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Gambia : It is Against my will to be hiring and firing - Jammeh

President Yahya Jammeh has said that it is against his will to hire people only to fire them again, noting that conditions force him to do so, according to a news broadcast aired over GRTS. The Gambian leader issued this statement while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of the Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment and five other new Public Service Commissioners at State House last Thursday.

According to the news broadcast, President Jammeh called for an overhaul of the system of progression. "We have to move from the tradition of promotion by seniority to promotion by merit."

"You can be a graduate from High School and tomorrow you are a Minister. It depends on what you want for your country," President Jammeh asserted.

Buttressing his point, President Jammeh added: "Even in the army, we have changed from seniority-based promotion to performance-based promotion."

"In fact, it has enhanced discipline. Lackadaisical attitude of going to work has changed in the army," Dr. Jammeh disclosed.

He therefore expressed the need to execute the same in the public service so as to engender a change in attitudes.

The new Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment, Abdou Colley, pledged to execute his duties according to the laws of the country without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

The sworn-in Public Service Commissioners include Edward Sowe as Chairman, Gibril Osi Wright as Vice Chairman, Abdou Ceesay, Ebrima Dondeh and Awa Jaw- Oba as members.

Chairman Sowe in his remarks promised to take up the challenges ahead.

The Vice President, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, also spoke on the occasion.