Dr Malick Njie, the newly appointed secretary of state for Health and Social Welfare was yesterday sworn into office together with three high court judges and two Judicial Service Commission members at State House, Banjul.

Saffiatou Njie, Na-Ceesay Sallah-Wadda, and Joseph Wowo were sworn-in as High Court judges, and Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim and Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang as Judicial Service Commission members.

During the swearing-in ceremony, all the newly appointees swore that they would be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of The Gambia, in accordance with the law.

Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, President Alhaji Dr Jammeh thanked them for accepting the tasks. He told them to be steadfast in their responsibilities and live up to expectations.

The judiciary, he said, is a very important arm of the government and further noted that there must be a good justice delivery system in the country.

He said: “Our sister countries have been very good and cooperative in making sure that we achieve a good justice delivery system”.

He advised the two Gambian judges to do what is right and fear nobody except Allah who sees and knows whatever is done.”

“You have sworn that you will do your duties without fear or favour and God will not help you if you try to favour one. Nobody can deny you what you are supposed to get.

I know that it is not easy to be a judge as some will hate you for the judgement you may deliver but that does not mean that you should fear or favour. Do what is right,” he advised.

President Jammeh added that he is aware of the constrains faced by the judiciary but said his government will do its best to address those issues, adding that he will help the judiciary to work under a conducive environment. He observed that it is only the women who are ready to take challenging jobs.

Concerning the two judicial members, President Jammeh described them as exemplary, being teachers and role models in society. He said the two are people who have been a source of inspiration for other ladies to follow and have been working tremendously and continue to do more.

Key sectors
President Jammeh further revealed that agriculture, education and health are key to his government’s priorities, noting that he wants to build a modern and healthy Gambia.

He added that it is against his will to sack people and anytime he thinks of sacking somebody, he thinks of the person’s family, which is why if he sacks someone, he would not explain.

He further revealed that he has no friend when it comes to national development and was quick to warn that anyone who cannot deliver should leave.

“Even if your whole body is green and Jammeh, if you don’t deliver you will go. We are not in the planning stage but rather in the implementation period. So you must deliver and then become my friend. You should all know that you are working for the country and not Jammeh. If you are working for me, I will employ you at Kanilai Farm. So you are not working for me,” Jammeh stated.

Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, the vice president and secretary of state for Women Affairs said the women of this country are always ready to face the challenges of their job. She said that before, the Bench was highly dominated by Commonwealth judges but today The Gambia can boost of having her citizens serving at the Bench.

 However, she noted that to be part of the Bench is not easy but expressed hope that they will deliver.

VP Njie-Saidy added that “we are here to serve both the government and our country. We should be ready to sacrifice for our country. I know things are a bit difficult but it will be better very soon.

Also, the Judicial Service Commission will help the president in the dispension of a good judiciary system. People have been in remand for a long time and there should be speedy proceeding of cases so that they can also know their faith”.
She stated that though the Justice Department lacks some resources but they are still very effective and efficient.

For her part, Marie Saine-Firdaus, attorney-general and secretary of state for Justice, described the ceremony as a historical one, “Since independence, The Gambia has been assisted by her sister countries from the Commonwealth but now there are a good numbers of Gambians serving at the Bench,” she said.

She called on the newly appointed judges to try their best, urging male lawyers to join to the Bench to serve their country.

SoS Malick Njie, Justice Saffiatou Njie and Akomaye Agim, all assured President Jammeh that they are ready and willing to serve the government and the country. They thanked the president for the confidence he has shown in allowing them to serve.