By Isatou Sarr
Balla Kandeh, former Programme Manager of the Malaria Health Control Programme, has denied allegations of corruption and wrongdoing related to a health study conducted under the Health Promotion Development Organisation (HePDO).
Kandeh appeared before Justice Jaiteh at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, insisting that he had no role in hiring consultants for the study. He said his involvement was limited to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HePDO.
When presented with exhibits showing the CVs of three consultants, Kandeh said he had never interacted with them. He explained that the Malaria Health Control Programme was not responsible for recruiting consultants, and that the MOU he signed outlined programmatic and financial arrangements, including methodology, data collection, analysis, payment schedules, and reporting periods.
“I did not participate in the study,” Kandeh told the court. He added that the late Lamin Jarju, Special Director for Vector Control, coordinated all activities, including managing the consultants and ensuring implementation of the MOU.
Facing charges of official corruption, Kandeh said he acted within his mandate. “Signing MOUs and policy documents is part of my role. The MOU I signed was with a recognised partner that has been implementing malaria control programmes in The Gambia for over a decade,” he said.
The prosecution alleges that Kandeh violated the Public Procurement Act by hiring consultants and signing agreements that caused the government to lose D11,470,023.04. Kandeh denied the claims, stating he did not hire any consultants, did not receive any financial benefit, and did not know about improper hiring.
“All I did was sign an MOU that clearly outlined the responsibilities of the NGO involved,” he said. “It was not my responsibility to hire consultants. I was not aware that any consultants had been hired, as this was the duty of the late Lamin Jarju.”
Kandeh also noted that the study was necessary to assess malaria resistance levels before the World Health Organization introduced new mosquito bed nets.
The case continues as the court examines the prosecution’s claims of economic loss and alleged misconduct.
