China-Africa Relations - A leech Or A Partner?

The slogan “Africa Rising” has become the drum beat of many African optimist and political opportunist. The rapid growth pace of Africa’s GDP has been touted as a success and hope for a new Africa but what pundits fail to observe is where is this growth coming from and at what price to the ordinary African? This brings me to the new found Sino-African relationship. Many analysts are of the view that this new economic nuptial is a good partnership with Africa and I sarcastically opined; at what price? In life, we don’t get what we deserve but we get what we negotiate for. China like the Europeans before them are only interested in African raw materials to fuel the surge of industrialization taking place in mainland China. Therefore it remains to be an extractionary policy whereby raw materials are extracted out of the continent and brought back as transformed goods to be sold to  Africans whose insatiable appetite for Chinese products are inexhaustible. 

Chinese companies under the banner of the People’s Republic have been signing contracts with African governments to extract natural endowment without recourse to the environment, fiduciary diligence or human rights record. Well as purchasers of African resources, they are not obliged legally to be the moral police for the citizens of Africa whose leaders have often railroaded them as it relates to the public interest in selling off our collective endowments. Our leadership have once again failed us in the dispensation of its duties as it relates to being the custodians of our collective wealth. Natural raw materials are depletable assets therefore proceeds derived from the sale of such assets should be spent on long term fixed assets so that future generations of Africans can benefit from the resources extracted on their behalf. The lesson learned from the Chinese invasion of Africa is that the Africans still have weak institutions and strong leadership and the collective interest of society is yet to be protected. Therefore China’s presence in Africa has done little to change the economic fortunes of the ordinary African citizen or better  yet it has transformed the ordinary African citizen into consumption junkies whose appetite for consumer goods such as cell phones, tablets and flat screens are leaving the continent with a current account deficit which encourages capital out flow as import surges over exports.

I am of the view that trade is good but it has to be fair and mutually beneficial. Therefore our new found arrangement with China has to be revisited ex ante with new condition precedent that implore on them to engage in  value transformation for the raw materials purchased by building factories in Africa. This will ensure sustainable livelihoods for Africa’s lot whose hopes are dashed by empty promises and rhetoric being spewed by our political class. China has bribed its way to the top by building the new African Union Complex in Addis Abbaba therefore most if not all of Africa’s constituents are in the pockets of the Chinese interest. Hence my view of China as an extension of  our former colonial masters. The only difference between the Chinese and the European position is political power. They have no vested interest in how the political dispensation is managed. 

Gambia A Case Of Social Disconnect Guised In Political Immaturity

The social fabric of Gambian society though thin is woven with intricate yarn that often gets tangle as the loom patiently weave it together yarn by yarn. This fabric looks appealing in the eye of the beholder but its composition lacks cohesion and fortitude as an entity.

We often blame politics for our societal woes but the ills that plaque us are deeply rooted within our social sphere. Social cohesion fosters unity of purpose and Gambians as an aggregate do not have a common unity of purpose. The absence of a common social denominator bring to light many nuances that we ascribe to politics but they lack any political confluence. Pre Independence Gambia was made up of the colonials at the apex of the social hierachy and the Creoles/Akus as their surrugate and proxies. The Wollofs acted as conduits/interlocutors between the appointed proxies and the general population. Bulk of todays inhabitants of the Gambia were considered protectorate subjects and limited power was vested on them. The coming of age of the sons of the protectorate brought about the formation of the PPP. The mandinkas were the majority but there were fulas, sarahules and Jolas in their midst. The organizational effectiveness of this new entity upsetted the status quo in Banjul and finally led to a government led by the PPP. The social dynamics shifted as the sons of the protectorate spearheaded the affairs of state. They invited influential wollofs and Akus to be part of the government. This arrangrment diluted the objectives of the protectorate agenda and promoted a special interest agenda. This might not have been by design but it became the order of the day. Fast forward to 1985-87 malfeasance and political decadence gave rise to the likes of Assan Thicks Manneh who was disenchanted with the political dispensation of the time. His sentiments were echoed by the general public and this gave rise to a social divide who saw themselves as social under dogs pegged against the priviledge and entitled. This notion not only gave a stamp of approval to the events of 1994 but entrenched its existence. The heart and soul of the support base of J22/94 is the ordinary citizen whilst the upper crust of society wanted a resumption of the status quo pre J22/94. This notion has spilled into the new mellenium and widening the social divide of the country we all claimed to own. Our social realities are varied and depending on the lenses we looking from, the vision can be blurry for some and clear for others.

