Back and Next - Back and NextPresident decorates 27 officers
Friday, April 18, 2008
Following the approval for the promotion of both senior and Junior officers of The Gambia Armed Forces in accordance with Section 190 of the Constitution of The Gambia, President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, Commander-In-Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, yesterday presided over the promotion ceremony of 27 senior officers at a ceremony held at the State House grounds in Banjul.
The promotion ranged from the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and Major General respectively.
The newly promoted officers are 2nd Lt Alkali Conteh, promted to Major, Lt Kawsu Camara aliase Bombardeh promoted to Major, Lt Omar Colley, promoted to major, Captain Ansumana Tamba, promoted to Major, Captain Lamin Badjie, promoted to Major, Captain Ramatoulie DK Sanneh, promoted to Major, Captain Mariama Sonko, promoted to Major, Captain Alhagie Martin, Principal Protection Officer to the President of the Republic, promoted to Major,
Captain Saikou Seckan, promoted to Major, Captain Samba Baldeh, Commanding Officer at the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Farrafenni Barracks, promoted to Major, Captain Demba Jarjue, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Madina Senghore, promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the Navy which is equal to Major ranks in the Army,
Captain MA Jallow, promoted to Major, Captain Lamin Jammeh, promoted to Major, Captain Malamin Jarjue, acting NIA Director General, promoted to Major, Captain Mam Matarr Secka, Camp Commander, Defense Headquarters at Yundum Barracks, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Sambou Barrow, promoted to Lt Commander,
Captain Kawsu Sanyang, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Sillah Kujabi, Commanding officer, Naval Command, Banjul, promoted to Lieutenant Commander, Captain Paul Gomez, promoted to major, Captain Lamin Bojang, Commanding Officer, Guards Battalion promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Gibril Bojang, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Major Serign Modou Njie, Commanding Officer, State Guards promoted to Lieutenant Colonel,
Major Sainey Bayo, Commanding Officer, 1st Infantry Battalion promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Yankuba Drammeh, Chief of Army Staff promoted to Lt. Colonel, Lt Colonel Masanneh Kinteh, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff promoted to Colonel and Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces promoted to Major General.
Addressing the gathering shortly after the decoration, President Jammeh thanked Allah for the day. He told the officers that The GAF is a merit base Armed Forces noting that the promotions is not base on seniority but base on merits and performance.
He made it very clear that he sees everyone as Gambians despite their portfolios noting that the GAF is not base on tribe or religion but patriotism. He then noted that gone are the days when officers are promoted base on seniority whether or not they perform.
He told them that the fastness of any officers’ promotion depends on him or her self and this decoration has proved the fact that the promoted ones perform and this can be proven.
President Jammeh added that as humans, no one is responsible for any ones achievements or failures, but all lies in the hands of Allah. He added "some of you may wonder how I knew that you are working but a school master was once a student".
For him, within the Army, despite been in different bases, he knew every officer’s performance and what each can deliver. He added that in the army, one is rewarded for what he or she does and in some instances, punish any officer who does wrong. According to him, he is a leader who believes in rewarding the good, adding that punishment in the army is a last result and makes officers very bad.
He then thanked the friends of The Gambia who have made what The Gambia Armed Forces are today, noting that these are countries that have provided professional training for forces of the Armed Forces.
He then thanked the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, United State of America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Turkey, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of India and other nations for their support to the GAF. According to him, these countries have shown genuine friendship towards The Gambia, noting that it is only a true friend that helps a sister nation to defend herself.
According to him, without a good defence mechanism, there cannot be absolute peace and stability and without peace and stability, there cannot be any development. For Jammeh, today, The Gambia is synonymous with peace and stability as well as development.
He then single out the immense support of the Republic of Taiwan who had help immensely in all levels of the Gambia Armed and Security Services saying "Presently, we have a record number of people that are about to leave for Taiwan to pursue courses".
He then cited several activities detrimental to national development, the worst and most devastating according to him are drugs and money laundering. Money laundering according to him, can destroy an economy in an hour and drug destroys the future and cream of society who are the hopes of families.
President Jammeh again reiterated his protocol to zero tolerance to drug trafficking of any nature and money laundering and other economic crimes, noting that a lot of countries with lot of resources and the people are of suffering is because of this attitudes.
"Therefore, any country that comes to train about 45 of our defence services in those areas, is a true friend of The Gambia indeed" he said, and quickly thanked the Republic of Taiwan for the support and creating an Armed Forces that all citizens of this country should be proud of.
