By Yunus S Saliu
A Gambian Denmark-based philanthropist Sulayman JunkungSawaneh and his team on Monday, 14th August 2023 visited the Gambia Prison Service to donate numerous items which include a refrigerator, bedsheets, weight measurement machines, packets of bar soap, BP machines, eyeglasses, and so on.
The donation ceremony was held at the Gambia Central Prison in Banjul.
Receiving the items, Ansumana Manneh, the Director General of the Gambia Prison Service thanked the donor, Mr. SulaymanJunkung Sawaneh, and described the donation of the items as a continuity to what he started many years back.
DG Manneh affirmed that the donor, Mr. Sulayman JunkungSawaneh, was the first person to donate television and radio to the Gambia Prison Service many years ago “he was the first to provide radio for the inmates inside their cells to listen and know what is going on outside the cell.”
He explained further saying along the line, “Through him also, the Gambia Prison Service got television for the inmates to have access to the news and events in the wider world. And this was way back when the Gambia Prison was inaccessible by everyone.”
He noted that his philanthropic gesture to the prison was one of the reasons he could not delay the presentation rather than welcoming him and will inform the Ministry about the items after the donation ceremony.
The Director General, once again, thanked Mr Sawaneh and said his gesture is always appreciated and valued especially since they are all needed items at the GPS “and they will be put into good use for the purpose they are meant for.”
On his part, Mr. Sulayman Junkung Sawaneh, thanked the GPS led by DG Manneh saying whatever he donates, he did it from the bottom of his heart.
He stressed that whatever they need that he has in his possession he will be more than happy to provide it.
He encouraged other Gambians to be their brother’s keepers and help where it is necessary because it is a shame when you have the means and powers to help but you do not.
Kalilou Jaiteh, who had accompanied the donor to the GPS gave a brief information about Mr Sawaneh’s philanthropic gesture and said he paved the way for others.
Mr Jaiteh also alluded to the remarks of the director general of the GPS saying “Sulayman’s generosity didn’t start now but since the first regime.”
He, therefore, joined the DG of the GPS to thank him.
Dr Yusupha Jabang, the Medical Officer of the GPS expressed delight over the donation saying the health service of the GPS is being improved by the government.
He noted that some of the materials donated by the donor are not accessible here saying they might be little in the presence of the donor but big to the management of the GPS
