
Audio By Carbonatix
Yahya Jammeh has been sworn in for a fourth term as Gambia's president and promised to "wipe out 82%" of workers, accusing them of being lazy.The former army officer promised to be "even more dangerous than when I was in uniform".He also vowed to turn his tiny West African nation into an "economic superpower" over the next five years.President Jammeh first seized power in 1994 but was re-elected in December in a widely criticised poll."You cannot be in your offices every day doing nothing... and at the end of the day you expect to be paid," he said on a televised address on Wednesday."This has to stop. You either do your work or leave or go to jail," the president said."I will wipe out almost 82% of those in the workforce in the next five years starting this Friday unless they change their attitudes," he said - without elaborating.Mr Jammeh also promised "zero tolerance" on corruption and drugs.The Gambia - a popular destination for foreign tourists - has recently become a key transit point for cocaine trafficked from Latin America.The president also promised to focus more on the empowerment of women and create more jobs for the youth.Mr Jammeh - who first came to power in a bloodless coup in 1994 - has been criticised by international rights groups for suppressing any dissent.On Tuesday, former Information Minister Amadou Scatred Janneh, a US citizen, was sentenced to life in jail for plotting a coup and distributing T-shirts with the slogan "End to Dictatorship Now".
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Searching for a Ghost in Toronto: When political outrage runs out of idea
19 minutes -
Africans must go… But to where?
32 minutes -
SIMS executive urges community banks, fintechs to partner for deeper financial inclusion
48 minutes -
NPP beats NDC with 49% support in new APL national vote tracker
52 minutes -
Business incubators as a de-Risking tool for SME financing in Ghana
53 minutes -
Why Ghana can’t ignore plastic pollution and marine litter: A World Ocean Day reflection
1 hour -
Ghana’s economy set for 5.9-6.1% growth in 2026 despite Middle East tensions – Standard Bank Research
1 hour -
Kennedy Agyapong’s statements undermine NPP’s good name – Ahiagbah
1 hour -
I will not rest until Bawumia becomes Ghana’s President in 2028 – Wontumi
1 hour -
Ignore the distractions – Sammi Awuku urges Bawumia
1 hour -
NCPTA backs GES ban on extravagant graduation ceremonies in basic schools
1 hour -
Bibiani NPP coordinators demand resignation of Western North Regional Chairman over mass disqualification
2 hours -
UTAG gives government June 30 deadline to resolve welfare issues or face strike
2 hours -
Ghana’s non-traditional exports exceed $5bn mark
2 hours -
Stanbic Bank rewards FIFA World Cup winners and launches new Visa local card usage initiative
2 hours