Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un — إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“To God we belong and to Him we return.”
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of our Boss, Mentor, Big Brother, Icon, Legend, and quintessential public servant — Abdou Sara Janha.
A towering figure in The Gambia’s public service, Abdou Sara Janha stood as a beacon of integrity, wisdom, and commitment. He was not merely a civil servant; he was a servant of the people, driven by purpose, humility, and patriotism. His distinguished career spanned decades, marked by landmark contributions across every institution he served — from his early days as a Diplomat, through his roles as Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive of the National Investment Board (NIB), to the prestigious appointment as Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service. Even in retirement, his service continued on the continental stage as Senior Adviser at the African Union, where he continued to uphold the ideals of African unity, dignity, and progress.
To those of us privileged to work with him, he was more than a public official — he was a mentor who shaped minds, a leader who inspired excellence, and a brother who nurtured a sense of duty and compassion. With a calm demeanor and razor-sharp intellect, he brought people together and guided institutions with grace, discipline, and deep moral conviction. Abdou Sara Janha embodied the very best of public service — selflessness without fanfare, leadership without arrogance, and vision without personal gain.
He lived a life of purpose, anchored in faith, family, and country. His legacy is etched not only in the institutions he helped build, but in the lives he touched, the talents he mentored, and the values he upheld.
As we bid farewell, we pray:
Ya Allah, have mercy on our father, brother, and mentor. Forgive him, expand his grave, fill it with light, and admit him into the highest level of Jannah. Reward him for his service to humanity and grant patience to his family and all of us who grieve this monumental loss.
The Gambia has lost a statesman.
Africa has lost a servant-leader.
We have lost a pillar of wisdom, humility, and grace.
Rest in peace, Abdou Sara Janha.
You served your nation with distinction.
You mentored with compassion.
You lived with dignity.
And now, you return to your Lord — fulfilled and loved.
May Allah the Almighty grant fortitude to your dearest wife and life long partner Mrs Jorjoh Janha and your children, Amadou , Ebou and Rohey as well as your numerous friends and protégés the fortitude to accept the inevitability of life and living.
He died Sunday in Uk, he was 84, funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Ameen.
Your Protege.
Ambassador Abdoulie M Touray
SaHel Knowledge Campus Think Tank ( SKCTT)
