President Jammeh decorates Colonel Sarr as Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Military at State House ground.

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Chief of Staff Lieutenant Tamba swearing in

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During the swearing in of permanent secretaries, the President posed for a photo, flanked by the two PSs at his Office (right) and the PS Department of Health and Social Welfare.

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Fisheries Permanent Secretary Kotu Cham swearing in before the audience.

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Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Tamsir Manga swearing in.

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Education Permanent Secretary Baboucarr Boye also swearing.

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Pictures taken by Sulayman Gassama
Earlier News Reports available at Archives

Top members of the High Command of the Gambia Armed Forces were sworn in last Thursday at a ceremony held at State House presided over by President Jammeh the Commander-in-Chef.

Chief of Defence staff Colonel Assan Sarr, the Chief of staff Lt. Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, commander Gambia National Guards (GNA) Lt. Colonel Ndure Cham, commander Gambia Navy Lt. Sarjo Fofana, were decorated with pips for their new ranks and sworned in to assume their new positions in the Gambia's military.

In the same engagement

Six permanent Secretaries, Kinsa Jawara and Abdou Touray both permanent secretaries at the Office of the President, Essa Khan permanent secretary at Health Department, Momodou Kotu Cham of Fisheries Department, Tamsir Manga of Trade Department and Baboucarr Boye of Education Department, took their oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy.

The piping and swearing-in ceremony for the country's military top brass also saw the decoration of the commander of the Turkish Gendarmerie training team Guray Alpar, who has just been promoted to the rank of colonel by his government whilst serving in The Gambia.

Speaking on the occasion, President Jammeh said whether a permanent secretary or commandant, they are all role models, and that it is important for all of them to know that they have a great responsibility in their various areas.

The commander-in-chief advised his his top lieutenants in the military to work as a team and as one family.

The President took the opportunity to congratulate the Turkish Gendarmerie commander, describing him as an exceptional officer, and welcomed the fact that he was promoted to his new rank while serving in The Gambia.

"He who helps you to defend yourself assures you peace and stability, and, of course, smooth and sustainable development. This is what Turkey has done, and we are grateful. On behalf of all Gambians, we thank colonel Alpar, and through him the President and people of Turkey".

"Turkey is one country in Europe with whom we have a very strategic alliance, and is one country that has been consistent in their generosity towards The Gambia," the President said, noting that the training provided by the TGTT to Gambian service personnel means they are now high demand for peacekeeping missions worldwide.

He reminded the permanent secretaries that they are the technical and executing arm of their secretaries of state, pointing out that they have sworn to do their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

"The bottom line is that you are suppose to do your duties according to the Laws of The Gambia, according to the principle of equality, meaning that you will treat all manner of men and women that come before you, based on the principle of merit".

The permanent secretary Department of State for Defence, Bai Ousman Secka, gave a brief history of the national security services, starting with the formation of the Gambia Field Force in 1961.

Prior to the Field Force there existed the Royal West African Frontier Force under the British rule of which The Gambia had a company, called the Gambia Company.

This was later changed to the Gambia Auxiliary Force and subsequently the Field Force.

After 20 years of existence, the Field Force was disbanded in 1981 and in 1992, replace by the newly-formed Gendarmerie. This was followed by the formation of the Gambia National Army in 1984.

The Gambia National Army existed parallel with the Gendarmerie, until 1994 when the two institutions were amalgamated under one structure and one Command.

In addition to the amalgamation, further restructuring and re-organisation of the Gambia National Army was carried out in 1986 leading to its expansion, and the creation of the tri-services under the Gambia Armed Forces namely, the Gambia National Army, the Gambia National Guard and the Gambia Navy.

Each of these services is headed by a commander, with the chief of defence staff and chief of staff at the apex under the President and Commander-in-Chief.

"From our point of view, this was the real beginning of a genuine process to modernise the army and to keep up with evolving military trends and developments. As a result, great emphasis being placed on providing the best of training to all our military personnel".

That is why today we are proud to say that we now have well-trained and disciplined soldiers prepared to play meaningful roles in meeting our national development objectives".