By Bakary Barry.
It’s going to take a while before the erstwhile Army Commander Samsudeen Sarr, is going to regain his credibility. Mr. Sarr’s recent attempt to apologize to Dr. Manneh for erroneously doubting his credentials as a PHD graduate, clearly suggests that Sarr relied on “ agents of misinformation hell bent on smearing the image of Dr. Manneh.” Sarr needs to cross check his facts before penning them online. If Sam Sarr can report erroneous stories about Dr. Manneh, what is going to stop him from sugarcoating his recently published book titled "coup" in The Gambia? Remember that most of the accounts in that book were based on secondary evidence and not first class information. Let Sam prove me wrong if he feels that what I reported here is inaccurate. It’s time for stocktaking. Sam Sarr needs to be investigated since he is publishing misleading stories about the person of Dr.Manneh without any formal authentication. Thanks to Suntou Touray, Sam’s erroneous reportage on Dr. Manneh has been corrected. Sam says he reported wrong information about Dr. Manneh. He went to add that Dr. Manneh was the first black to receive a doctorate degree from Rutgers University. The same Sam Sarr questioned Dr.Manneh’s credentials online. Very interesting!!
While, I have no intention of questioning the veracity of the content of that book, it’s important to note that Sam Sarr has shattered his credibility by making unsubstantiated allegations against Dr. Manneh. Sam, supposedly an author of many years of experience, ought to have done his homework right before writing such a slanderous piece against the person of Dr. Manneh.
Authenticating facts was alien to the so called runaway army Lt. Colonel. Sam just rushed and penned information he gathered from the grapevine. Not everything spoken is the truth. Some speak out of grudge, hatred and malice. Dr. Manneh is a victim of smear campaign by people with ulterior motives. Sam should cross check his facts before passing judgments on respectable former officials like Dr. Manneh.
Dr. Manneh has been known to be a productive intellectual. He contributed immensely toward Gambia’s pre and post independence. No one can deny him his hard earned degree.
If Dr.Manneh was unschooled as claimed by his detractors, Sir Dawda Jawara would not have entrusted him with key positions in Government. Here was a person entrusted with the economic nerves of the Gambia during the First Republic. During his tenure as Finance and Economic Affairs Minister, Dr. Manneh initiated sound economic policies to advance the nation.
Failing to secure skilled job in corporate America, does not disqualifies Manneh from his hard earned credentials. The job Market in the US is competitive and Sam is aware of that. Acquiring higher education, does not guarantee you a job. People should stop judging others.
As long as Manneh was able to pay his bills, take care of his family and other pressing family needs, he is good to go. What’s bad is to become a liability to the community, where you lived. America is not a place where grownup dudes are baby sited. You got to work or risked being homeless.
It’s only in The Gambia, where people worried too much about the type of job one does to earn a living. In the West, you have no choice but to work. There is dignity in any labor. You got to work or you live in the streets.
Admitted, Sam Sarr is not the first person to comment on Dr. Manneh’s qualifications. He happens to be the conveyer of the said message from agents of hate and envy.
Dr. Manneh has been a victim of smear campaign, hate and grudge. People who virtually have no clue about Dr. Manneh’s student and political life, want to make us believe that they mentored Dr. Manneh. People spreading false information about Dr. Manneh should think twice. It’s unfair to smear people’s personalities just for the sake of hate and personal vendetta.
Now that Colonel Sarr has openly apologized to Dr.Manneh, what is the fate of those who said Manneh is a fake graduate. Sam was honest enough to admit to his mistakes, which was a commendable move.
Mr. Sarr should prove to his readership that he owns his mind and pen. It’s totally unacceptable to rely on “misguided and malicious” information gathered from unreliable sources to attack the personalities of others. Sam needs to go back to his source and said “ you misled and humiliated me for nothing.”
Mere apology is not enough. Calling Dr. Manneh on the phone or one of his loved ones might saved you from any future litigation. Dr.Manneh reserves the right to seek legal redress if he so wishes. Sam have not only put Dr. Manneh’s person into disrepute, but his family as well. Dr.Manneh’s sons and daughters have access to the internet. They will no doubt hate to see folks like Sam doubting the credentials of their Dad.
Dr. Manneh’s doctorate degree was hard earned. He toiled for it. Therefore, it’s an insult for anyone to deny him his hard earned degrees. How will Sam feel if Dr. Manneh calls him a soldier without qualifications? How will Sam feel if his kids read on the internet, others doubting his qualifications?
Sam’s misguided piece on Dr.Manneh tells a lot about the type of person he is. Gambians should start scrutinizing his recently published book. We need facts and not fiction.
If Sam wants to be taken seriously by Gambians, he should avoid to be over carried by unauthenticated information. If he continues to report unsubstantiated stories on people without proper research, I can bet that sooner or later, he would loose his audience.
Doctor Manneh’s case can scare others from buying his book. Nobody wants to read an author who publishes stories without cross checking his facts. Sam needs to work very hard to keep his credibility. When people started doubting your credibility, it’s difficult to win their hearts and minds. Please take note Sam!!!
Dr. Manneh’s son Sir Dawda has been displaying copies of his Dad’s degrees to individuals interested in seeking the truth. The Manneh family are very upset with Sam Sarr. They just can't believe that a person of Sam’s caliber can stoop too low to make such unfounded allegations against their Dad.
No one wants to see your Dad ridiculed on the internet. Manneh has grown sons and daughters. Information reported about him must be factual.
L.T Colonel Sarr should think before he leaps. Preserving the reputation of our seniors is crucially imperative. No one is stopping you to write about Dr. Manneh, but for heaven sake do your home right before making unsubstantiated allegations. He who accuses, should be able to prove his allegations. Sam Sarr has woefully failed to prove his allegations against Dr. Manneh. What a shame? Teach our children the right thing. Misinformation, smear campaign and blackmailing will not take us anywhere. Why should Gambians believe in Sam Sarr again? I challenge Sam to defend himself. Have a great day Sir!!