Gambia: Army Appoints First Female General

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Daily Observer

13 May 2011

editorial

We wish to join the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) to congratulate its first female general – Ramatoulie DK Sanneh. The development is indeed another significant milestone in the history of the institution and the ongoing empowerment of women of the country.

It is obvious that the newly decorated Brigadier-General Sanneh was promoted to the rank because of her selfless service to GAF and The Gambia at large. She has over the years proven her commitment and dedication to duty and has served her institution with a high sense of respect, loyalty and discipline. We therefore wish her all the best of luck and hope that she would continue to live according to the demands of the new rank she shoulders.

Often we highlight the giant steps taken by President Jammeh in ensuring that women in The Gambia take full control of the issues that affect their lives – from the homes and farmlands to the functioning of the state machinery. Modern equipment are made available to them in the rice fields to ease the intensity of labour; they have access to improved healthcare, thus reducing the infant mortality rate, and, at the core of decision-making, ensure tangible representation of women. The move to promote a woman to the rank of general is therefore another indication that President Jammeh is an icon in the emancipation and liberation of women.

What is now important is that other women within the ranks of GAF would look up to Brigadier-General Sanneh as a role model. The women of this country should also celebrate this unique development, as it is part of that long process of women empowerment initiated by the Gambian leader. If they continue to recognise this fact and continue cementing their loyalty to the leadership, it is obvious that the sky will be the limit in their empowerment.

We again congratulate the newly decorated female army general and hope that the development would serve as another source of inspiration for Gambian women.

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