Going forward, it is incumbent on all and sundry especially political incumbents and aspirants to help promote and foster a cohesive Gambia whose unity of purpose is the promotion of a common ideal in furtherance of the nation we all claim to love. Peace is not just the absence of war and a nation at peace with itself will love, honor, celebrate, promote and champion the cause of its sons and daughters. Hatred for eachother is clearly manifested in the deep rooted perceptions we have towards each other be it the semester syndrome, rural versus urban, educated versus uneducated, opposition versus incumbent etc. The sooner we collectively realize that the interest of our dearly beloved Gambia is greater than that of an individual or the sum total of the 2 million inhabitants, the better. The sooner we work towards closing the socioeconomic divide, the sooner we build a nation whose fabric is woven on an unbreakable yarn that will never disintegrate nor stretch out of its demarcated parameters.

The jealously, hate, disdain are all anchored on on a rocky social contract that lacks merit and equity as its base. An equitable society breeds sustainable development and sustainable development promotes economic prosperity. Lets purge our minds and hearts in a bid for a lasting national unity were the motto is one for all and all for one. For the Gambia ever true and we MUST pledge our firm allegiance to COUNTRY and honor

SEMESTER - A Club whose Membership is Shrouded In A Myriad Of Social Dilemma

Semestermania currently gutting and trending on Gambian Social media.One has to understand the connotation of "Semester" before accepting to be associated or described by this nomenclature. Growing up in Banjul, my understanding of Semester used to describe holiday makers predominantly from Bundas (Germany), Oslo and Stockholm in the mid 80s and early 90s. These holiday makers were known for their extravagant life style, sense of style and excessive display of material wealth mostly cars and money. They distinguished themselves from holiday makers from UK, USA and other western cities. Cafe Texaco, Tropicana, Oasis, Il Mondo, Bellengho, Club 98 were the spots these people frequented and they have left an indelible mark in the story of Gambian expatriates returning home to celebrate their fortunes. Hotels such as Novotel, BB, Sunwing, Kotu Strand were the rendezvous that these self made Gambians lodged for their escapades in the sunny smiling coast. This chapter of our social narrative created mythical legends that will forever be remembered for their lifestyle and exploits on the streets of Banjul as they were blue chip holiday makers. This chapter of our oral history cannot be told without mentioning iconic semesters such as Jurgor (Georgie), Njily Mbye (Lamin Sowe), Schoolen (Kebba Buya), BatchSamba Nyang Small Jarbo, Foo (Alpha Ceesay) Pai Njie, Wahab Faye, Papa soumbundou, Bongay and many others who really illuminated the social scene. These men took holiday making to another level never before seen in the Gambia. Time come and time past and current holiday makers are referred to semesters but the game plan is not the same and can't never be the same.

I am blessed to have witnessed the tail end of the last generation of Gambians and I do live and operate in the epicenter of this generation and nothing compares to what I have seen in the late 80s. Semester bashing and the exhibition of material excesses by so called modern"semesters" highlights an undertone that is deeply rooted in social deficit cum complex. Unfortunately materialism has become a way for many to socially impose their existence in society for recognition and acceptance. Equally, the locals do feel oppressed by the excessive exhibition of wealth being flaunted by the semesters. For any action to take root in society, it has to be endorsed, accepted and promoted by society. Our society rewards, promote and champion the semester lifestyle as success is measured on that yardstick. Education is not champion or promoted any longer. What one drives and the amount of noise made has become the yardstick of success. Instant gratification has become the Gambian way and the so called semesters have mastered the craft and they play along the scripted drama called the new Gambia. Therefore lets not kill the semesters cos they are just characters in the scripted play called the Gambia where materialism and joni joni are the the barometers of success. Jollof is as complex as the color palette that makes up the spectrum and the more we try to understand it, the more it highlights the weaknesses inherent in our psyche and most often, they are socially oriented and anchored on materialism and vanity. Welcome to Jollof a sick nation that needs internal and external healing from wounds of material deprivation and mental imbalance that promotes inferiority syndrome that is exhibited in showering worldly excesses to be seen or heard.

The fuel that is igniting semesterism is POVERTY and a degenerate value system. The elders of our society not only endorse semesterism but promote it by welcoming these holiday makers to their bedrooms as they are sponsors of the very life style they enjoy. Poverty breeds the look of no hope like God over looked us when he dished out his graces. People put their souls as collateral on this roller coaster ride to materialism. Gambia makes you an opportunist as the get rich quick scheme kills the raw talent in us and leave us with our infantile education that corrupt our perception of the truth. The road to salvation for the Gambian is through the eradication of poverty as liberation of the mind starts with economic independence. Mind you there is a difference between poverty eradication and poverty alleviation. Alleviating poverty reduces the suffering but does not breed independence. Economic opportunities are key to social upward mobility and this fosters an independent mind and an independent mind creates a social construct that will usher the  "New Gambian". The new Gambian will usher in prosperity to this land we call the smiling coast. The sooner Gambians think introspectively on the mirror and see themselves (us) as the problem ailing this beautiful country, the sooner we can fix it. Self denial is a cancer that plagues us and a therapeutic session starts with owning up to our fuck ups (sorry for the lingo).

