Henry Anthony Madi: Biography Of A Forgotten Gambian Nationalist was first published and printed in 2021 and by popular demand the second edition is now printed in January 2023.
The book is divided into four chapters with a conclusion, appendix: historical documents, and references as part of the content.
Hassoum Ceesay used the book to trace the life and times of Henry Anthony Madi who was born in 1912 in Kuntaur in The Gambia. His father was Zaky Madi. “He grew up in Kuntaur and Bathurst (Banjul) and later served in the British Army during the war because The Gambia was a British colony. He later become one of the great nationalist leaders who fought for independence,” he explained.
“More so, he was a Gambian-Lebanese businessman, philanthropist, politician and soldier. His political career started in 1947 when he was nominated to sit in the Legislative Council in 1951. He was elected the first MP for Bakau and re-elected in 1954 until he resigned in 1960 – for nine years he was the MP for Bakau.”
The author also explained in his book why Henry Madi despite his dual nationality was able to win the respect and trust of people of Bakau and the surrounding villages. “Henry Anthony Madi attended the 1961 Constitutional talks in London and was also a financier of some of the major political parties in the country,” he added.
He was a financier because he was one of the wealthiest men in The Gambia. He helped his father to run Zaky’s Madi and Sons Limited which was importing almost everything to the country and also exporting groundnut because he had a big presence in all major towns, Ceesay also said.
In 1960, he resigned from politics and concentrated on his father's business. When his father died in 1962, he continued to run the business and his philanthropic work. He used to assist students with scholarships and poor people until he died suddenly in London in September 1965, he also said.
“I wrote the book to tell Gambians that our history is full of stories and political tolerance but alsoto use Henry Anthony Madi as an example that the Gambia should be a place for all Gambians including Gambians with double nationality like Henry Anthony Madi who was half Gambian and half Lebanese. Being a half Gambian did not make him forget his country or not to contribute. During his lifetime, he was a freedom fighter for our independence. He was an economic nationalist and also a philanthropist,” he stated.
Therefore, “I hope the book will encourage Gambians to continue to be tolerant and also continue to encourage Gambians with double nationality to contribute to national development as Henry Anthony Madi did.”
The book is currently on sale at the Timbooktoo Bookshop.
