Crispin Grey-Johnson, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology was yesterday sworn-in at State House in Banjul.

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony, the Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh thanked Crispin Grey-Johnson for accepting what he called a daunting challenge. President Jammeh said no country will survive in this 21 century without higher education, science and technology. “This Department of State is long overdue. We cannot continue to depend on other country’s scientists for our national development requirments. You will train people who will be conducting research for our country’s requirements,” he said.
The Gambian leader said the country has more than enough intelligent Gambians to be trained. “Our objective is that before the end of five years, we would have our own home grown scientists and researchers in order to be independent and retain the resources we have and for us to move forward as a modern country in the 21st century. Science and technology are indispensable, if we are to attain our vision 2020 objective,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs said there could not have been a better candidate than Crispin Grey-Johnson for this portfolio, due to his cumulative experience. “He is an intellectual per excellence. I have no doubt that SoS Johnson can handle this portfolio particularlly if he is given all the support needed. Without Science and Tecnology no country can develop’’, she revealed.

In a brief statement shortly after taking his Oath of Office, Secrecy and Allegiance, SoS Crispin Grey-Johnson commended President Jammeh for entrusting him with the responsibility. “It goes without saying that your vision for our nation in Vision 2020 and more recently, your Silicon Valley project will not be realised unless we have the manpower and the human resource base to implement that vision. This new department, you have created takes on a very heavy responsibility for the implementation of your objective and the realisation of your vision through the creation of Gambia’s middle and high level manpower”, he said.

Secretary of State Crispin Grey-Johnson assured the Gambian leader that he will go all out to deliver to expectations so as to create men and women who would tranform The Gambia into a modern nation. “I look forward to everybody’s cooperation in the cabinet and out side”, he added.