Who we are

The Al Karaama Society is a Gambia-based NGO founded in 2014 by the award winning Gambian writer Amir Yaya Sillah. The main objectives are to foster solidarity among members through learning and research in the pursuit of a paradigm shift from a common culture to a high culture. Amir Sillah said, “I have explored eleven industrialised countries many of them in Europe, but also Australia, China, UAE and New Zealand. Whenever I interact with people and I mention Africa after independence, usually people mention four things:
1. Illiteracy
2. Conflict
3. Poverty
4. Disease
Whenever I heard this, I felt a profound sense of disappointment. So I asked myself: what can I do to change the narrative?
A popular English proverb tells us that “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events – and weak minds discuss people.”
It tells us that in order to change the narrative and build a progressive society like those in Europe, the US and China, it’s time for Africans to be philosophical in our thinking and be innovative in our actions.
One way to do this is to share our stories and insights through mentoring and publishing – ensuring these ideas are widely accessible and affordable throughout the world.

Amir Yaya Sillah, the leader of Al Karaama Society.