Author: mankajang

“When I appeared before the scholarship committee for an interview in 1945, I discovered the Colonial Office made only three science awards available to The Gambia: two for studies in human medicine and one for veterinary medicine. The interview went very well and half way through I was almost sure of a place…. The committee… Continue reading Playing a bad hand well

One Dalasi bank note featuring Sir Dawda Jawara Exactly three months ago to the day I wrote a piece in response to the announcement that the Central Bank of The Gambia was coming up with new bank notes phasing out the old tender that featured the portrait of the tyrant Yaya Jammeh, the worst thing… Continue reading The Gambia’s Greatest Missed Opportunity

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. G.M.RG; G.C.M.G The country called The Gambia was the British empire's first and last colonial outpost in West Africa. Most people can't locate Gambia on the map of Africa unless they are familiar with it. Many more have never heard of it, and if they are curious enough and ask to… Continue reading Against All Odds: Celebrating an Icon

When leaders speak, we expect their every word to be dissected by the audience, especially if such a leader is of Halifa Sallah’s caliber and standing in The Gambian political scene. So after his presser yesterday August 13, 2019 social media and conventional media outlets have picked up on his wide ranging statements and they… Continue reading Hon. Halifa Sallah and the PDOIS agenda

Some of the victims' families A lot of our compatriots are understandably disappointed if not outright angry at the Barrow administration’s decision to release confessed murderers from detention because they offered the truth commission some valuable truths that could help in their drive to establishing an impartial record of human rights violations under the tyrant… Continue reading Making sense of the “Junglers’ release

The President knows very well that besides his sycophantic minions, the nation is overwhelmingly displeased with his governance style. He has burnt out the political goodwill he came with faster than a candle would melt in an inferno. January 2017 seems like a lifetime ago, when one recalls the reception Barrow received on his return… Continue reading The President is isolated and in denial

There were rumors and then dismissal of the rumors. There were names, but only of shadows in the dark. There were screams unheard, there were gasps muffled by plastic bags. There was darkness, loneliness, stillness, and death; lots of death! All shrouded in secrecy, done under the cover of darkness and all of it vehemently… Continue reading Shootings; strangulations; & suffocations. When the Death Squad storm

Lt. Yaya Jammeh The nation was sold on the idea of change, of soldiers with a difference only for those promises to become taboo words and in their wake a callous and brutal tyrant who spilled innocent blood with glee and without remorse even to this day. But tyrants and murderers do not appear overnight… Continue reading July 22nd, 1994 – What are you reminded of?