The Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, has once again renewed his unreserved commitment to the course of education, with a pledge of D2m towards the education project of the Jammeh Foundation for Peace.

The president said that the pledges, D1m each, were from the Mariam Yahya Jammeh Fund and Muhammed Yahya Jammeh Fund, and they are earmarked for the girls and boys education projects of the Foundation for Western Region.

In the same vein, Professor Jammeh also donated a brand new double cabinet pick-up to the Foundation’s hospital, as well as five brand new sets of computers and two laptops, all aimed at enhancing effective service delivery at JFP. Cognisant of the increase in demand for the JFP hospital, the president also pledged his resolve to increase the bed capacity to 200 in a bid to address related constraints. He also hinted on the need for a theatre room at the hospital.

All these happened yesterday, when members of the board of directors of the Foundation called on the president at State House to present to him a check of over D3.4m, being the net profit of JFP’s fundraising event with the Senegalese musician, Alieu Mbaye Nderr, which took place in October last year.

Speaking at the meeting held at the cabinet room, Professor Jammeh commended them on behalf of the first lady, Madam Zainab Yahya Jammeh, who is the Foundation’s President, for their selfless service to humanity. He described the recent fund raising show with Alieu Mbaye Nderr as one of the most successful event ever held. President Jammeh harped on the impressive achievements of the Foundation on all its areas of operation, particularly in the health and education sectors.

Despite the significant achievements by the Foundation, the Gambian leader insisted that the objective for which it had been established have not been met yet. He stressed that the objective of the Foundation is to eradicate poverty in The Gambia and, to some extent, beyond. Aware of the role the mass media can play in disseminating the activities of the Foundation, Professor Jammeh tasked the officials to work on the process of setting up their own web-site so as to give  room for wider coverage. He also implore the officials not to relent in their effort to work with both the electronic and print media.

“We started as a clinic, with the provision of basic medical services to the people at the area,” he said, and he added: “but the demand has necessitated it turning into a full fledge hospital. He expressed hope that the Foundation will move from strength to strength, “with the support of all and sundry.”

 Professor Jammeh went on to implore the officials at JFP to direct their 2009 funds to youth development and empowerment, advising them to assess those with ambitions and empower them for self-employment ventures. In this regard, Professor Jammeh called for more attention to be focused on those who want to engage in high revenue generating ventures such as fishing, livestock rearing and carpentry, as these are the areas in which the country is lacking in people to explore and, as a result, have been left out for foreigners to explore.

 While applauding the leadership of the JFP board, the officials and philanthropists for their support to the Foundation, Professor Jammeh reaffirmed his untiring commitment in making it an organisation that will take the lead in the crusade against poverty in the country and beyond.

The vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, who is the board chairperson of Jammeh Foundation for Peace, hailed the Gambian leader’s generosity, saying that the benevolent gesture will go a long way in complimenting the activities of the Foundation.

She joined the president in describing the fundraising as successful. Expressing her unwavering commitment to the course of the Foundation, Dr Njie Saidy described President Jammeh’s resolve to humanity as exemplary. Briefing the Gambian leader about the outcome of the 2008 fundraising event, Ardy Sarge, Proprietor of Sarges Hotel, who is the chairperson of the Foundation’s fundraising committee, reported that they had raised a total amount of over six million dalasi.

He revealed that after a subtraction of the working capital and total expenses, they realised a net profit of over D3.4 million dalasi. Ardy Sarge further reported that the Foundation has so far raised over D16 million within a period of three years, revealing that that amount was disbursed among 88 community-based organisations and other charitable organisations in the country. He then commended President Jammeh for his foresight in creating such an initiative with the aim of combating the menace of poverty.

Ansumana Jammeh, executive director of JFP, spoke at length about the achievements and activities of the foundation since its inception. Jammeh revealed their plans for 2009, noting that they hope to provide scholarships to at least 150 students across the country. He also revealed their intention to construct the Foundation’s main hospital.

Kebba Manneh, the chief executive officer of the JFP Hospital, highlighted some constraints hindering effective service delivery at there, notably mobility, and the limited capacity to accommodate many admitted patients. Manneh also spoke about the need for the Foundation to go in for infrastructural development in a bid to ensure more effective service delivery.

Bai Matarr Drammeh, board member of the Foundation, joined the previous speakers in commending President Jammeh for his support to them. Ismaila Sambou, SOS for Local Governments and Lands; Sheriff Gomez, SOS for Youth and Sports; and Ousman Sonko, SOS for the Interior, all hailed the achievements of the Foundation. While describing its performance as great, they all hailed President Jammeh for his dedication to the course of humanity.

Meanwhile, President Jammeh also had separate engagements, where he received a former teacher of his, and later the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, who presented a consignment of farm produce to him. The full detail of those reports will come on our Monday edition.