Fatou Ceesay- Jallow, the Human Resources Manager at NEPAD Office in South Africa, was born at Ceesay Kunda, in Bwiam,western region.

She was brought up in a very humble, religious and fortunate family. Though large a family, her parents both businespeople were able to provide sufficiently for all and sundry in the family. Her father Alhagie Babou Ceesay is the current Imam of Bwiam, and her mother is Aja Jai Ceesay and her maternal grandfather was Alh. Ali Ceesay who  was also Imam before her father. As she stated, the Ceesay family is very supportive to each other.

In this week Women's Weekly edition, we brought to you this woman's  profile, who is presently residing in South Africa contributing to the development of Africa. In an interview with the Women's Weekly columnist at her office in Pretoria, South Africa, Mrs Fatou Ceesay-Jallow said she attended Bwiam primary school in Bwiam; there she proceeded to St Joseph's High School in Banjul. After  her graduation she went to Sierra Leone in 1984 and did her A' levels at Cardinal Educational Enterprise. She also did Science at Njala University College in Sierra Leone. In 1996, she obtained a BSc in Education  majored in Biological Sciences. she completed  her studies  in 1991.

She returned back home to The Gambia taught in Muslim High School as a qualified graduate teacher. She then joined the National Women's Bureau as training social refund coordinator from 1993-97 and during that period she left for the US. She did graduate certificate in human resources management at the University of Pitts Burgh in Pennsylvia. Upon completion , she enrolled for her Masters decree at Kentucky State University where  she did public administration and specialised in human resources and management information systems.

In addition to these academic achievements, she did completed several professional training in the areas of organisational development, leadership and management development, gender development and strategic planning and management etc. According to her, after her masters, she came back home to The Gambia to work with the Women's Bureau and briefly assumes a high  position. From there she transferred to the ministry  of Health and Women's Affairs as principal secretary where she was involved with HR and administrative related issues. She also work directly with the Vice Presidents office.

From there she joined NAWEC, Action Aid, SOS kinderdoff International as the director of the regional adult training centre. In 2004 she had a UN volunteer assignment to Swaziland up to 2006.She also joined NEPAD secretariat in March 2007 as head of human resource , a position she currently holds . "Am enjoying my work here in  South Africa. It is  also very challenging, the fact that I have the opportunity to contribute to Africa's development in terms of regional integration, within a framework of  a continental organisation. NEPAD as a program of the AU contributing in the field of  development. It is a passion for me to  see  positive changes in the life of the  African people. This is gratifying for me as it is  more important than making money" she said.

Mrs Ceesay-Jallow said  her mother contributed more towards her education and other needs. For example, "when I was in Sierra Leone, my mother use to send me parcels of food stuffs and everything including slippers.  My colleagues used to  laugh at me and  jokingly asked  whether my  mum thinks that  I cannot buy slippers for myself," she disclosed.

My father a great personality and  a very   very generous  man was supportive of the community we live  in ,which includes all the tribes in The  Gambia.  She  disclosed that  the jolas  they were  living with  used to say    to  the  Ceesay kunda "sum sum mbala yo mbalai, a luway atulay ku sailah". "Anyway we are like a family to the jolas", She said adding that her family was always invited for the "foutampaf". "I am married and my husband is Cherno.B.Jallow and is very supportive to my career, which is very important for a professional woman who is working in an international organisation" she said.

According to NEPAD HR manager, she felt that both men and women should be given equal opportunities to realise and utilise there full potential for the development of Africa. If somebody is healthy and has skills, he or she has a right to contribute to the development of their society and community she echoed.

She added that, she do not support men who are not gender sensitive because that will be a set back to the development of Africa. However there is always room for improvement and they can engage with such people to create awareness to improve  women's development. Mrs Jallow further said that, Gambian women are very strong because she had worked with them and she also sees how her mother has contributed to what she is today. She also  stated that they are very strong in  taking care of their  family, attaining academic, professional and career development.

The grassroot women, she continues, are even stronger because if you go to any village in The Gambia and see how much they contribute to the health of their children even their husband is a manifestation of their productivity. I just feel that Gambia needs to put more emphasises on girl child education and on women adult literacy  because as the saying goes "education can take you anywhere"

For The Gambia as the saying goes, there is no where like home. I have lived outside The Gambia for the greater part of my adult life. However I have always tried to be home atleast twice a year. There is nothing as exciting as travelling back home to The Gambia. I miss the beautiful beaches, the security and also the closely neaded society. "I am planning to come back and contribute to the development of The Gambia as I have done in my pass jobs," she said. "I am very humble,  hardworking, dedicated, committed and very honest. I cant  sell my integrity because I believe that God is greater than anything," she concluded.