Affiliations Committee/Candidates/2025/Gayobah13

Gayo Bah (Gayobah13)

Gayobah13 (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA)

Preferred name	Gayo Bah
What languages do you speak, and at what fluency level? (Please include your English proficiency.)	I speak English (fluent), Fula/Fulfulde (native), and Mandinka (conversational). I also have basic working familiarity with several other local Gambian languages through my work in language documentation and capacity building.
What region(s) of the world do you have experience with, and what kind of experience do you have? (“Experience” can mean you have lived or worked there or are currently living or working there; you’re familiar with the culture and language; etc.)	I have lived and worked in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically The Gambia, for over 17 years as a librarian, national bibliographer, and Wikimedia organizer. My experience includes community engagement, training volunteers, working with cultural institutions, and leading open knowledge initiatives. I am deeply familiar with the cultural, linguistic, and institutional landscape of the region, as well as the challenges faced by emerging Wikimedia communities.
What Wikimedia project(s) do you actively edit? And in what language(s)?	I actively edit across several Wikimedia projects, including: English Wikipedia Fulfulde Wikipedia Wikimedia Incubator (Mandinka Wikipedia Test, Fula projects) Wikisource Wikimedia Commons Wikidata
What affiliate(s) are you actively involved with? In what capacity are you involved? Do you serve in a leadership role or have you in the past?	I am the founder of The Gambia Wikimedia Community, where I lead community growth, volunteer training, partnerships, and program development. I also serve as a member of the Wikimedia and Libraries User Group (WLUG) Steering Committee, under the Strategy and Governance Team, where I support movement strategy alignment, and community engagement.
Have you served on any committees (movement-related or otherwise)? And what was your role on the committee(s)?	Yes. I currently serve on the Wikimedia and Libraries User Group Steering Committee, contributing to strategic planning, community coordination, mentorship support, and governance strengthening. Outside the Wikimedia movement, I have also served on institutional committees related to national bibliography, information policy, and library development within the Gambia National Library.
Please describe any experience you have with conflict resolution and/or consensus building.	In my 17+ years working in the public sector and leading Wikimedia initiatives, I have frequently facilitated dialogue among diverse groups volunteers, librarians, publishers, cultural institutions, and government stakeholders. My approach focuses on: Listening to all perspectives Identifying shared goals Encouraging respectful communication Guiding groups toward mutually acceptable solutions In community settings, I help mediate disagreements around editing standards, roles, and expectations.
In your ideal world, what does the affiliate model and ecosystem look like?	In my ideal model, the Wikimedia affiliate ecosystem is inclusive, well-supported, and equitable, where both emerging and established communities have access to the resources, training, and recognition they need to thrive. Affiliates would have clear pathways for growth from informal groups to fully established organizations supported by mentorship and structured guidance. Regional collaboration, especially among underrepresented communities, would be strengthened to ensure that all voices have space in the movement.!-- [required question] In your ideal world, what does the affiliate model and ecosystem look like? -->
In your ideal world, what are AffCom’s roles and responsibilities in relation to the movement and affiliates?	AffCom should serve as a supportive, transparent, and responsive body that guides affiliates at every stage of their development. Its roles should include to: Provide clear frameworks and expectations for affiliation Offer mentorship and capacity-building support to new Wikimedia communities Ensure affiliates meet accountability and governance standards Facilitate smooth recognition, renewal, and conflict resolution processes Strengthen communication between affiliates and the broader Wikimedia movement Empower affiliates by helping them grow sustainably and in alignment with movement values.
What role within AffCom are you most interested in: advisory or voting member?	I am interested in serving as an advisory member, where I can actively contribute to decision-making, support emerging affiliates, and bring the perspectives of underrepresented African communities into the committee’s work.