University of The Gambia Staff Writes An Open Letter To President Jammeh!

By Concerned Staff

What is happening at the  UTG again? The Vice Chancellor has written to staff whose contracts have ended offering them 1 year contract against the normal condition of three years without the endorsement of the Governing Council. This is believe to be a ploy to eliminate the stubborn ones who are taking him on task and whom he believes  are not supporting him because of the current court case going on (IGP VS Gumbo Touray) .

We are all appointed by Council. There is no provision in the Act of the UTG  that he  can hire or fire without Council’s approval. What’s happening at the UTG is unacceptable. This man is behaving as if he owns the institution. 

Currently, there are over 50 members of staff, whose contract have elapsed and do not know their fate. It’s highly likely that some of us would be let go  on frivolous grounds.

Can the Chancellor  (the President of the Republic) act if Council that is a “Terri Kaffo”  cabal who sympathizes with Professor  Kah can’t fulfill the trust vested in them only there to receive  sitting allowance.

Let the VC be reminded that his local and international salaries are tax free.  Is the Tax Commission aware? He is paid $10,000 ten (thousand dollars)  per year  for his house allowance and yet he live in his own property.  His wife is also enjoying the same package. The GRA should investigate.

Editor’s note: Professor Kah could not be reached for immediate comment. But one of the protesting UTG staffers told us that they have made repeated attempts to access the President with the view of tabling the matter before the head of state, but the Secretary General Njogu Bah is not receptive to their plight. The UTG staffer said they would love to meet President Jammeh before the next convocation scheduled for February.  

The staffer said that with Njogu Bah, who is also a cousin of the Professor Kah,  occupying that post they are not assured of justice in regards to their complaints. The staffer is appealing to the President to seriously look into the affairs of the University, as the problem could degenerate into a crisis. In that some of the students are increasingly angry with the status quo.