The Emergence Of A Creative Industry & The Begining Of A Viable Business Sector In Africa

Socioeconomic development is generally a deliberate attempt to direct the trajectory that a society progresses for the attainment of economic prosperity. This is generally executed with a development tool kit guided by a viable public policy blueprint. Development especially in third world countries has been seen as the construction of public infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals bridges etc) for the longest. This is a fallacy and we need a shift in paradigm for an accelerated and sustained economic growth. 

Socioeconomic development has shifted significantly from the tangibles to the abstract particularly in the area of intellectual property rights especially in the sphere of the creative industry (Music, illustrative art and the performing arts). Going by our demographic distribution, we boast of a society that constitute a vibrant youth population whose biggest ailment is unemployment. This malaise can be ameliorated if public policy practitioners understand this demographic segment and their needs. I spent my Saturday morning on SoundCloud listening to "Gambian Music" and I realized a disconnect between public policy initiatives and our creative industry. We need to look at the creative industry as a means to prevent poverty and create gainful employment; and if the government subscribe to this notion, then public policy practitioners should should design policy to attain the set objectives. There are developing societies who are raking the economic dividends inherent in having a youth population. Nigeria and Jamaica are shining examples. The creative industry has become a staple export for these countries and consequently an avenue to boost employment and prevent the incidence of poverty. We need to understand the societal needs in order to cater for them. A structured creative industry with fiscal concessions and inducements can add value to the macro economic environment both in terms of revenue receipts for the exchequer and individual development of participants in the sector. Exports are not only in the form of commodities. We can also export intangibles. Public policy has to be dynamic and responsive to shifts and detours in societal needs. Welcome to 2015 Africa where the youths are expressing themselves creatively and this expression has to be monetized.

What Is A Gambian? A Thought Provoking Notion Of Self

My name is Gambia. I am a tiny speck of land nestled in the heartland of Senegal and the mouth of my river emptying its riches on the mighty Atlantic. I am often regarded as the thorn that pricks the ass of my elder brother, Senegal. My journey in life has been eventful and mostly filled with horrors of the slave trade, colonial dominance and self inflicted wounds. I have undergone the transformation and decolonization of my psyche from colonial dominance and the imposition of self pride has been the consequential effect of this process. My offsprings are called Gambians and being a Gambian entails certain prerequisites that affirms ones Gambian-ness. First, one has to believe in me and that constitute an unreserved love, duty and honor to me. Secondly, one has to accept my ethnic diversity which has been my weakness during colonial rule but I have reoriented it to be a strength in post colonial Gambia. Thirdly, I have evolved considerably over the years and it has been a journey filled with tribulation, disappointment and self inflicted wounds of hate and despair. In this journey, I devised a philosophy called GAMBIANIZATION. This philosophy embraces everything that positively projects my image and serves my interest (socially, politically and economically). I need my own role models, my own professional cadre (doctors, judges, engineers etc), my own entertainers and business men. Gone are the days that I allow outsiders to loot, control my economic sphere or impose economic dominance on my kin and kindred. My children (Gambians) are the lot I will choose from for any public or private procurement. My children are each others keeper. Stealing from me tantamount to disinheriting ones self. One CANNOT call his/herself a Gambian if you cannot subscribe to my worldview. The choice is yours, I rather be the only Gambian, than have good for nothing children who bicker, steal from me or make me look bad in the eyes of the world. I am Gambia the land that radiates its smile on the face of Africa as the sun rises over the flat plains of my majestic river and kisses the Golden sunset as it fades away in the distant horizons across the warm calm waters of the mighty Atlantic. I am proud to be GAMBIA. One people under the elongated banks of my majestic river that meanders through Bintang Bolong, Sami Bolong, Sofa Nyama, Alayhinaa Bolong, Bao Bolong, Tendaba, Balengho, Tumani Tenda, Juffureh, Sitaa Joheh, Sita Nunku, Albadarr, Tankularr and all the way to the foothills of the Futa Njallon where I find my source. My children why art thou forsaken me? I have over generations sired many good sons and daughters who in one way or another contributed immensely in the propagation of my ideals and yet they have vanished in oblivion. Gratitude and hospitality has been the hallmark of my existence and of late my children have morphed into ungrateful zombies that are unbecoming of Gambia. I implore on my sons and daughters to have a national holiday called "Heroes Day" to celebrate my proud sons and daughters who relentlessly worked hard in pursuit of a better life and livelihood for mother Gambia. These include, great teachers, politicians, historians, sports men/women and the common man who believed in my ideals. I raised you to be better than what you have become. Take a pause and think hard what it entails to be a GAMBIAN. We are one for all and all for one.