He further thanked Allah for the effective participation of The Gambia in international peace-keeping with less than six casualties since 1990 to date. "I am also proud that no Gambian soldier has ever shown coward eyes anywhere.
I am also grateful for the fact that wherever you go as soldiers from the Gambia, your performance is so impressive that you later become the guards for the headquarters. Even where as important personalities are targeted internationally, they call on the Gambian contingent to provide the escort the last of which was when Ban Ki Moo, the UN Secretary General, was threaten to be kidnapped and upon all the contingents that where there, they choose the Gambians to guard him. These are proud sons and daughters of this country and every good citizen should be proud of and support" he said.
He then commended the families of the officers for the support towards the officers and partners of GAF for the support .
For his part, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff, equally thanked Allah for the day and expressed delight for the promotion. He informed the gathering that the promotion is one of the biggest happenings and the largest ever event in the history of The Gambia Armed Forces. He noted that promotion in the military is a rare privilege meant to encourage and reward for hard work and ironically, must be seen as a challenge to work harder in order to be able to handle the numerous responsibilities that tantamount to such promotions.
Major Tamba then expressed confidence that despite the challenges that lie ahead of them, they will remain committed to their constitutional duties for a better nation. He implored all the senior officers, particularly those recognize for this promotion, to continue assesing themselves and work in the best interest of this nation and the Commander-In-Chief of GAF. He also urged them not only to tend to show loyalty and patriotism but must be seen to be loyal and patriotic in fulfilling their solemn obligations to the nation.
He then recognised the importance President Jammeh attaches to the well-being of the Armed Forces as a national defence institution and an international peace support tool and assured that as CDS, he will compliment the efforts of government in boosting the morals of the Armed Forces and urged the staff officers to continue to look and seek the experiences of older armies for packages that will improve the social, physical and economic being of the Armed Forces.
He then qouted Napoleon as saying ‘soldiers usually win the battle and the Generals get the credit for them’ and upon these, commended all the offciers and men of the GAF for the camaraderie and support they rendered him since his appointment noting that the help and support from each other will make the work easier.
He then saluted President Jammeh for the respect and trust bestowed on them and assured that they will fulfill their missions.
At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh handed over 11 military trucks to Vice President Njie-Saidy who is also the chairperson of the security services for GAF.
Present were the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, secretaries of state and members of the diplomatic community as well as family members.
The promotion ranged from the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel and Major General respectively.
The newly promoted officers are 2nd Lt Alkali Conteh, promted to Major, Lt Kawsu Camara aliase Bombardeh promoted to Major, Lt Omar Colley, promoted to major, Captain Ansumana Tamba, promoted to Major, Captain Lamin Badjie, promoted to Major, Captain Ramatoulie DK Sanneh, promoted to Major, Captain Mariama Sonko, promoted to Major, Captain Alhagie Martin, Principal Protection Officer to the President of the Republic, promoted to Major,
Captain Saikou Seckan, promoted to Major, Captain Samba Baldeh, Commanding Officer at the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Farrafenni Barracks, promoted to Major, Captain Demba Jarjue, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Madina Senghore, promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the Navy which is equal to Major ranks in the Army,
Captain MA Jallow, promoted to Major, Captain Lamin Jammeh, promoted to Major, Captain Malamin Jarjue, acting NIA Director General, promoted to Major, Captain Mam Matarr Secka, Camp Commander, Defense Headquarters at Yundum Barracks, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Sambou Barrow, promoted to Lt Commander,
Captain Kawsu Sanyang, promoted to Major, Navy Lt Sillah Kujabi, Commanding officer, Naval Command, Banjul, promoted to Lieutenant Commander, Captain Paul Gomez, promoted to major, Captain Lamin Bojang, Commanding Officer, Guards Battalion promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Gibril Bojang, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Major Serign Modou Njie, Commanding Officer, State Guards promoted to Lieutenant Colonel,
Major Sainey Bayo, Commanding Officer, 1st Infantry Battalion promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Yankuba Drammeh, Chief of Army Staff promoted to Lt. Colonel, Lt Colonel Masanneh Kinteh, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff promoted to Colonel and Brigadier General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces promoted to Major General.
Addressing the gathering shortly after the decoration, President Jammeh thanked Allah for the day. He told the officers that The GAF is a merit base Armed Forces noting that the promotions is not base on seniority but base on merits and performance.
