Ministers Sworn In At Kanilai

As Jammeh Transforms Kanilai Into Gambia’s Capital

Presidential Aide Says Jammeh Smokes Cocaine

By Staff Reporter Modou Tamba, Kanilai

Kanilai, the home village of President Yahya Jammeh was the scene for the swearing in ceremony of  another new batch of Ministers who were recently hired by the Head of State. The mentally challenged Gambian President, who is running The Gambia from his hamlet village—Wednesday welcomed the new hires, but with a stance warning that the Ministers must deliver if they truly want to keep their Ministerial jobs. The four Ministers who took  oath of office, secrecy and allegiance were: Fatou Mass Jobe, Lamin Kabba Bajo, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Alhagie A Cham, Baboucarr HM Jallow,Pierre Tamba, and Yusupha Kah. 

Banjul is the official capital of The Gambia—where the state house is situated, but The Gambian leader is apparently using Kanilai his native village, which has a population of less than 200 people  to run Government functions. The new Ministers were made to drive  all the way to Kanilai just to be sworn in.

The President in a relax mood informed the new hires that he does not take the delight in sacking Ministers. But Mr. Jammeh said Government workers should take their work seriously in order to be counted in his drive for nation building. He says as long as the Ministers were ready to work they should not worry about being sacked.  

Jammeh who had fired over 120 Ministers since coming to power in July of 1994 said his administration has zero tolerance for wanting Ministers. He called on the new hires to rise up to the challenges ahead. He reaffirmed his Government’s commitment in helping the Ministers to achieve their set goals in  their respective Ministries. 

In response, the Ministers assured their unflinching support for President Jammeh and his Government. They pledged their loyalty to  the President and vowed to live up to expectations.  

Mr. Jammeh is reported to be suffering from down syndrome—a mental illness, which is seemingly causing him to be unable to effectively discharge his duties as a Head of State. He often lives in constant fear and in some occasions developed malice relationship with his workers.

A close aide of the President said Mr. Jammeh’s ailing mental health conditions has been worsening, thanks to drug abuse. It has been alleged that Jammeh smokes cocaine—which is gradually consuming his system. The Presidential aide said Mr. Jammeh has been addicted to cocaine.