Inna Lillahi Wa Inna ilayhi Raji’oon
Truly, from Allah we come, and to Him we shall all return—Qur’an 2:156 (Surah Al-Baqarah - The Cow).
The Gambia, Senegal, and the entire African continent have lost one of its most distinguished, beloved, and pioneering sons — Dr Sidi Cherno Jammeh — affectionately known to millions of Gambian football fans simply as the Voice of Radio Gambia. A veteran journalist, iconic football commentator, mentor to generations, and later a distinguished economist and World Bank Senior Official, Dr Jammeh passed away in Virginia, USA, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through the annals of Gambian media and sports history forever.
EARLY LIFE & OUR FAMILY TIES
Dr Sidi Cherno Jammeh was born and raised right here in Banjul, The Gambia — our capital city — where he grew up surrounded by the rich culture, community, and passionate football life of our people. He was a beloved family man — survived by his devoted wife, my sister, Mrs Amie Koleh Jammeh née Mbenga, and their children.
Amie comes from the highly respected Mbenga family of LatriKunda — daughter of the late Pa Alhaji Mbenga and Ya Sabel Mbenga, and her stepmother, Aunty Barkisu Mbenga, was my own mother’s cousin sister. This meant Sidi was not just a public figure to me — he was family, my neighbour, my brother-in-law. I knew every one of Amie’s siblings, their parents, their home — I used to frequent their house in LatriKunda regularly, which stood barely *100 to 150 metres from my own home*. We grew up close as neighbours, bound by blood ties and shared childhood — I watched his journey unfold from close by.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
From his youth, Sidi displayed exceptional intellect and that magnificent gift for public speaking that would one day captivate our entire nation. He pursued higher education in the United States, earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University (1973–1977) in Washington D.C., and went on to complete his PhD in International Relations / International Economics at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University — a testament to his brilliance, discipline, and dedication to learning.
He later served as a retired Senior Economist at the World Bank, where he led major development projects across Africa — most notably the Nigeria Fadama development initiatives — touching and improving the lives of millions in rural communities across our continent. Yet for all his academic achievements and global professional standing, it is his voice — resonant, melodious, vivid, and unforgettable — that remains forever etched in the hearts of Gambians of my generation.
JOURNALISTIC CAREER & FOOTBALL COMMENTARY — THE GOLDEN YEARS
Long before he became a distinguished economist, Dr Sidi Jammeh was Radio Gambia’s pioneer football commentator throughout the glorious 1960s and 1970s — an era when radio was the heartbeat of our nation, and his voice brought the thrill of every match into every home, compound, village, and town across the length and breadth of The Gambia.
He led the commentary team for the FIRST EVER live broadcast of a football final over Radio Gambia — on 30th September 1969 — from the legendary Box Bar Stadium in Banjul — between Real de Banjul and Phantoms FC. And I say this with absolute pride — I was there! As a die-hard, lifelong Real de Banjul supporter, I stood right there inside Box Bar Stadium that very day — alongside my late father, who himself played football for Gambia United and White Phantoms before I was even born. Father and son together, witnessing history unfold — while Sidi Jammeh’s voice carried the excitement, the drama, and the joy right across the airwaves to every corner of our country. That memory is one I will cherish forever.
HIS COMMENTARY — POETRY IN MOTION
What made Dr Sidi Jammeh truly legendary was his uncanny ability to paint vivid pictures with words. He didn’t just describe the game — he brought it alive. He possessed a rare, wonderful gift for coining memorable nicknames that immortalised our players in the public imagination:
• The late Mr Kassa Gillen of Walidan FC → “THE MAN WITH THE IRON LEGS” — for his thunderous, unstoppable shots and formidable defensive strength
• Kebba Diaz of Real de Banjul → “THE MAN WITH THE THUNDER BALL” — for his powerful strikes that left goalkeepers rooted to the spot
• And countless others whose names, skills, and talents he celebrated with equal passion, wit, and warmth
His commentary was dignified, poetic, colourful, and never dull. He spoke with a measured, authoritative cadence that commanded respect — yet his excitement was absolutely contagious. When the crowd roared at Box Bar Stadium, you could hear it in his voice. When a goal was scored, he made you feel as though you were standing right there in the thick of it — just as I actually was, on that historic September day in 1969.
