President Jammeh Pledges More Educational Opportunities for Security Apparatus As He Decorates 11 Newly Promoted Officers

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Hatab Fadera

23 June 2011

The president of the Republic and Commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has once again reiterated his government’s resolve to build a modern, well educated and professional armed and security services.

His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking Wednesday evening at State House in Banjul while presiding over the piping and swearing in ceremony of 11 GAF officers who have been elevated to the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel respectively. The Gambian leader also pledged to send at least 25 members of the security apparatus each year, beginning from 2011, to university to study in relevant fields.

Momodou Alieu Bah, Salifu Bojang, Sait Njie, Essa Tamba, and Musa Trawally were elevated from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel; whilst Dr Alkali Conteh, Malamin Jarju, Paul S Gomez, Paul Arthur Gomez, and Hina Sambou were promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel respectively. Meanwhile, the public relations officer (PRO) of GAF, Omar Bojang was elevated from the rank of Lieutenant to Major.

The officers, the third group to be promoted in less than two months, took six different oaths, swearing on the holy books according to their faiths. They pledged to always work towards the maintenance of the high standards of unity, progress, camaraderie and discipline in GAF, as well as allegiance and loyalty to the people, state, and their commander-in-chief.

The president in his words of wisdom reiterated that gone are the days when the armed security services of the country were a place of “dropouts and disgruntled elements in the society”. He stressed that university education is not restricted to civilians, but also extends to the armed forces, declaring that the security apparatus will witness the births of doctors, scientists, philosophers, and so on.

“So don’t say that I want to be a doctor, but if I join the army or the police I will not achieve that – No! As from now every year, we will send at least 25 members of the armed and security services to university to study in critical fields,” the president disclosed, underpinning that this is inline with his objective of making sure that The Gambia is self-sufficient in all spheres.

The Gambian leader further averred that the objective is also among other things to change the perception on what it used to be up till recently to a more positive one. “As from today, it is no longer an army of dropouts, or disgruntled elements of society. In any security outfit you can become a doctor, a scientist, an engineer, and you can become anything you want as long as you have the knowledge and determination to pursue that. Under my command, you can start from zero in the armed forces and become the best scientist in the whole world as long as you have the determination,” he assured.

The commander-in-chief however pointed out that for the members of the security apparatus to achieve this objective, there is the need for them to nurture determination, courage and perseverance, describing these virtues as indispensable steps to success. He said: “No matter how intelligent you are, if you are not determined, if you don’t have faith, and the will, and if you don’t trust yourself too, there is no way you can succeed.

Merit-based promotion

President Jammeh also reiterated that promotions in the army are not based on seniority, but on merit. He added: “I have always made it clear that this is not a government where you are rewarded for being a senior person; you are rewarded for your merit. That applies to not only the armed forces, but the entire government including the civil service. When you give it your best and do your best, your merit will take you to the sky.”

Tribalism

The Gambian leader also used the opportunity to once again denounce tribalism, stressing that the government under his watchful eyes is not one of tribe but a government of Gambia, likewise the armed forces. He warned that as far as his government is concerned, and that as long as he is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, “all those who believe in tribalism will be kicked out of the army or the civil service”. “There is no compromise on that because united we stand, divided we fall. Those who work based on tribes are only bent on dividing us and therefore they do not want us to stand but want the country to fall,” he stated.

GAF’s record

The commander-in-chief also praised GAF for its industrious excellent service in overseas peacekeeping missions that is characterised by professionalism, modesty, honesty and discipline. He continued: “I think more than 10 years now of our service with the United Nations; so far not a single Gambian there has been accused of rape, looting or stealing. For the past 10 years, this record has not been tarnished and I will urge all of you to make sure that you maintain the record of honesty, dedication and loyalty even at home here.” While noting that the GAF has both the proficiency and honesty in all its engagements outside of this country, the Gambian leader thanked the personnel of GAF for being true Muslims and Christians and upholding the virtues of the Gambian society.

Expansion

The commander-in-chief also announced plans to expand the current structure of GAF to cater for the setting up of vital units or corps that will work towards enhancing the development of the army, and the society in general. To this end, he disclosed that GAF will work towards setting up of what he called the Agricultural Green Battalion that will not only be responsible for agricultural production in the army, but the enhancement of the environment in which they live in.

Similarly, the president also disclosed that they will set up what he called the Armed Forces Medical Corps, noting that this will ensure that there are medical centres in all military installations in the country that will also provide medical services to not only the personnel but by extension the community that hosts it. This, he explained, will enhance military-civilian relations as well as trust and confidence. He further disclosed that similar structures that will be set up include the Marine and the Engineering Corps respectively.

The commander-in-chief concluded by reiterating that they want GAF to be highly professional and well equipped. The ministers of the Interior, Basic and Secondary Education, and Youth and Sports, Ousman Sonko, Fatou Lamin Faye, and Sheriff Gomez respectively, all took turns to commend President Jammeh for his continuous commitment to the armed and security services, while congratulating and enjoining the promoted officers to do more with their new ranks.

Speaking earlier, the chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of GAF, Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh reiterated their sincere appreciation to the commander-in-chief for the leadership and support that he and the entire government continue to render to GAF. CDS Kinteh asserted that the recent promotions in the army have been attributed to the fact that recently GAF has been undergoing tremendous restructuring that cuts across all levels of the armed forces from the grassroots to the level of the headquarters. He said that the beneficiaries of the promotions were carefully selected based on their competencies, noting that almost all of the officers have completed their mid and senior military officers courses. He expressed confidence that the officers will take ownership of the transformations in GAF.

The CDS further stated that he is convinced that with the experience of these officers, the armed forces will be transformed into a highly professional and competent elite force. He finally told the officers they have responsibilities to lead men and women in good and bad times, and advised them to maintain a high sense of unity, loyalty, and commitment to national duties.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Defence, Harry Sambou, who chaired the occasion thanked President Jammeh for the continuous support to the GAF, while urging the officers to always have it in mind that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

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