Bakary Barry

Doctor Manneh’s smear campaign case reminds me about Dr. Ebrima Ceesay. The same people who misled Lt.Colonel Sam Sarr spearheaded similar smear campaign against Dr. Ceesay. They said Ceesay was a school dropout from Latri-Kunda Secondary School. That, he was promoted as Daily Observer News Editor by Mr. Kenneth Y Best, without any formal journalistic qualifications.

Yes, Dr. Ceesay had not attended High School in The Gambia, but had successfully completed his Masters and PHD program in the United Kingdom. There are University records available to corroborate his graduation.

Through his hard work, perseverance, dedication and commitment Dr. Ceesay is today a role model for early school leavers in Africa and beyond. He has proven himself beyond all reasonable doubts that he was a meritorious student. His critics, haters and secret enemies, if you like, who for out of jealousy have nothing to do but to make up stories against his person.

Sam Sarr should refused to be dragged into trivial issues, which have no bearing or relevance to the issues at hand. What matter’s intellectual honesty and commitment to salvage our dear country, The Gambia. Nothing less, nothing more!!

It’s unfortunate that some individuals spent most of their precious time backstabbing their fellow Gambians for nothing. How can Dr. Ceesay be a school drop out and yet he attained his PHD in political Science? Ceesay is one of the leading journalists in Africa. He got good command of the English language and a brilliant orator for that matter.

I’m compelled to bring Dr. Ceesay’s case into this debate for Sam to understand where the problem started. Sam must be talking to the wrong people. The same people lied that Dr. Manneh falsified his credentials. They also questioned Dr. Ceesay’s PHD qualifications behind closed doors. I’m sure Dr. Ceesay is aware of these detractors posing as friends indeed. That’s the typical Gambian style. There are few in our midst who had different colors. They say good things in your presence, but behind you back, they would curse your parents. That’s a sign of cowardice. One should be man enough to speak his or her mind all the time.

I have known Dr. Ceesay over the years. He successfully completed his Secondary Education at LK, before pursuing skill training at the Gambia Technical Training Institute. Ceesay also worked at the Information Department for sometime before joining Mr. Best at the Daily Observer. A school dropout is someone who does not have a certificate. Ceesay had multiple certificates to brandish online if called upon to do so.

Mr. Ceesay can write better than his critics, who claimed that he had not attained high school education. Writing bombastic words, don’t make one a good writer.

As Baba Galleh Jallow clearly pointed out in his interview with Freedom, a good communicator should be able to express his messages in a simple, concise and clear manner. That’s what we call a good writer. You don’t write to please your audience. What’s the point of writing when your readers cannot understand what you are trying to put across.

A good writer must avoid using big words or ambiguous statements that might confuse the reader. I think some of our so called graduates need to have a basic course on writing presentation. Such courses would go a long way in improving their writing standards.

I harbored no grudges against Sam Sarr, but I must say that I can’t stand his hypocrisy. He has reduced himself to a laughing stock for nothing.

The same Dr. Manneh, he is doubting his qualifications, one way or the other had contributed into the speeding up of his overseas studies then. Sam needs to find time and visit the achieves of The Department of State For Finance and the Personal Management office to verify this report. The Gambia is a small country, where people know one and another. If you live in a glass’s house, please don’t throw stone.

What’s the significance of having multiple degrees and yet you cannot have a skilled job in the US? Africans should learn to accept one and another. We should end this culture of “ if you cannot get him personally, pull him down” syndrome. Both Dr. Manneh and Ceesay are doctors in their own fields. Their past educational backgrounds is irrelevant. What’s important is that they have graduated with honors.

If you cannot stand the qualifications of these folks, no one is stopping you from pursuing a PHD program. Go ahead and apply for Financial Aid and read. Stop the talking and do something worthwhile. Too much grudge, hatred and jealousy can lead to heart attack. In order to prevent any future anger and stress management therapy, free your mind and recognize people’s hard earned achievements. That’s the only way out to nurse stress and ego problem.

Ambassador Essa Bokaar Sey also suffered the same smear campaign. Out of jealousy, some doubted his credentials. Sey is one the country's leading poets. He writes superb English and also a very good orator. Unless, we depart from this culture of jealousy and hatred, Africa would continue to lack behind. Lets recognize the achievements of our people. There shouldn't be any room for heard feelings.

As I signoff on my part two series, I patiently awaits to see Sam’s reaction to my pieces. Throughout, my presentation I tried to be Civil. Lets engage in a matured debate and stop the smear campaigns. Look out for part three of my writing series on this important subject.