Gambian leader claims yet another 'prestigious' awardBy BABOUCARR CEESAY in Banjul | Thursday, May 24  2012 at  18:28

A US-based academy, the Norman Academy, in collaboration with the Université de Boaké in Cote d’Ivoire, has reportedly awarded an honorary doctorate (honoris causa) in social sciences to Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh.

The honour is meant to be in recognition of Jammeh’s “tireless efforts in the promotion of culture and social development,” according to a media release from State House in Banjul.

The award, which was received this month in Rome by Prof Mustapha Diabaté of the University of Boaké on behalf of President Jammeh, went on to cite “the great strides” the Gambian leader had taken in the “promotion and protection of the interests of all sectors of Gambian society”.

Other awards Jammeh proudly claims include the ‘First Class Gold Medal or Datu Mulia of the Royal House of Aranan’, in the so-called Sultanate of Sula Dar al-Islam in southern Philippines.

There is also the ‘Best African President 2010-2011’ awarded by the Pastors Intercessory Fellowship of The Gambia in February 2012.
In July 2010, President Jammeh also holds the ‘Grand Doctorate of Philosophy in International Relations and Diplomacy from the International University of Fundamental Studies in St. Petersburg, Russia.’

This one was said to be in recognition of his “outstanding services to humanity”.

Last year, President Jammeh claimed to have been granted a special and prestigious recognition by US President Barack Obama. But the White House came out and publicly deny this.