By Yunus S Saliu
The Minister of Health, Wednesday, received Global Gold Certificate of Merit Award from the Global Youth Parliament.
The Global Gold Certificate of Merit Award was presented to him in his office through the Global Youth Parliament – The Gambia led by the Country Coordinator and Deputy Country Coordinator, Baba Ceesay and Winifred Nicol respectively.
According to the statement boldly written on the certificate, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh was awarded “for being methodical, his integrity, hard work and good governance during the global coronavirus pandemic The Gambia.” This with congratulatory message which read “congratulations to all the health care workers in The Gambia,” statement concluded.
Receiving the Award, the Health Minister, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh expressed gratitude to members of Global Youth Parliament for the award while dedicated it to all the health workers of this country.
“I accept this awards on behalf of the entire health workers of this country and dedicate it to all health workers, security forces of this country and all people who are participating in the Covid-19 struggle for being there day and night, standing by each other and by the people of this country,” he acknowledged.
Expressing his surprise over the award, he said neither him nor his team thought of been recognized by an international body like the Global Youth Parliament as Coronavirus pandemic is a worldwide issue “that came with different kind of challenges.”
He identified some challenges of the coronavirus which the whole world is grappling with as this include lost of lives, physical, emotional, mental, social and financial sufferings which all challenges are brought together by the pandemic.
The Minister noted that it has not been easy for the health care workers because it has being a very challenging, demanding period with little or no sleep as it requires hard works, dedications, commitments on the part of the health care workers.
He therefore thanked the Global Youth Parliament for the surprise award and urged them to continue on their good works while assure the youth parliament especially the Gambia branch of his Ministry support and readiness to work with them to make sure their wishes are accomplish.
Dr Samateh extended gratitude to the government of The Gambia and the cabinet colleagues, technicians and administrators for their strong commitments in fighting against the coronavirus pandemic in this country.
Baba Ceesay, Coordinator of the Global Youth Parliament explained the rationale behind the Global Gold Certificate of Merit Award. He said the Global Youth Parliament worldwide have realized that among other countries, The Gambia is been doing well in fighting against the deadly virus.
He noted that the Global Gold Certificate is always giving to outstanding workers represented by one person. He went on to described the Gambia’s health care workers as ‘wonderful people’ which their efforts and works are visible to see by everyone.
On behalf of the Global Youth Parliament he congratulated the Ministers, health care works and all the frontline workers especially in this coronavirus pandemic.
Omar Faye, Public Relations Officer dilated on the aims and objective of the Global Youth Parliament – The Gambia and as well the impacts in the country since detected in the country in March 2020.
Pa Modou Cham gave a brief background of the Global Youth Parliament in the country while Winifred Nicol, Deputy Country Coordinator of the GYP read out the recommendation letter of the Global Youth Parliament to the Minister, as Dr Bittaye gave vote of thanks on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