Biri Biri Stadium - The Time is Now

I am an accidental writer whose plume is often driven by emotional outburst and yearning for a better global society. Charity begins at home and I am poised to digitized my thoughts electronically with regards to Alhagie Momodou Njie Biri Biri and the debt owed to him by Gambia and Gambians at large. I have known this man all throughout my life and he has always been the man next door. His grandeur and demigod status never dawn on me because of his humility and the ingratitude of the society he lived in. Growing up in a footballing household, my dad religiously took me to the Box Bar Stadium to watch the likes of Biri Biri, Butut Joof and many other greats ply their trade in the muddy pitch of Box Bar. I have vivid memories of Pa Ngoose Njie of blessed memory watching his son and super star play for Walidan against many league teams as he protectively guarded Biri against the onslaught of frenzy defenders. The magical Biri is no match to Ebrima Ba Eusebio of Senegal, Sega Saho, Cherno Youm, Oumar Gaye Sene, Youssouf Fofana or even Roger Miller in his hay day. It is rather unfortunate that this footballing prodigy and genius hailed from a country called Gambia. Here is a man who single handedly branded The Gambia in Northern and Southern Europe during his stints at B1901 and Sevillla in Denmark and Spain respectively. I was also privileged to have been his student at GHS for 3 years and I saw in him a man who has given a lot and was not rewarded accordingly.


My blog about Biri is a continuation of the Musa NGum Saga. I consider Biri Biri and Abdel Kabir Ngum the "last of the Mahicans" with regards to Gambians who attained legendary status in their chosen fields of work. We have lost many a great men that went to their graves without the proper recognition and gratitude befitting of their exploits and national sacrifice. A Gambian Wall of Shame will have the inscription of names such as Paps Touray, Malando Gassama, Musa Ngum, Labba Sosseh, Lalo Kebba Drammeh, Henry Haffner and many others who have faded into obscurity within the Gambian narrative. This attitude should not be tolerated nor accepted by our generation. We should be the custodian of our collective conscience and as such safe guard the integrity of our narrative for posterity. In so doing, we need to acknowledge the work and contribution of great men and women who hoisted the Gambian flag and made us all proud. If European fans who were not even born when Biri Biri dazzled the Southern Mediterranean city of Sevilla with his magic by worshiping him as a demigod and an idol. Then I see no reason why his native homeland cannot see value in him to not only idolize him, but give him the dignity and respect he deserves from us. just like the Romans said earlier in history "Give Caesar whats due to Caesar" equally Gambia needs to give Biri whats due to Biri. Generally, I would have commissioned a petition to the Minister of Sports to Rename the Independence Stadium to Biri Stadium for his exploits in furtherance Gambian Sports particularly Football and his efforts as a Good Will Ambassador for Brand Gambia but instead, I will for the first time address my blog with humility and respect to the Gambian in Chief, His Excellency the President of the Republic to exercise his discretionary powers bestowed on him by the constitution of the republic to usher in a new dawn by not only according Biri a Celebration befitting of his exploits but to humbly Rename the Independence Stadium to Biri Biri Stadium on behalf of all well meaning Gambians who appreciate his work and contribution in sports development in our dear mother land. This plea is devoid of politics and see nothing but the brotherhood and collective national ideals that binds us to together as people of the soil we call Gambia. I have traveled extensively in all corners of the globe and most if not all national edifices (Stadiums, Airports, National administrative buildings etc) are named after great sons and daughters who in one way or another contributed immensely into nation building. Biri is the first Gambian professional player and he has left a legacy in Europe that is as fresh ah the days he played in the European leagues.

To whom much is given, much is expected and some of the sons and daughters of the Gambia have given tremendously to the state and people of the Gambia and therefore, we the people of the great nation of the Gambia MUST show gratitude for their steadfastness and relentless pursuit in promoting the Gambian Ideals. We need historical references to validate the Gambian narrative. Periodic anecdotal mentions in passing will not fortify our psyche in our quest to build a thoroughbred Gambian identity. As I grab my plume with a firm fist whilst scribbling this blog, I lament the fact that the Gambian has a hybrid identity that permeates into all facets of our lives but in a negative way. The sooner we honestly go through decolonization of our minds, the better for all and our beloveth Gambia. Decolonization starts with self pride and self love and for this to take root, we need to rewrite our narrative and create and sustain heroes along the way. I have Never heard names such as Ekundayoh Emanuel Mahoney, M.E. Jallow and many others who in one way or another added in the story called the Gambian narrative made mention of, or even referenced in our national life. THIS HAS TO STOP AND IT HAS TO STOP NOW. What good is a legend if he/she is six feet deep.? Gambians need to have a rude awakening and purge the remnants of colonialism in our psyche. The colonial effect allowed us to hate each other and this is still evident in our discourse and interactions with each other. Positive mindset is what the doctor prescribed for the sons and daughters of the Gambia. Ollof Njie neh "waah sa mbaah he morom waignyu wout dara si sa buss" besides " kufi def lu baah nyu waah koh" Penchoum Gambia sohlaa na set settal li khol ak halat pur askan be muna dem kanam. The Washington's, Adam's Jefferson's, Lincoln's and Churchill's are no greater men than the PS Njie's, Omar Mbacke's, Wassa Touray's and the Sanjali Bojang's. The only difference is their societies preserved them for posterity by naming national days and edifices in honor of them. It's never too late to  do whats right. The time for Biri Biri Stadium is NOW.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy - A Critical Look Into The Convoluted Gambian Psyche

