Founder
of Big Dreams Inc, Mamina Ibrahim Sonko said he will continue to help people no
matter what, saying no intimidation, defamation of his character or false
claims will stop him from helping Gambian people.
Mr
Sonko made these remarks in response to a signed press release issued by the
Ministry of Health that was aired over a local radio station countering his
earlier interview with the said radio station.
In
2018, Gambia’s ministry of health signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with International Medical Relief (IMR) and Big Dreams Inc (BDI) for medical
and dental mission.
The
agreement was signed by then health minister, Saffie Lowe-Ceesay and since
then, IMR and BDI have offered free medical and dental services to thousands of
Gambians in almost all regions of the country.
“The
best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Mr
Sonko quoted Mahatma Gandhi as saying, and added, “Do something…not because you
are paid, but because you have the privilege of doing it” he also quoted Henry
David Thoreau.
Mr
Sonko said it was disappointing and rather unfortunate to learn that a senior
official of the Ministry of health, a partner organization fabricated a
disgraceful statement and an unfound allegation and called it a “Press Release”
from the Ministry of Health, while hiding behind the clouds of ignorance.
He
reminded the author of the “press release” that tarnishing the image of hard
working Gambians and their international partners is unacceptable and will not
go unchallenged.
According
to him, as honorable citizens, they will defend the interest of The Gambia no
matter the cost.
The
BDI founder condemned in the strongest term, what he called the unprofessional
behavior and cyber bulling of their local partners who serve them during the
mission with integrity, diligence and sincerity.
“As
a civil servant, the author must bear in mind that his salary is paid by the
tax payers and they have a right to expect that their affairs are dealt with
promptly with respect, sincerity, and efficiency,” he said.
He
highlighted that it is because of people like the official that the vision of
the health ministry to provide quality and affordable health services for all
by 2020 and their mission to promote and protect the health of the population
through the equitable provision of quality health care are proven to be a
complete failure.
He
noted that good leaders pride themselves of honesty and integrity as well as
committing themselves to do the right thing even when no one is watching.
“These characteristics are lacking at the Ministry of health and that is why
this important health care institution has become the most corrupt and
unproductive Ministry in the Gambia”, according to him.