Gordon H.M. Tapper

Biography

Gordon H.M. Tapper is the Founder of the Charitable Organization, Give Them a Hand Foundation (GTAH).

He is currently President of the United African Congress (UAC) and an active Board Member of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN).  He has had a long and distinguished career of over 35 years of service at the United Nations and, is a former Chief of Section in the Department of Administration and Management. Mr. Tapper numbers amongst his more important contributions at the UN, his participation in the first free and fair elections held in South Africa as a member of the UNOMSA Mission. Then he was assigned to Kwazulu/Natal where he established and supervised electoral offices and meetings of the peace processes. In 2004 and while still a UN Staff Member Mr. Tapper founded GTAH which has led humanitarian and medical missions to disaster areas, including those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy and to Haiti following the massive earthquake that destroyed much of Port Au Prince. Under his leadership and in partnership with the UAC, GTAH has hosted an annual World Interfaith Harmony Week program at the United Nations Headquarters in New York each February since 2012, bringing people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs together. With UAC, GTAH hosted the first Forum on the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa at the United Nations in August of 2014 in the ECOSOC Chamber with the participation of the ambassadors of the three most affected countries: Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. GTAH and UAC along with other partners have hosted several webinars on the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa, each one addressing an important sub issue. With ARDN and its Chairman, Djibril Diallo, Mr. Tapper has hosted an annual ‘Africa Open for Business Summit’ at the UN each year since

2018 for the purposes of advancing the development of the continent. With ARDN, Mr. Tapper is a key part of the Red Card Initiative, focusing on showing the Red

Card to violence against women. He is a proud native of Jamaica in the West Indies. He is a graduate of Pace University in New York City from which he obtained

a degree in Business Administration.

Dr. Michael Cole

Vice President for Administration and Finance (1998 - Present )

EDUCATION:

Doctorate degree in Economics and Statistics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Dr. Sorle Stanley Diih

Vice Chair of Public Safety (1999 to present)

BIOS:

Dr. Diih is a criminologist and Lieutenant with the New York Police Department.

He began his post-secondary education at the University of Athens, Greece in 1989 and transferred a year later to the University of Leuven, Belgium. Dr. Diih obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Lehman College / CUNY New York in 1993, a Masters in Public Administration Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY in 1997 and a Doctorate Degree in Criminology from the University of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom in July 2005. His doctoral program was funded in part by the New York Finest Foundation through the New York Police Department.

Dr. Diih is also a Criminologist and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice / CUNY, New York. He is a strategic planner, an analytical thinker, an innovative administrator and proven law enforcement professional. Dr. Diih and his wife, Annetta have been married for over twenty three years and they have three children. He is the Vice Chairman of the United African Congress for over two years and is in charge of Public Safety.

Mr. Ogo Sow

Chair of Diaspora and Media Affairs

(1999 to Present)

Mr. Sow knows everyone: from government representatives to people on the street and every one of the delegates; and his mission in life is to spread his love for Africa and to encourage his brothers and sisters all over the world to experience Africa for themselves.

Mr. Sow, a native of Senegal, is a broadcast journalist and host of the first African émigré and expatriate radio program in the United States. His radio show, “Mr Africa Live,” features news, in-depth interviews, and African music and can be listened to in English, French, Creole and Wolof. 

 Affectionately known in America as “Mr. Africa,” Sow is also a senior advisor for the African Travel Association on African Diaspora affairs who has reported extensively on major stories for ATA from Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.  In 2001, Sow founded Ogo Sow Communication Network, a series of African radio programs for African Diaspora communities in New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. He later moved to Atlanta to host

“Night Watch,” an interactive radio segment on Africa that he hosted until 2005.

Sow has received a number of awards from the media and the African Diaspora community in recognition of his efforts to keep the émigrés and expatriates, as well as those interested in African politics, culture, music and events, connected to the continent. As one of the finest commentators on Africa, Mr. Sow brings his experience, knowledge, and expertise on the media, travel and tourism, and arts & culture to corporate, civic and academic symposia and seminars around the country.  A great communicator, Sow has a knack for connecting with people and bringing them together.  

Dr. Pamela Ransom

Director for Policy (1999 - present)

BIOS:

Dr. Ransom is an Associate Professor in the Master of Public Administration program in the School for Public Affairs and Administration at Metropolitan College of New York. She joined the faculty in 2011. She has been active as an administrator, environmentalist, planner, educator and community activist. After completing her undergraduate education at Harvard University and doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she served as Deputy Director of Town Planning for the Government of Jamaica and consultant for USAID. She was also Co-director of Harvard Africa Volunteers working in East Africa.

She has previously served as Special Assistant for Environmental Affairs for the Manhattan Borough President and New York City Mayor and as Program Director for the Women's Environment and Development Organization, managing a global program on health and environment. She has taught with institutions including Long Island University, Northwestern University, St. Joseph's College and Alfred University.

Dr. Ransom has also been active as a researcher and consultant for a wide variety of government agencies, health institutions and community organizations internationally and in the United States. She has numerous publications on issues related to public administration and policy, focusing on themes including inter-agency collaboration, advocacy and community participation. In her role as Associate Professor at Metropolitan College she teaches a range of courses including introductory courses on public administration, public policy, and organizational behavior and has previously taught a wide array of courses throughout the field of public policy and administration.

