The late Malian thinker and author Amadou Hampâté Bâ once said “in Africa when an elderly person dies, a library is set ablaze.”
As a teacher and mentor to countless people in and out of The Gambia, late Vice President (VP) Badara Alieu Joof was a living library and doyen of knowledge whose mastery of syntax and semantics was legendary.
Evidently, it was not surprising that after decades of passionate and self-less service to the nation as a teacher, VP Joof was appointed Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST) by His Excellency President Adama Barrow in 2017. His legacy at the Higher Education Ministry include the stabilization of the University of The Gambia (UTG) and its Faraba Bantang Campus and the transformation of both The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) and Management Development Institute (MDI) into specialized universities to make technical and vocational education more attractive to the youths.
Significantly, his elevation to the position of Vice President of The Republic of The Gambia on 4th May 2022 was a testament to his competence, patriotism and sense of policy directions towards the common good.
Justifiably, VP Joof was a national asset whose expertise was widely sought on the international development spheres. With his Master’s Degree in Developmental Economics from the University of Bath and experience in successfully implementing donor-funded projects, the World Bank (WB) head-hunted VP Joof to serve as its Director for West and Central Africa prior to his Cabinet appointment in the new political dispensation.
Therefore, the decision of His Excellency President Adama Barrow to declare a 7-day national mourning with a State Funeral for VP Badara Alieu Joof on Monday, 23rd January, 2023 is befitting a national asset.
As we say in traditional Africa, VP Joof is now an ancestor, guiding us from his celestial abode as we strive towards the consolidation of his legacy and useful lessons he taught us.
Adieu, His Excellency, Badara Alieu Joof (1957-2023).