He made it very clear that he sees everyone as Gambians despite their portfolios noting that the GAF is not base on tribe or religion but patriotism. He then noted that gone are the days when officers are promoted base on seniority whether or not they perform.
He told them that the fastness of any officers’ promotion depends on him or her self and this decoration has proved the fact that the promoted ones perform and this can be proven.
President Jammeh added that as humans, no one is responsible for any ones achievements or failures, but all lies in the hands of Allah. He added "some of you may wonder how I knew that you are working but a school master was once a student".
For him, within the Army, despite been in different bases, he knew every officer’s performance and what each can deliver. He added that in the army, one is rewarded for what he or she does and in some instances, punish any officer who does wrong. According to him, he is a leader who believes in rewarding the good, adding that punishment in the army is a last result and makes officers very bad.
He then thanked the friends of The Gambia who have made what The Gambia Armed Forces are today, noting that these are countries that have provided professional training for forces of the Armed Forces.
He then thanked the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, United State of America, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Turkey, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of India and other nations for their support to the GAF. According to him, these countries have shown genuine friendship towards The Gambia, noting that it is only a true friend that helps a sister nation to defend herself.
According to him, without a good defence mechanism, there cannot be absolute peace and stability and without peace and stability, there cannot be any development. For Jammeh, today, The Gambia is synonymous with peace and stability as well as development.
He then single out the immense support of the Republic of Taiwan who had help immensely in all levels of the Gambia Armed and Security Services saying "Presently, we have a record number of people that are about to leave for Taiwan to pursue courses".
He then cited several activities detrimental to national development, the worst and most devastating according to him are drugs and money laundering. Money laundering according to him, can destroy an economy in an hour and drug destroys the future and cream of society who are the hopes of families.
President Jammeh again reiterated his protocol to zero tolerance to drug trafficking of any nature and money laundering and other economic crimes, noting that a lot of countries with lot of resources and the people are of suffering is because of this attitudes.
"Therefore, any country that comes to train about 45 of our defence services in those areas, is a true friend of The Gambia indeed" he said, and quickly thanked the Republic of Taiwan for the support and creating an Armed Forces that all citizens of this country should be proud of.
He further thanked Allah for the effective participation of The Gambia in international peace-keeping with less than six casualties since 1990 to date. "I am also proud that no Gambian soldier has ever shown coward eyes anywhere.
I am also grateful for the fact that wherever you go as soldiers from the Gambia, your performance is so impressive that you later become the guards for the headquarters. Even where as important personalities are targeted internationally, they call on the Gambian contingent to provide the escort the last of which was when Ban Ki Moo, the UN Secretary General, was threaten to be kidnapped and upon all the contingents that where there, they choose the Gambians to guard him. These are proud sons and daughters of this country and every good citizen should be proud of and support" he said.
He then commended the families of the officers for the support towards the officers and partners of GAF for the support .
For his part, Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff, equally thanked Allah for the day and expressed delight for the promotion. He informed the gathering that the promotion is one of the biggest happenings and the largest ever event in the history of The Gambia Armed Forces. He noted that promotion in the military is a rare privilege meant to encourage and reward for hard work and ironically, must be seen as a challenge to work harder in order to be able to handle the numerous responsibilities that tantamount to such promotions.
Major Tamba then expressed confidence that despite the challenges that lie ahead of them, they will remain committed to their constitutional duties for a better nation. He implored all the senior officers, particularly those recognize for this promotion, to continue assesing themselves and work in the best interest of this nation and the Commander-In-Chief of GAF. He also urged them not only to tend to show loyalty and patriotism but must be seen to be loyal and patriotic in fulfilling their solemn obligations to the nation.
He then recognised the importance President Jammeh attaches to the well-being of the Armed Forces as a national defence institution and an international peace support tool and assured that as CDS, he will compliment the efforts of government in boosting the morals of the Armed Forces and urged the staff officers to continue to look and seek the experiences of older armies for packages that will improve the social, physical and economic being of the Armed Forces.
He then qouted Napoleon as saying ‘soldiers usually win the battle and the Generals get the credit for them’ and upon these, commended all the offciers and men of the GAF for the camaraderie and support they rendered him since his appointment noting that the help and support from each other will make the work easier.
He then saluted President Jammeh for the respect and trust bestowed on them and assured that they will fulfill their missions.
At the end of the ceremony, President Jammeh handed over 11 military trucks to Vice President Njie-Saidy who is also the chairperson of the security services for GAF.
Present were the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, secretaries of state and members of the diplomatic community as well as family members.
Author: by Alhagie Jobe
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