UTG registrar testifies in Dr Gumbo Touray’s case

The case involving Dr Gumbo Ali Touray, the Director of International Affairs at the University of The Gambia, recently proceeded at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court with the testimony of the eighth prosecution witness.

Dr. Gumbo Touray is standing trial for the offence of giving false information to a public servant.

Jenum Manneh testified as the eighth prosecution witness, and told the court that he works at the University of The Gambia as registrar.

He said he knew the accused person as the Director of the International Affairs Programme at the UTG, adding that he as well knew as the Deputy Vice Chancellor at the university, Dr. Jah.

When asked about the role of the registrar at the UTG and procedures for any appointment, Mr Manneh told the court that the application letters normally come to the office of the registrar, who would scrutinized them and then forward them to the Human Resources Directorate, which would call the applicant for an interview, if recommended.

He pointed out that as the registrar his role is to assist in the day to day administration of the UTG and also assist the Vice Chancellor, as well as the Directorate of Human Resources in the selection of UTG staff.

Further asked how many committees the University has, Mr. Manneh told the court that the UTG has many committees, such as the counselling committees, student advisory committees and also appointment and promotion committees.

Mr. Manneh added that regarding staff appointment, positions used to be advertised in local newspapers, and the applicants would apply and the best candidates would be shortlisted for an interview.

He said he knew Mr. Kojo, the Director of Finance at the UTG. Asked how Kojo was appointed, and whether there were structural changes at the UTG, Mr. Manneh told the court that Mr. Kojo used to reside in the United States of America, the position was advertised and Mr. Kojo applied online, and he happened to meet the criteria.

“Mr. Kojo had filed his CV with the registrar of the UTG, and he was interviewed online. He succeeded and picked up the job,” Manneh said.

He revealed that Mr. Kojo is a Ghanaian national, with American citizenship, adding that foreigners are allowed at the UTG because they have 34 Cuban doctors who are working with the School of Medicine at the UTG.

Manneh also told the court that the UTG has travel policies for UTG staff, whereby if invited by an organization or institution, it should take care of the housing and air ticketing, including all the necessary costs, in which case the UTG does not need to pay per diem.

However, in the event the UTG staff was invited by an organization which does not provide the air ticket and housing, the UTG needs to pay that particular staff per diem as stated in the service rules.

The case was then adjourned till 26 April 2012.