Njogou Lamin Bah, a Doctor or not?

Ever since The Gambia Echo broke news of Njogu Bah’s high profile appointment as The Gambia’s new Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, last Friday, our mail bag has been saturated with a preponderance of curious emails questioning the legitimacy of his alleged qualifications. Bah, a very polite and easy-going fellow claims to have received a doctoral degree in an unknown American University, a claim that continues  to raise eyebrows and in tandem with journalistic ethics, The Gambia Echo can no loner continue to censor emails doubting his academic qualifications. Below we reproduce; verbatim one such email expressing legitimate concern over Njogou Bah’s purported Doctor of Philosophy Degree. We also invite Mr. Bah and the Jammeh government to come forward and explain to the Gambian people what the truth is. This is what a government that preaches transparence, accountability and probity is expected to do- no more no less!   

“Dear Editor,

            Re: Njogou Bah’s PhD is false

I was quite apprehensive on your report that Njogu Bah who claims to be a PhD holder was appointed as Head of the Civil Service of The Gambia but came to terms with reality when the Government’s Jaliba (Daily Observer) published it today. Like all Gambians in  academia, I am offended by this academic dishonesty that does no good to the image of our country but will further create chaos within the rank and file of the Civil Service because this man is not qualified for the post neither does he hold a legitimate Doctoral degree.

True to tradition, many returned home with Masters Degrees form great reputable schools during the Jawara era and rose through the ranks. The likes of Baboucarr Sompo Ceesay, Foday Jarjusey, Mawdoh Touray, Bakary Dabo, Francis Mboge, Badara Alieu Joof, Basirou Jahumpa and Musa Bala Gaye just to name a minute few; received on the job training with their legitimate qualifications and most of them, never made it that far.
 
The reason for alluding to this is only because according to the Daily Observer publication, "Dr" Bah's only qualification that may have landed him the top job in the Republic is his service as Chairman of the APRC chapter in Atlanta, period. His profile cleverly dodged naming the academic institution he purportedly obtained his PhD from neither did it state the "Doctoral Dissertation” or Thesis which is a requirement. Furthermore, a well known Gambian Doctor currently in The Gambia has continuously questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Bah's Doctoral Degree though silently.

I know Njogu Bah well, he was married to a friend of mine, Merr Awe who has returned to Gambia and is in the petty trade business today. I spent time with them and I can say with my hands on the holy Quran that Njogou Bah never attended school in the United States. On the contrary, what he is known for here in Atlanta, Georgia was preaching and restaurant work and for him to call himself a Doctor, it’s not only academic dishonesty but a complete u-turn from his persona, a bonafide preacher of the Islamic faith for which he is well recognised and highly respected. But a PhD? Maybe in preaching at Gamos and Ngentehs!

Now the onus lies on Njogu Bah to prove to the world that he indeed holds an authentic Doctoral degree different from the Atlanta Red Lobster Restaurant one where he worked for several years. I am prepared to issue an apology to "Dr" Bah??? only if he makes his academic credentials available and as a Public Servant, he should immediately do that to clear his name and reputation but above all, to establish the requisite confidence of his leadership of the Civil Service.

Mr. Editor, I thank you sincerely for the space and for creating the opportunity for Gambians to channel their legitimate concerns and speak freely about their government and issues so important in their daily lives.