Legends are mythical characters who awe and shock mere mortals whilst in their midst. Musa Afia Ngum Aka Bala Jiggi Musa was a legend in his own right whose music and philosophy was seemingly misunderstood by mainstream society. He had a unique Gambian sound that propelled him to international notoriety. The death of Musa Ngum once again opens a painful chapter in our lives as Gambians that we need to revisit. When I hear names such as Lalo Kebba Drammeh, Paps Touray and Malando Gassama, I feel very low of my Gambian-ness and wonder what the xxxx is wrong with us as a collective. A posthumous tribute to Musa Ngum by the Gambia will be a great dis-service to his work and person for he needed the public to support his work when he was productively working. The respect, love and support our dearly departed Musa Afia Ngum enjoyed from our bretheren across the border should put us to shame. kufii deff lu baah nyou waah koh and that's why our Senegalese cousins celebrated Musa Ngum. That's Senegal for you a country with substance whose nationalistic tendencies are second to none in Africa. The polity is civil and not destructive unlike their bretheren across the border. My admiration for the Senegalese is their level of political maturity and heightened love for country. There are a lot of things we can learn from them and it starts with squashing the pettiness, character assassination and pulling each other down. 

The contemporary Gambian finds it hard to celebrate or recognize each other rather we spend time being authorities in the lives of people we know nothing about. I often wonder what sets us apart from our relatives on the other side. Musa was at the highest of spirits on the eve of his demise because he was accorded the love and dignity he deserved by his Senegalese fans, fellow artist such as Oumar Penn and also the media fraternity. He had to return to his musical Mecca to put the seal on an illustrious career that his fellow Gambian compatriots could not see in him. Periodically, God gives us an opportunity as a society to reflect and reorient but we still get stuck in our whirlwind of negativity and innuendos. God bless us as our redemption will not be easy as we are one wicked and contrite bunch. We had Paps Touray, Senomi Taylor and now Musa Ngum. When will we see greatness in ourselves? Salvation starts from within. Gambia have sons and daughters worthy of celebrating. Celebrating each other should be an endeavor devoid of partisan politics. Any well meaning son of the soil should see value and credence in its sons and daughters who are promoting Gambian ideals be it cultural, political, economic or educational. I am of the view that the Gambian hasn’t completed the therapy or journey of decolonization. Our past has an impact on who we are and how we react to ourselves today. This sickness is always manifested in our dealings with each other. It's easier for us to see value in others than ourselves. We generally tend to hire the services of international consultants to tell us what we already know about us even the mundane of things. Mental emancipation is the deficiency that is lacking in the humanity of the Gambians and it's called "Gom Sa Bo paa". All is not lost but we need to purge our minds and hearts of this ailment I called a chip on our shoulder. Generally, this is a complex that most Gambians suffer from and it is often exhibited with words such as "Hiy kii kiagne laffi" "Haa mut bo paam" "Dafa dang Ngam" etc. These negative nuances and connotations breeds discontent and therefore bring about perceived demerits of what an individual is entitled to. It's sad to know that Senegal didn't only adopt Lalo Kebba as a Senegalese but they claim proprietary right on him to the point that they called him their worthy son. Who is worthy enough to be celebrated as a son of this soil other than the likes of Musa Ngum, Biri Biri, Mustapha Njie (TAF), Ousainou Dambel and many unsung heroes who are quietly pushing more than their weight by adding value to Brand Gambia. Let’s celebrate the greats in our midst whilst they are still alive.  Familiarity breeds contempt and being around and available makes the Gambian to look at our stars and great men as the next person. These people are our heroes and progressive societies MUST have heroes and role models for continuity and reference. Adieu king of Akaasaa and hope we take time and reflect how we collectively reduce ourselves to nothing.

In conclusion I will once again bring to the fore front the issue of Alhagie Momodou Njie Biri Biri. This gentleman has done over and beyond his call of duty for the Gambia and deserves an indelible mark in our lives. The Independence Stadium should be renamed in honor of this living legend. My comparison is always our immediate neighbors Senegal. Most if not all their national edifices bore the names of their heroes Demba Diop, Iba Mar Diop, Stade Leopald Sedat Senghor, Stade Amadou Barry etc. For a nation to have continuity it needs reference and these are the iconic sons and daughters of the land. Lets purge ourselves of self inflicted pity and hate.

