Gambian President Decrees Four-Day Working Week

Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia
Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has decreed a four-day working week for public officials, making Friday a day of rest to allow residents in the small West African state more time for prayer and agriculture.

In a statement released recently, Jammeh said the decision was made in light of demand from the general public. The shorter working week will take effect from February 1, and the new public sector working times in Gambia, will be Mondays to Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“This new arrangement will allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture – going back to the land to grow what we eat and eat what we grow for a healthy and wealthy nation,” the presidential statement said.

Though it has a secular state, Gambia’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim. Jammeh seized power in the popular European tourist destination in a bloodless military coup in 1994.

He has since been accused by activists of human rights abuses during his rule. In August, his government drew international condemnation for executing nine death-row inmates by firing squad, prompting it to suspend 38 other planned executions.

The government warned, however, that the executions would go ahead if the crime rate increases.

One of Africa’s more controversial rulers, Jammeh said in 2007 he had found a remedy of boiled herbs to cure AIDS, stirring anger among Western medical experts who claimed he was giving false hope to the sick. He recently disclosed his government’s plan to build hospitals where HIV/AIDS patients will be treated.

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