (PMP). 

Bamba Keita is married with three kids and lives in Coon Rapids. Have a passion for volunteerism and lending a hand to the ones in need. 

Bamba holds a BSc in Accounting from Saint Cloud State University and a Master of Science (MSA) in Accounting from St. Mary’s University. Worked as a Financial Analyst for the past ten years.

Bamba currently works as a Finance Manager at Fraser.

Saffiatou is a Chartered Accountant (CA) certified by the ACCA.Highly experienced finance professional with over 16 years of expertise in the banking industry, telecommunications, external auditing, and non-profit sectors in The Gambia.

Currently working in the non profit sector as a Grants Accountant for Reading and Math dba Ampact.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring creative pursuits, including cooking, baking, crafting,making wax melts  and sewing. I am married with two lovely daughters.

Fatoumata M. Dibba is a highly accomplished financial professional with over 12 years of diverse experience in finance, banking, and real estate. She brings a wealth of expertise in managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, strategic business development, and loan structuring. Fatoumata has held key leadership roles at prestigious institutions, including Merrill Lynch, where she managed significant assets and mortgage portfolios, earning recognition as one of the top 50 Under 50 Black/African American Financial Advisors in the U.S. in 2021.

She also served as an Associate in Financial Market Sales at Standard Chartered Bank, contributing to the bank’s expansion across West Africa. With a robust background in Asset and Liability Management (ALM), foreign exchange (FX), and liquidity management, Fatoumata has been recognized as one of Africa’s High Potential (HIPO) Leaders and a Diversity and Inclusion Country Champion.

Fatoumata holds an MBA in Project Management from the University of Wales and is ACCA certified. She also holds previous certifications in ACI, SIE, Series 7, 66, and life Insurance. Her comprehensive expertise in financial planning, mortgage origination, and compliance makes her a trusted leader in the industry. Fatoumata is a mortgage loan Originator under her personal brand DREAM BIG LLC, where she oversees ventures in real estate, entrepreneurship, and mortgage services.

Her commitment to excellence, integrity, and community impact extends beyond her professional endeavors. Formerly the Vice President and now serving as Public Relations Officer for The Gambian Association of Minnesota, Fatoumata is a passionate advocate for fostering inclusive environments and empowering future leaders.

As Director of Lending at ADC, Fatoumata aims to strategically position the institution to better serve its unique clientele while driving growth and economic empowerment.

Fatoumata Jarju-Ceesay is married and living with her husband in Anokay-Ramsey. She is a student at the University of Minnesota Twins Cities, majoring in Health Services Management. She has an associate degree in health science at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.  Working as a Nursing Assitant at Allina Hospital Coon Rapids. She is passionate about volunteerism and an advocate for women’s empowerment, good leadership, and mental health.

Education:  Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) at International Business College. 

Profession: Electrocardiogram EKG Tech and Nursing Assistant Registry (NAR). 

Sports: Assistant Manager for Gambia MN Soccer team

Pa Modou Fahti is a current resident of Anoka, MN. He holds a Diploma in Business & Management. Pa Modou works in the aerospace industry with over 10 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing. He currently serves as a Senior Aerospace Manufacturing Technician. Pa Modou’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends, involvement in sports, and community volunteering.