Reparations For Slavery - The Moral Move For The Closure Of The Wounds of Slavery

The African has been mentally and emotionally conditioned to down play the effects and significance of slavery in our lives. The idea of Trans Atlantic reparations has been floated around for over a century and 40 acres and a mule was promised to freed slaves in the USA and repatriation was also offered to our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean. Africans for the longest have sidelined the idea of reparations as it has never been palatable for our former colonials. Proceeds of slavery and slave labor built the west as we know it today. The intricate rail networks and the cities are the result of free labor. The word "free" is loosely used in this essay because the African slaves never received a dime for their sweat and tears in the new world. Slavery robbed the African of his dignity, displaced him and hitherto lead to the under development of the African continent. The cost of Slavery to Africa has both real cost and opportunity the cost. Therefore the formula for financial reparations have to be in-depth and inclusive of what the African could have engaged in hadn't  it been that his development trajectory has been interrupted by the Europeans.

Slavery as we knew it then was sanctioned by the European states with a blessing from the church (Pope). The endorsement of this horrendous act by both church and state empowers the African to demand from the European governments what is rightfully owed to them. The issue of slavery has somehow been at a mute point since the emancipation proclamation was announced. Life went on for the African and her descendants in the new world without a clear cut closure regarding the horrendous atrocities of the Europeans. Personally, I am of the view that reparations for slavery is a moral and legitimate request by African nations and the descendants of Africans living in the diaspora. The Jews have been duly compensated by the Germans for wrongful imprisonment and forced labor. Reparations starts with a solemn declaration of atonement by the European Union and the Government of the United States of America.  Sovereign Debt cancellation by Paris Club lenders is a way forward for starters and we have historic precedence regarding debt cancellation in the form of HIPC I  (Highly Indebted Poor Countries) and HIPC II initiatives. This will help free up fiscal resources that would have otherwise been used to pay of debt to be mobilized in priority areas such as health, agriculture and education. The reparation initiative has to be brought forward as a collective class action by the African Union on behalf of member states who were gravely affected by slavery. Furthermore, there exist historical facts detailing the complicity of corporate titans in facilitation of the slave trade. These corporations should and must be brought to book to pay for their willful participation on the horrendous enterprise of human abduction and trading. The Jews have been going after companies including banks that were complicit in the holocaust so why can't we do the same? 

Human Capital Flight. The New Export Out Of Africa

C+G+I+(X-M) is a very critical tool in administering the affairs of a state. My focus today will be on X-M (net exports). Theoretically, exports are key drivers of growth and economic prosperity for a country but this theorem has become a fallacy for African nations. Africa has been exporting it's natural endowments in its crudest form and therefore received insignificant returns for the valuable products it sells to the world. The latest export out of Africa SHOULD be a major cause for concern for African governments. Authors such as Walter Rodney have delve on the issue of Under Development in Africa and the mass exodus of Africa's prized asset (Human resource). The recent out flow of human capital (back wayers) out of the continent represents an export of a talent pool that Africa cannot afford to part ways with. Our major towns and cities are are being deserted by the emerging young generation of Africans who represent our future leaders, entrepreneurial magnates, teachers, law enforcers etc and this void will further relegate Africa to the periphery of the global development agenda.

Our public policy practitioners are touting the attainment of some of our MDG goals as barometers of a positive development. My argument is what if we attain most if not all the MDG goals and there is no able body left on the continent what good is this achievement for Africa? It is therefore incumbent on African policy experts to go back to the drawing board and critically diagnose the menace that is boosting the export of our young and productive bodies to Europe. This should be an immediate exercise for our governments and owning up to our systemic failure will be the first step in addressing the menace that befell the continent. Globalization and the easy access of information has made the African youth to benchmark his/her existence to their counterparts in the west and being rational human beings, they are yearning for better opportunities for social upward mobility and this is the challenge faced by our leadership class (how to stem the tide of migration). I am yet to see the continental and regional bodies making migration an emergency issue that needs resolution to curb the tide of outflow of much needed African brain power and brute force. Our governments MUST work on opening up the democratic space by enlarging political inclusion, and more leadership roles for the youth folk so as to carve a future for them in the pie called Africa. Finally, I am of the view that leadership is not a reactionary machinery but a futuristic approach to problem solving by mitigating eventualities that adversely affect the well being of the populace. Africa need next generation leaders who can look at Africa's problem holistically and out of the myopic box that most of our leaders look at our ailments from. 2015 public leadership expectation is not only real time but cutting edge with a requisite tool kit to smoothen the development hiccups along our desired trajectory. Africa's youths are crying for help and assistance from the very people they voted in office and to whom much is given much is expected of.