Mr. Ahmed Karbo

Secretary General  (2016 to 2019)

BIOS:

 Ahmed D. Kargbo is the founder and current President of the Union of Sierra Leonean Organizations (USLO) Inc.  He is also a Board member and former President of the United States Sierra Leonean Association (USSLA) Inc. Under his leadership the Sierra Leone community is being represented in different forums and avenues of need.

 His challenge is to have Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans seen and heard where other nationals meet. Over the years, Mr. Kargbo has been very visible around the Boroughs of New York City stamping his indelible mark on behalf of his people.

 Mr. Kargbo champions local and national issues on behalf of his people even went to Congress to advocate for Sierra Leoneans in the United States. He partnered with other immigrants in New York City to rally for the current immigration reform bill that affects every immigrant in the United States. His passion on this issue can be attributed to his countless efforts in community engagements and meetings with his congressman and or his staff.

 Mr. Kargbo forces who was born in Sierra Leone is a medically retired veteran of the United States armed forces. He holds a BS. Degree in Technical Management (Information Technology), and a Masters in Public

Administration (Government and Non-profit) and an MBA (Information Security).

He also holds membership in the Sierra Leone Nurses Association and the United African Congress where he has been a member since 2010.

Mr. Salif M. Ouattara

Chair of Economic Development (1999 - Present)

Mr. Ouattara is the owner of Solar X System, Inc. in partnership with Sunny’s Limousine since 2009. He was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast where he attended Lycee Classic. He went to Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, Guinea, where he received a BA in Business Administration. After graduation, Mr Ouattara founded a firm that specialized in Energy trade and transportation. He also graduated with a PhD in Business Management from Abidjan University

Mr. Salif Ouattara moved to the United States in 1992 and joined the United African Congress in 1998.  From 1999 - 2003, Mr Ouattara attended City College where he received a Bachelor in English & a minor in Corporate Logistics.  He became the Chairman of Economic Development in 2007 and put his energy towards establishing a secure for profit channel of investment between Africa and America called BABA (Buy America to Build Africa).

He currently works with the Andrew Johnson Law Firm’s Immigrants Community Division. He is a proud grandfather of a little “princess.”

Honorable Sadick Abubakar

Chair of Youth Affairs (2006 to present)

EDUCATION:

Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park, Maryland/ USA

Masters Degree in IT Project Management, University of Maryland University College, Maryland / USA

Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Mr. Abubakar is a recent Graduate from the University of Maryland-College Park, where he received a master’s degree in 2014. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. There he led a team in the redesign of the Mini Baja Car Design intended for farmers in West Africa, Ghana.

He is the recipient of the Emerging Leaders Award given to him by Councilwoman Diane Foster and is a political advisor to many aspiring politicians and strategists. He can speak 5 languages and considers himself to being once a Ghanaian and now identifies as an African - meaning he believes in a United Africa. He is the National Youth President and Coordinator at the United African Congress, where he represents African youth throughout the United States of America. He is a proud Muslim and represented the Muslim community as the Logistics Coordinator at I am a Muslim too Rally. He continually gives back to the community by mentoring and tutoring in the subjects of both mathematics and science.

Now he is preparing to go for his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at an Ivy League School.

Ms. Yvonne Reid

Deputy Treasurer and Director of Protocol (2000- Present)

Ms. Reid was born in Panama City in Central America and migrated to New York City in 1973 to join her husband. She worked as an Executive Secretary to Mr. James Obi of the Equitable Life Assurance Company where she honed her skills and gained a “mentor” as well.  She studied marketing while simultaneously pursuing a paralegal training course at the New York Technical College. Upon graduation, Ms. Reid landed employment with a solo practitioner Mr. Avrom Vann and later transferred to the mid-size law firm of Winston and Sherman, P.C., where she served as an Assistant to the Head of the Litigation Department of the firm. With an impeccable record in professionalism, Ms. Reid was hired by Morison and Cohen LLP, an acclaimed and reputable law firm, where she continues to serve with excellence and distinction.

In total, Ms. Reid has had over 34 years of working in the legal field. She pursued continuing education at Baruch College, with a concentration in Business Administration and Personnel Management.

The distinguished and special leadership skills that Ms. Reid has acquired over 34 years and still counting have also come in handy for her in the world of philanthropy and voluntary work. She currently serves as both Director of Protocol and Deputy Treasurer for the United African Congress, where she is principally responsible for overseeing the finances and operations of the United African Congress, the management of the Chairman, President and National Spokesperson and Trustees schedules. These services have undoubtedly made the United African Congress one of the most effective and nationally recognized Pan-African Organizations in the United States. Ms. Reid also volunteers her services to her church, where she has remained a member for 20 years

Abdullai Abass Ahmed

Director of Information Technology (2014 to Present)

EDUCATION:

Associate of Science, Computer Science

Katherine Gibbs School, New York, New York

Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies

Fordham University, Bronx, New York

(2004 - 2016 dropped out)

BIOS:

Mr. Ahmed is a Ghanaian-American computer programmer, designer, and Information Technology visionary who has worked with key companies and organization in Ghana and United States. In 2014, to pursue his dream of contributing to Africa’s sustainable development, he founded  a design and technology company Newposss, Inc based New York. He works around the clock to ensure the mission, vision, and projected plans of the company.

When he is not busy working on a technology project, Mr. Ahmed finds time to help non-profit organizations and African business to enhance their presence by leveraging the power of technology. He likes reading books, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends