By: Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow on Wednesday, 21 May, graced the graduation ceremony of Intake 39 of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) held at McCarthy Square in Banjul.
Delivering a congratulatory speech, Barrow, the Commander-in-Chief of the GAF extended his warmest congratulations to the 351 young men and women who successfully completed 22 weeks of rigorous basic military training. He praised them for demonstrating resilience, discipline, and mental fortitude required to transition from civilian life to the professional ranks of the GAF.
“Your journey thus far indicates commitment to the sovereignty and security of our dear nation, which you solely value more than yourselves. I proudly consider the occasion not merely as a graduation ceremony, but also a strong recognition of your acceptance and admission to one of the noble ranks of Gambian patriots ready at all times to respond to the call for national duty to answer the call of service wherever and whenever the need arises,” the President said.
He added that the call to military service was not only a professional path but also a noble and honourable calling. “It demands loyalty, courage, and an unwavering sense of duty,” he said.
The President urged the new soldiers to always remember that military service requires discipline in action, humility in leadership, and adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
“As you wear the uniform of our Armed Forces, never forget that you are defenders of our territorial integrity and guardians of the ideals upon which our republic is anchored,” he stressed. “As we celebrate your achievement, we must also acknowledge the broader strategic context in which the Gambian Armed Forces operates. In this era, marked by complex security threats both traditional and non-traditional the role of the professional military has never been more critical,” he added.
Reaffirming his government’s continued support to the Armed Forces, President Barrow stated: “We will continue to invest in infrastructure, training, logistics, equipment, and the welfare of the personnel in accordance with our democratic values.”
He concluded by urging the graduates to protect national interests, uphold accountability, and respect civilian oversight.
