Alhagie Daddy Sowe Passes Away

Thursday, June 19, 2008

The president of The Gambia National Transport Union, Alhagie Daddy Sowe, passed away last Tuesday and was laid to rest the following day at his hometown in Bakau.

Speaking to The Point, the secretary general of The Gambia Workers Union, Mr Ebrima Garba Cham, said the late Daddy Sowe founded the National Transport Union in 1963 which affiliated to Workers Union under the leadership of Jallow-Jallow. He further disclosed that Mr Sowe was also a founding member of the Workers Confederation in 1985, of which he was also the president. Mr Cham added that Mr Sowe also founded The Gambia Transport, Food and Agriculture Union in 1995, the Bakau Women’s garden and the Women’s Vegetable Garden and Market Association comprising 26 women, which he also headed.

Mr Cham revealed that the late Daddy Sowe was also a founding member of The Gambia National Trade Union Congress in 1996 of which he was the president and also helped start the formation of car parks and establishment of tariffs across the country, and was among the first taxi drivers in the country, initiated by Mam Mbye Jagne in the days of (Tanka–Tanka) in Banjul.Mr Cham further stated that the late Daddy Sowe was also a founding member of the National Transport Control Association in 1993 of which he [Sowe] was the president and also a member of the Port Labour Board.

Mr Sowe, according to his cousin Alhagie Badou Sowe, was the son of Dawda Sowe and was born at No. 63 Perseverance Street in Banjul. He started his school Education at St. Augustine’s Primary School and also attended Islamic Education Schools in Banjul. Upon completing his education, he joined The Gambia Police Force. He is survived by a wife and children and was aged 73.

Author: By Modou B. O. Bojang
Source: Picture: Late Daddy Sowe