I. M. Garba-Jahumpa

**Ibrahima Muhammadu/Momodou Garba-Jahumpa** (22 November 1912 - 4 September 1994) be Gambian trade union leader plus politician wey serve as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Health den Minister for Finance.

## Early life den education
Ibrahima Momodou Garba-Jahumpa dem born am on 22 November 1912, for Bathurst (wey now be Banjul), Gambia, insyd one Muslim Wolof family. Na he be son of Momodu Jahumpa. E start ein education for Mohammedan School for Bathurst (1925–1930). He win government scholarship go St. Augustine's Secondary School.

## Early career den trade unionism
Garba-Jahumpa first work as commercial clerk (1933–1935) before e get ein teaching certificate for 1936. After dat, e teach for Mohammedan School till 1944. Ein political career start under de support of Edward Francis Small, wey be prominent Gambian trade unionist plus activist. Dem appoint am as Assistant Secretary of de Rate Payers’ Association for 1935, den e serve as Secretary of de Gambia Labour Union (GLU) from 1942 to 1945. For 1945, e follow Small go de World Trade Union Conference for London.

## Life den political career
As teacher for de 1930s, Ibrahima teach Dawda Jawara for Mohammedan School for Bathurst.

Ibrahima ein political journey start for 1942 as nominated member of de municipal council, wey ein success come from ein connection to de Muslim population.

During ein early years, Ibrahima begin ein political apprenticeship plus trade unionism under de guidance of Edward Francis Small, wey people dey widely regard as de father of Gambian trade unionism. Small carry Ibrahima go de 1945 World International Trade Union Conference for London, where e get chance meet influential African leaders like Jomo Kenyatta plus Kwame Nkrumah. Ibrahima too take part for de Fifth Pan-African Congress wey dem hold for Manchester, represent de Gambia Labour Union wey e be Secretary, wey turn important moment for ein life.

Ibrahima ein interest for trade unionism people talk say e relate to de opportunities for politics wey e go bring, den people criticize am say e no serve de labour once dem appoint am.

Insyd May 1946, Ibrahima play important role for revive de Bathurst Young Muslims Society (BYMS). E too run as candidate for ein home area Half Die during de 1946 election den dem elect am as one of de three BYMS candidates go de Bathurst Town Council (BTC), wey be seat e hold almost continuously till 1968. For 1959, e turn de first Gambian wey assume de position of Chairman (wey now people dey call Mayor) of de BTC. At de same time, e still dey work as tutor for de Teachers' Training College for Georgetown from 1949 to 1950, den e serve as headmaster for Bakau School from 1950 to 1951.

Insyd 1951, Ibrahima start den lead de Gambia Muslim Congress den dem elect am go de Legislative Council of de Gambia, together plus John Colley Faye den Henri Madi. Dem re-elect am for 1954 den after dat dem appoint am as Minister of Agriculture, position wey e hold till e lose for de 1960 elections.

Even though e face political isolation for de late 1950s, Ibrahima ein situation change for 1959 when e become Secretary General as de Muslim Congress Party den de Democratic Party join body form de Democratic Congress Alliance (DCA) shortly before de 1960 general election. As secretary-general of de DCA, Ibrahima contest de Half Die constituency but e lose narrowly to de United Party.

E attend de Constitutional Conference for 1961 for The Gambia ein independence, den after dat, e dey present for Marlborough House, London, as dem sign de Gambia Independence Act 1964, before de country ein independence for 18 February 1965.

Insyd 1965, Ibrahima align ein self plus de United Party to oppose de republic referendum wey succeed, as e campaign against Dawda Jawara ein alleged plan to merge plus Senegal ein Léopold Sédar Senghor to form de Senegambia Confederation.

Finally, for de 1966 election, Ibrahima win election go de House of Representatives, represent Bathurst South (Half Die). But for one surprising turn of events for March 1968, e dissolve de GCP den join Dawda Jawara ein People's Progressive Party. Dis decision bring am benefit as dem appoint am Minister of Health. Ibrahima hold de Banjul South seat for de 1972 general election den few months later dem promote am to Minister of Finance. But ein political journey end after e lose for de 1977 general election.

E die for Banjul on 4 September 1994.

## Personal life
Dem dey reference am as part of de Wolof people. Ein son, Bala Garba Jahumpa, too go enter politics as ein career.

Ein daughter Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, too follow politics as ein career.

Dem name one street after am for Bakau New Town, Banjul.

## References