THE MENTOR — NURTURING A GENERATION
Perhaps his greatest legacy, beyond his own brilliance, is the galaxy of broadcasting talent he nurtured, trained, and mentored. He did not hoard his gift — he generously shared it, laying the foundation for what would become the golden age of Gambian sports journalism:
• Mr Saul Njie — who would go on to become the undisputed doyen of Gambian football commentary himself. Sidi Jammeh sat right beside him in the commentary box, guided him, corrected him, encouraged him, and passed the torch — so that when Sidi moved on, Saul Njie was ready to carry the microphone with distinction.
• Mr Bora Mboge — another stalwart broadcaster and commentator who learned the true art and craft from the master himself
• The late Mr Sam Jones (Alhaji Malick “Sam” Jones) — who became one of Radio Gambia’s most beloved voices, DJs, and sports presenters. Sidi Jammeh recognised his potential early, opened doors for him, and set him on the path that would make him a household name across The Gambia.
Alongside other greats such as Pap Saine and Sandigie Njie, they formed a commentary team that became legendary — and Sidi Jammeh was the architect, the leader, and the inspiration behind it all. He taught them that commentary is not just about describing what happens — it is about respect, knowledge, fairness, storytelling, and truly loving the game. He taught them to prepare, to know the players, to know the history, and to speak with dignity. Every time Saul Njie, Bora Mboge, or Sam Jones spoke into the microphone — they were carrying forward the standards Sidi had set.
A LIFE WELL LIVED — A LEGACY IMMORTAL
Dr Sidi Jammeh walked in two worlds with equal grace and distinction:
• The world of media & sports — where his voice united our nation through the beautiful game
• The world of academia & development — where his intellect and expertise contributed to economic progress across Africa
Whether behind the microphone at Box Bar Stadium or in the boardrooms of the World Bank in Washington D.C., he carried himself with humility, dignity, excellence, and that unmistakable Gambian warmth. He never forgot where he came from — and he never stopped lifting others up.
He was a son of Banjul, a devoted husband to my sister Amie, a loving father, an uncle, a mentor, a neighbour, a brother-in-law, and a true legend. To the young men he mentored, to the millions who listened to his voice, to his beloved family — his passing leaves a void that can never truly be filled. But his legacy lives on — in every broadcast, every commentary, every time a young Gambian picks up a microphone — Sidi Jammeh’s spirit is there.
FINAL PRAYER
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna ilayhi Raji’oon.
Ya Allah, O Most Merciful, Most Compassionate!
We beseech You to shower Your infinite mercy upon the soul of Dr Sidi Cherno Jammeh. Forgive every shortcoming, every error, every sin — and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus, the highest station in Paradise.
Ya Allah, grant him the reward of every match he ever commented on, every player he ever honoured, every listener he ever made smile — and multiply it a thousandfold. Reward him for every young broadcaster he nurtured, every life he touched, every moment of joy he brought to our nation through the magic of his voice.
Grant his beloved wife — my sister Amie Koleh Jammeh née Mbenga — their children, grandchildren, and all his family — abundant Sabr (patience), serenity, fortitude, and solace. Comfort them, hold them close, and be their strength in this time of great loss.
Grant his mentee brother — Mr Saul Njie and Mr Bora Mboge — the strength to continue carrying the torch he lit. And for our beloved late Alhaji Malick “Sam” Jones — who has already gone ahead — may Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and may their souls be reunited in Paradise, side by side, just as they once stood together in the commentary box.
And grant me — who stood at Box Bar Stadium with my late father and watched history unfold — beautiful patience and enduring remembrance.
Make his grave a garden of Paradise, not a pit of fire. Illuminate his resting place with Your light. Be gentle with him on the journey to meet You.
And unite us all with him — and with every departed soul, including my own beloved father and our dear Sam Jones — in the everlasting gardens of Jannatul Firdaus.
Allahumma Ameen Ya Rabbul Alameen.
He passed away on Sunday 9 August 2026 and buried on Thursday 13 August 2026 in the US.
