#GambiaAt50 is a
significant milestone for the elongated nation that pierces through the
heartland of Senegal. Based on the recent census data, the majority of its
inhabitants were born post independence (18 February, 1965). A lot of political
maneuvering and jockeying culminated to the events of 18 February, 1965 and the
cast and crew of that historic day are the unsung heroes of modern Gambia. It
is rather unfortunate that the current generations of Gambians are not
conversant with the characters that spearheaded our nationhood and it is
incumbent on us to showcase the role played by these men. Though small, the
Gambia prided itself with a rich diverse heritage made up of multitudes of
tribes from different corners of the country.
The unity of purpose and the
interest of the common good brought men such as #PierreSarrNjie,
#JCFAYE,
#GarbaJahumpa,
#DavidKwesiJawara,
#SirFarimangSinghateh
,#EdwardFrancisSmall,
#SanjaliBojang,
to chart the way forward for the new state. There were teething problems and
snags associated with self rule and independence and men such as #MEJallow
agitated for labor rights and social equality. Fast forward to 1980s, The
Gambia building a professional Police Fore to phase out the colonial relic of
the Field Force experienced a transitional problem and this brought about
distrust and mayhem. The first casualty of this epoch was the gallant #EKUMahoney
at the hands of #MustaphaDanso.
A maverick from Foni who once contested parliamentary elections and lost by the
name of #KukoiSambaSanyang
attempted a takeover of the state and it was foiled by the Senegalese when
Gambia invoked the bilateral common defense pact signed on the eve of independence.
The aftermath of the 1981 rebellion expedited the economic hardships that
followed in the 80s and the subsequent #ERP
of the International Monetary fund was introduced to restructure public
enterprises and also rationalize our national fiscal priorities. Gambia sailed
through this period with her dignity in tact thanks to the able leadership of
the then Minister of Finance #SheriffSesay.
Then come the late 80's when urbanization and Re-exportation was the focus of
our economic growth model. A lot of socioeconomic dividends were accrued in the
late to early 1990s.
There was turbulence brewing despite the semblance of
normalcy within the government and this led to the events of 1994 and a
military take over interrupted the democratic credentials of the Gambia and the
coveted title of being one of the most stable governments in English West
Africa devoid of military intervention was taken away. 1994 was a euphoric
moment because it ushered in new leadership different from mainstream Gambian
political class led by then army officer #YahyaJammeh.
A transitional period was instituted and elections followed thereafter and
Mr.Jammeh was elected president of the republic. Therefore the current generation
of Gambians is more conversant with the politics of #PresidentJammeh
and it is incumbent on all of us to objectively look into the development
process of the country and give credit to the men who ushered in the birth of
our country. It will be folly or fool hardy to compare the two republics
because the development priorities and tools within the development tool kit
were different. I therefore want us to focus on the men highlighted in the
above narrative to educate a generation who were not privy to know these men
and the deficiency in our education system to showcase the role of the founding
fathers of our country. For the Gambia ever true
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weQ9-BlQ6V0
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