By Assan Bah
The Councillor for Tallinding North Ward, Baboucarr Mansally, has honoured top-performing students in the ward as part of his annual programme to encourage academic achievement and support education.
Mansally on Thursday, 13 August 2026, hosted the 5th Annual Outstanding Students Recognition Programme, where pupils who placed first to fifth in their classes received school bags, exercise books and other stationery.
The programme also included the donation of medical supplies to four health facilities serving communities in and around the ward.
The donated items, including hand sanitisers and disposable face masks, were presented to Faji Kunda Health Centre, Bundung Maternal and Child Hospital, Ndemban Health Centre and Serekunda Health Centre.
The annual recognition programme is supported by the Spanish non-governmental organisation Ser Humano – Be Human, through the Gran Canaria Council’s Department of International Solidarity.
The ceremony was attended by parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Councillor Mansally said recognising outstanding students had been one of his priorities since the programme began.
“It gives me great pleasure and pride to welcome you to this special occasion. Every year, I make it a priority to recognize and encourage outstanding students within our ward because I strongly believe that education is one of the greatest investments we can make in the future of our community,” he said.
Mansally told the students that the awards should not be seen as the end of their efforts but as encouragement to continue working towards their educational goals.
“Today is not simply about giving presents or awards. It is about recognizing hard work, discipline, commitment, determination, and excellence. Do not allow today’s success to make you relax. Continue working hard, respect your teachers and parents, stay focused on your education, and surround yourselves with positive friends,” he said.
He also urged students to avoid distractions and encouraged parents to support their children without comparing them unnecessarily with others.
“Education should not be left to teachers alone. Parents, teachers, and the community must work together. Every child has different abilities and different potential. Let us identify their strengths, encourage them, and help them become the best version of themselves,” Mansally said.
He said he remained committed to supporting education in Tallinding North and expressed his hope that the ward would produce more professionals in different fields.
“I want to see more doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs emerge from Tallinding North,” he said.
“May God bless our students, bless their parents and teachers, and bless the people of Tallinding North,” Mansally added.
Isatou Ndong, a mother, thanked the councillor for continuing the programme and said the donated materials would help families meet the cost of sending their children to school.
“We want to thank him for this gesture because he has been doing these things throughout these years. The donated school materials will greatly assist parents. We all know how expensive things are nowadays. And these materials have a long way to go,” she said.
Lamin Jarju also praised Mansally, saying the annual awards had encouraged pupils to compete academically.
“We are very proud of you, Councillor Mansally. It is because of these awards that our children now compete with one another, thereby improving students’ performance,” he said.
The Headmistress of Tallinding Lower Basic School, Isatou Mboge, also welcomed the initiative, saying it had contributed to improvements in student performance.
Mboge said the councillor had also provided support to schools within the ward and beyond.
The programme extended beyond education, with four health facilities receiving hand sanitisers and disposable face masks.
Ramatoulie Camara, Officer-in-Charge of Faji Kunda Health Centre, said the donated supplies would benefit both the facility and communities in the surrounding areas.
“The donated hospital items are very important not only for me as the OIC but the neighbouring communities. The government wants to ensure that every Gambian has access to health delivery to their doorsteps,” she said.
Camara also urged students to prioritise their education and remain content with what they have.
She called on other councillors to follow Mansally’s example in supporting their communities.
“With Mansally’s agenda, he wants to see everybody from his community get access to quality health delivery. Government cannot do it alone,” she said.
Francisco Javier Gasqvez, Director General of Ser Humano – Be Human, congratulated the students who received awards and said education remained an important tool for national development.
“Today is a very special day because we are gathered here to recognize and celebrate the effort, dedication, and excellent results of our children throughout this year,” he said.
Gasqvez said the students represented the future of Tallinding North and The Gambia and praised Mansally for his focus on education.
“The children of the school are the future of Tallinding North and the Gambia at large. And Mr Mansally believes in education and I will continue to partner with him on this crusade,” he said.
He said he was pleased with the performance of the students this year, noting that the results appeared to have improved compared with the previous year.
“Today I feel very proud because I see the result of this year better than last year’s. I would like to sincerely congratulate all the children who achieved the highest grades. This recognition is the result of their hard work, as well as the support of their families, teachers, and authorities,” Gasqvez said.
He urged the award recipients to continue pursuing their ambitions.
“Dear children: keep studying, keep dreaming, and keep working hard, because you are the future of Tallinding and the pride of our community,” he said.
The programme ended with further calls for parents, teachers, community leaders and local authorities to continue working together to support children’s education and access to essential services in Tallinding North.
