Bala Garba Jahumpa
Encyclopedia
Bala Garba Jahumpa is a Gambian politician and diplomat.
and Vassar College
in the U.S.
from 1975 to 1980. He graduated from Vassar with a bachelor's degree in International Relations
and Political Science
. Later, from 1987 to 1989, Jahumpa attended Birmingham University in the United Kingdom
, where he received his master's degree in Development Administration.
from 1994 to 1995. On 20 March 1995 he was named Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, but on 5 July 1995 he was again appointed as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, serving in that position until 1997. He was then Deputy High Commissioner
of The Gambia in the United Kingdom
from July 1997 to May 1999 and was Acting High Commissioner there from May 1999 to June 2001. After serving for a time as Ambassador to Cuba
, he became Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure in October 2003. On 26 October 2006, President Yahya Jammeh
revoked Maba Jobe
's appointment as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and appointed Jahumpa in his place, with effect from the previous day. Jahumpa himself was replaced in this position by Crispin Grey-Johnson
in mid-September 2007.
Jahumpa was subsequently designated as Ambassador to Venezuela
. On October 3, he was brought in for questioning regarding a passport scam, along with several other officials at the Foreign Affairs Department. Although arrested, he was soon exonerated by the police.
Education
Jahumpa attended 2 high schools in Gambia from 1970 to 1975, then Suffield AcademySuffield Academy
Suffield Academy is a private coeducational preparatory school located in Suffield, Connecticut, USA. It was founded in 1833. The Headmaster is Charles Cahn III.-Overview:...
and Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1975 to 1980. He graduated from Vassar with a bachelor's degree in International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
and Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. Later, from 1987 to 1989, Jahumpa attended Birmingham University in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where he received his master's degree in Development Administration.
Political career
Jahumpa served as Minister of Finance and Economic AffairsMinister of Finance (The Gambia)
The Minister of Finance is a minister in the Gambian Cabinet who is responsible for the financial management of government affairs, drawing up the budget, and developing economic policy. In 1985, Minister of Finance Saikouba Sisay designed and implemented an Economic Recovery Programme...
from 1994 to 1995. On 20 March 1995 he was named Minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, but on 5 July 1995 he was again appointed as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, serving in that position until 1997. He was then Deputy High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
of The Gambia in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from July 1997 to May 1999 and was Acting High Commissioner there from May 1999 to June 2001. After serving for a time as Ambassador to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, he became Secretary of State for Works, Construction and Infrastructure in October 2003. On 26 October 2006, President Yahya Jammeh
Yahya Jammeh
Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is the President of The Gambia...
revoked Maba Jobe
Maba Jobe
Maba Jahou Jobe is a Gambian politician. Born and raised in Farafenni, he once served as an officer in the Gambian National Army. Jobe was high commissioner to Nigeria from 1996 to 2001....
's appointment as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and appointed Jahumpa in his place, with effect from the previous day. Jahumpa himself was replaced in this position by Crispin Grey-Johnson
Crispin Grey-Johnson
Crispin Grey-Johnson is a Gambian political figure. He is the current Secretary of State for Higher Education of The Gambia....
in mid-September 2007.
Jahumpa was subsequently designated as Ambassador to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
. On October 3, he was brought in for questioning regarding a passport scam, along with several other officials at the Foreign Affairs Department. Although arrested, he was soon exonerated by the police.