By Ousman A. Marong
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) on Friday, 10 January 2020 decorated eighteen (18) of its personnel to various ranks.
The decoration ceremony was officiated by the GAF’s top officer, Lieutenant General (Lt.Gen.) Massaneh N. Kinteh. The decorated soldiers were elevated to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Captain.
Amongst them, 10 soldiers were promoted to the rank of Captain, while 6 army officers were promoted to the rank of Major, and the remaining two (2) were moved to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
CDS Kinteh informed, “Effective leadership at all levels of command is the duty and responsibility of the officer core.”
Addressing the elevated senior officers at Army joint-headquarters in Banjul, the chief of GAF reminded them that promotion in becoming a senior officer comes with greater challenges. Kinteh, however, said he expected his men to face difficulties with the right attitude.
He also challenged the promoted personnel to prepare themselves in order to face the realities associated with their new ranks.
CDS Kinteh went on to advise the newly promoted officers to maintain the highest standard of discipline, loyalty and commitment to national duty, and to leave up expectations.
Lt.Gen.Kinteh further encouraged his officers, saying he didn’t doubt their abilities as officers, and that through their capacities, they can make an impact on the reform process of the Armed Forces.
The second-in-Command of GAF, Major General Yakuba Drammeh reminded the officers of their oaths.
In his words: “This is a very strong oath that soldiers normally take. I believe, you will keep up to the promises.
“Promotion in the Military is not mere decoration. It goes with additional responsibility with commitment.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Abdoulie Manneh, speaking on behalf of his fellow promoted officers, re-echoed the oft-repeated adage, “to whom much is given much is expected”.
He said promotion in the army is based on hard work and that hard work goes with promotion.
Officer Manneh hailed their Commander-in-Chief President Adama Barrow, and CDS Kinteh for the promotions.
The decorated military personnel took seven different oaths which are: oaths of office, secrecy, trust, allegiance to the Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces(GAF), allegiance to the state, and allegiance to the people of The Gambia.
The military ceremony was also witnessed by senior members of the GAF.
