By Aminata Ceesay
The Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces has said that Gambian soldiers need to be motivated by engaging them in good trainings, sound administration and confidence in equipment.
Lt General Masanneh Kinteh was speaking recently at the closing ceremony of Gambia Armed Forces officials’ two weeks training on contemporary security, social, political and economic issues of the society at the joint officer’s mess in Kotu.
“But ultimately it is bred on conviction in what is being done, and confidence in those with whom and for whom it is being done. Such confidence is itself primarily a product of leadership and comradeship. High morale cannot be created overnight, but requires the forging in peace times close bonds of professional and personal trust which will withstand the stress imposed by operational conditions,” CDS Kinteh said.
He noted that to create high morale, officers are required to show commitment and self-sacrifice by putting the interest of the team, the task, the unit and the nation above personal interest.
“Operations which are the mandate of the Gambia Armed Forces are by their nature dangerous and physically demanding. They are characterized by uncertainty, fear, fatigue and discomfort, all of which have to be faced and overcome.
“Success in such conditions depends above all on good morale, which is the spirit that enables soldiers to triumph over adversity. Therefore, as officers you should be elements of morale boosters. You have been equipped with the necessary tool from this course to lead your subordinates exemplarily.
“The successful conduct of this training period largely depends on the team work exhibited. Team work is an integral part of military ethics. Even when deployed on your own in dispersed positions, you are part of a team, and the effectiveness of the team will depend on each individual, seen or unseen, playing his or her part to the full, and upon the degree to which you contribute to the cohesion of the team as a whole.”
