Gambia News and Report weekly magazine has named President Yahya Jammeh as its Man of the Year for 2007.
According to a press release issued to this paper last evening, the magazine’s Editor and Publisher, Mr Swaebou Conateh, attributed the selection to what it considered the President’s remarkable success in bringing about unprecedented innovations in the application of herbal medicine as a treatment, with proven overseas laboratory tests and personal testimonies of individuals concerned, especially of HIV/AIDS. Below we reproduce the unedited version of the said press release.

The Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has been named The Gambia News and Report weekly magazine’s Man of the Year, 2007. The magazine’s editor and publisher is Swaebou Conateh, who is also the Managing Director of the publishing company, The Gambia Communication Agency and Baroueli Enterprises.

The magazine’s criteria for selecting “Man of the Year,” as explained by the letter, is based on the following considerations:

1.) The person selected must be someone who, through his/her work, profession or personal endeavour, is judged to have contributed the most to the public welfare and to advancing the country’s development in the interest of all Gambians.

2.) He or she must have contributed significantly in enhancing in a direct and tangible form, the social and economic status of Gambians as a whole.

3.) He or she would have put in place for posterity facilities and or infrastructures and other achievements that can serve as a lasting memorial of his/her contributions to national development.
Previous Man or Gambian of The Year named by the paper were Amadou Samba, Pa Sallah Jagne, Dr. Ebrima Samba, Dr. Lenrie Peters, Lamin Waa Juwara, lsatou Njie Saidy, Bye Lamin Jobe, Mrs. Harriet Ndow, Imam Karamo Touray, Hassan Jallow, Ousman B. Conateh (Fisko), Muhammed Jah, Deyda Hydara and Pa Sallah Jeng. Bolong Sonko and Mustapha Njie (joint awardees). In the letter conveying the news of the award to the Gambian leader, Mr. Swaebou Conateh of the Dippakunda-based Gambia Communication Agency and Baroueli Enterprises, the publishers of “The News and Report” weekly, states:

Because of your remarkable success at bringing about unprecedented innovations in the application of herbal medicine as a treatment, with proven overseas laboratory tests and the personal testimonies of the individuals concerned, of HIV/AIDS, a disease for which a cure has eluded the world scientific community for the past 20 years or so.

—your success at helping to bring an end to the stigma attached to the disease HIV /AIDS in Gambian society

—your use of herbal medicine to treat such other incurable illnesses as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure, in addition to which is also the latest developments you registered in the area of treatment for female infertility

—the courageous and exemplary stand you have taken to both provide your services free of charge, and to protect your singular method of treating these diseases with the aid of the Muslim Holy Book of the Qu’ ran despite the doubts and criticisms of some powerful media groups and interested parties in the medical and pharmaceutical fields

In addition, we also acknowledge your management of the country’s affairs since 1994 during which time you, among other things,

1)— were elected to office of President three times

2)—brought about rapid developments and improvements in education, health, agriculture, sports, culture, information/communication and infrastructure
 
3)—husbanded and safeguarded the country’s finances, thereby bringing inflation and currency depreciation under control and, in the 2008 national budget, turning to a surplus the deficit that had existed previously.

4)—successfully undertook reforms in the fiscal, financial and economic areas and consequently, restoring micro-economic stability for investment opportunities (e.g. in banking and tourism), for economic growth
5)—successfully providing for and hosting the 7th AU summit in Banjul in June, 2006 without adverse effects on the national budget. 6)—upheld our culture, religious way of life and traditions for others especially the young to imbibe,
 
In view of the fact that:

1. Your case also illustrates possibilities for individual Africans who care about their country’s standing in today’s world and points to the importance of individual strength of character and high principles.
 
2. You have shown, by your conduct and example, a high level of personal sacrifice, discipline, administrative, management and technical skills

3. By so doing, you have reserved to yourself the high regard and admiration which has won to your side the applause of many Gambians.

And since we believe that, like some other prominent leaders of the past, your story will remain for all Gambians an important example of leadership, to serve as a point of reference in terms of service to the nation and to humanity at large, we take this opportunity to salute you for what you have been able to achieve in the annals of our country’s history. We know your skills, courage, sacrifice, steadfastness and highly commendable contributions are bound to remain a source of inspiration and exemplary conduct to our citizens now and generations unborn.

The management of “The Gambia News And Report” weekly magazine being thus satisfied that you have met the requirements to be designated the magazine’s “Man of the Year 2007,” now congratulate you most heartily on your selection and designation. Congratulations on your well merited recognition.

While wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous new year, allow us, Mr. President to also congratulate you and Her Excellency, Madam Zainab Jammeh, on the birth of your son, Muhammed Yahya Jammeh, and to wish him long life, good health and prosperity.

“The Gambia News and Report” magazine, which started publication as a monthly in February, 1992, has since June 1996 been published weekly.