De-Militarization of Africa. A Way Towards Peace Building

The drama continues and the sooner Africans learn that militarization is not for the poor, the better we are as a continent. The current problem in Burkina was precipitated by the pronouncement of the interim Prime Minister to reduce the size of the Presidential guards and eventually the army as a whole. The people with the guns felt threatened and unilaterally acted on their caprices to instill their will on the population. The same happened when the military complex in Egypt felt threatened during the popular uprising. The ouster of Morsi and his subsequent prosecution was orchestrated by a selfish minority who imposed their will on a defenseless population. This question was somehow a topic on a previous blog post as per the notion of African Liberation Day. My question is who is the African attempting to liberate themselves from? Surely not the Europeans but the entrenched elites who have a vested interest in perpetuating the status quo. Africa's problems and ailments are home grown and the sooner our leaders look at the bigger picture, the better for all. Campaore may be out of sight but his ghost is haunting Burkina today because the size of the army he created and these men will not relent because they don't want to loose the privileges they once enjoyed. 

Partial demilitarization of the continent should be a priority agenda for the regional groupings and the African Union. We should legislate and institute fiscal mandates that curb the growth and expenditure of the military in Africa. Our primary preoccupation should not be military expenditure but poverty reduction and employment creation. Am glad that sanity has been restored in Burkina albeit a temporal respite. A lasting solution can only be brokered forcefully by disarming 60% of the army. The poor tax payers in Burkina want value for their money and they surely not getting value in an entrenched army. Peace is not the absence of war and fostering peace is not achieved through intimidation or strong military presence. Societies achieve peace through an equitable wealth distribution schemes and social empowerment. The new African reality should not only be progressive but futuristic in the sense that we have been in the doldrums of the prosperity boom and the citizenry deserve more than what have been dished out to them by their leaders.It is quite agonizing for me as I ponder on the complexities and self inflicted predicament the Africans find themselves in. Traditionally, the Africans via proxy have entrusted their leaders to set out the agenda for them but the time has come for the African populace to not only set the agenda for their leaders but curb the excesses of their leaders by becoming the masters of their destinies. Simply taking the bull by the horn. The population who elect leaders are the "Principals" and the leaders are the "agents" therefore power lies in the principal (the people). I always constrain my emotional state with with logical proposition but it is hard for me not to feel angry and frustrated as per how the 95% of Africans have been short changed by their political and intellectual elites. This is not the Africa, Kwame Nkrumah, Samora Michel, Gamel Nassar and others envisage when they agitated for self determination and eventual independence. Yes we have shattered the yolk and bonds of colonialism but the African have found themselves in a new frontier squabbling with their leadership/elite for the wanton disregard of the interest of the majority. The likes of me have vowed to live this continent forever despite the short comings inherent in our lives as per the predicament and frustrations we find our continent in. 

Conversation With My Dad

Writing has always been therapeutic and uplifting for me. Having people read my post and conceptualize my views inspires me to keep on writing. I've noticed with pride that my father Omar Njie​ not only endorsed my recent post but gave me insights that craves my indulgence to further probe into the issues raised on that particular post. I attempted to address the issue of domestic production and consumption as an "Import Substitution Strategy" in a bid to equiliberate our balance of payment statistics and boost employment figures for our national economy. My position of an import substitution strategy was conceived after a heated deliberation with my buddy and brother Salieu Taal who passionately advocates for the promotion of home grown business talents and this is a credo he lives by judging the business and economic decisions he partakes in his daily commercial interactions. Having said this, I crafted a paragraph identifying the issues relating to national production and the inherent lost opportunities therein in not partaking in import substitution ventures. The paragraph in parenthesis was my status update on FaceBook and it it reflected my concerns for the economy that I so love dearly [We either produce as a nation, or we get consumed in the business of global consumption. In this business, the seller dictates terms, pricing and subsequently the quality of goods delivered. The choice is ours and if we want to be masters of our destiny, then we embark on the path of import substitution for our daily national food intake. Much rhetoric has been advanced regarding food self sustenance and growth of our domestic agribusiness but it starts with a commitment to entice and reward market participants who partake in developing and deepening our local agri markets. Fiscal incentives such as subsidies, tax reduction and import duty exemptions on farming implements should be the inducement for a game changer. Public policy is not dogma and reorienting national planning objectives to meet desirable socioeconomic realities should be the worry of public policy makers. Good morning Gambia lets constructively engage public policy practitioners for the emergence of commercial farming ventures]. 

My dad after perusing through my post decided to give me a short lecture on the issue at hand but with a broader perspective that was beyond my scope and comprehension. The following was his response to my status update and it surely reoriented my world view as my good friend Salieu Taal will always harp on me that Gambians need to augment their knowledge base in order to accelerate our development agenda and trajectory.  He stated the following "Thank you very much Nyang Njie AKA Daddy. l really do appreciate your continuous efforts to raise the social and economic awareness of Gambians by using the Normative Re-dactive Strategy of change. It is a very valuable effective way to make people understand and face up with some of the significant factors and realities that impinges daily on our lives. Education is not all about book learning, it also warrants for us to understand the nature of things within and beyond our environment; and to ask the how and why of things. Furthermore, an education that doesn't equipped the individual to be able to discern, and distinguish right from wrong render that education to be meaningless. In a way, as human beings we are supposed to be problem solvers and should have inquisitive minds and attitudes to make us effective change agents in society. Let us take Kura Njie's notion of growing, harvesting and utilizing calabash for the use of the people in the community. It was part of The Gambian culture and tradition which has significantly eroded to a point whereby calabash is imported from neighboring Guinea Bissau. Doesn't this kind of social and economic situation ring a bell that as a society, we are busy doing the wrong sums and the irony is that even if we have the answers right it will not benefit us as a community /and or society.
Like Nyang said, we either produce or be consumed in the global market economy. Secondly, he stated that the seller dictates the price of his products. I agree with this line of argument up to a point. The reason being that the price of products in the Labor Market is relative to Supply and Demand. The nature of this relativity viz-a viz are further dictated by the scarcity and availability of goods and services . The crux of the matter is that if the materials used for the manufacture of products are harness locally, it will help in the cost reduction of products in the local market. If on the other hand, such materials are imported either for local manufacturing and /or consumption it will drastically inflate consumer products and prizes. 

Another aspect of this argument lies in the policies of our education and training systems to nurture an effective human resource development. First and foremost, as much as I appreciate the introduction of western education in The Gambia and elsewhere in other countries that were colonized, it left us with a dual socio-economic legacy. The former is that it has equipped us with a universal tool of communication i.e. English and to use it effectively through comparative studies and analysis to enhance our development process. Secondly, as much as we harness the benefits of such education on a day to day basis, we have failed to look deeper to understand and acknowledge the severe socio-cultural damaged it has done to our communities /and or societies especially in The Gambia and elsewhere in Africa. We have also failed to understand that education from a moral perspective as stated by a British Philosopher (John Dewey ) that " the use of education to brainwashed and change people is not an educational crime, but sometimes it must be viewed as a necessity in life ". The acquisition of western education has changed both old and young in our societies through Western assimilation which we cherished so much more than some of the traditional and cultural ways /and or norms that we failed to nurture and transfer to our younger generations. Rather, than the Gambia communal way of life that bonded us together irrespective of tribe or religion, we let this noble way of life erode gradually and hasten embrace the concept of the nuclear family which has significantly divided us at the family, community and national levels. The irony of this divide is getting worse and it's trends will haunt us and generations yet unborn. It is this brainwashing in education that made us to look at our cultural and social ways of life as being inferior to Western ways of life. The nature of this inferiority complex is one of the reason for the mass exodus of rural urban drift, youth's not wanting to farm,or engage in vocational and skills training because it will dirty their hands. Another factor is the transfer and retention factor of vital traditional skills in the Gambian Labor Market such as the calabash trade cited by Kura Njie, the local boat builders industry which has dwindled to a very low ebb just to name a few.           

Thanks very much Nyang Njie for your sincere comments regarding my input on this valuable topic on national development. I know that age is often a complimentary factor to wisdom; Nonetheless, age is not sage, neither age is a criteria, for it is the capabilities of men that counts. Furthermore, I acknowledge the idea that you share with brother Sal Taal to nurture a knowledge base society that will propagate "the willful exchange of ideas in furtherance of our national development". One of the reason why I endorsed your views is based on the fact as highlighted by Amadou Matharr Mbow both former Minister of Education in Senegal and Secretary General UNESCO when he stated that " development must come from within and has to be attuned towards the aspirations of the people. In this regard, we as Gambians must aim to contribute towards the machinery of national development for the interest of our people and country and must not allow to be divided by any of the neo - colonial social tools that are used as wedges to divide us such as materialism, tribalism, politics, religious sectarianism which are all part of the brainwashing strategy that encourages the branding of individuals /and or groups in society based on the old colonial adage of divide and rule. Our development efforts must strive to promote a nation of national unity with a common understanding of working and sharing positive ideas that will benefit all Gambians. We have to be sincere and committed to the development of our people and our country and encourage every Gambian to be a productive member of society. The notion of this new social paradigm as a shift must gradually reject those artificial barriers we inherited as a bondage that tends to tint and hinder our visions and efforts for national unity"   

Dad's mini lecture was more than I bargained for and it went further than I envisage in accentuating clarity on my status update. His logically consistent thought inspired this blog post and as our dearly departed muse of yester years Kochi Barma Fall once stated "Mag jar na bayii chi reew". Thanks for giving me a lecture that refocuses and reoriented my view on a pertinent issue that begs for immediate national attention by both policy makers and entrepreneurs. This local consumption initiative should be part of a broader National Initiative dubbed "Proudly Gambian" Consume local and help strengthen the dalasis.