The Cup Is Half Empty For Many Gambians

The euphoria and enthusiasm is high amongst the people of #GM220. Well I will not fault them for such a state of mind as their personal and collective development have been arrested for 20 odd years. We all have a mental blueprint of a #NewGAMBIA but this Gambia has to be nurtured. It will be conceived with our will and resolve for a new national identity and it will have phases and passage to maturity.

The new Gambia has to learn from past events to build a model Gambia that we all will be proud of. Reading passages on social media has highlighted a troubling phenomenon amongst the people of this beautiful nation and it is my humble view that the social inequalities that existed post Independent Gambia have not been adequately addressed and most of our social/political issues are anchored on this divide that breeds anger, contempt and and disdain. Growing up opportunities were far and few for many out of privileged social circles and this perpetuated the upward mobiility of a particular segment of society relative to others. This was not a deliberate ploy by the first republic but an inadvertent design. The botched revolution of J22 1994 used this anomaly as a pretext to upset the status quo. Most of what we heard from the mouth piece of the J22 enterprise was rampant corruption that needed to be checked and corrected with accountability and probity. We now have ample evidence that that was a pretext and not a genuine justification for the usurpation of power by a rag tag group whose nationalistic credentials are now confirmed to be non-existent. Nonetheless the entrenched social inequalities of the day gave them broad appeal amongst a group of Gambians who wanted a slice of the Gambian pie. Other than the opportunistic lot amongst our lot, the J22 enterprise derived it support from the the down trodden who believed the nation short changed them as it relates to opportunities.

Going forward, adressing our social inequalities will be the cornerstone that must underwrite the #NewGAMBIA. The J22 made an attempt to adress the anomaly but their approach was underpinned by emotional decisions that negated merit and consequently they have destroyed our public institutions and professional merit. I wholeheartedly implore on the incoming administration to narrow the genie coefficient that created a divide between a group of people who should have all seen themselves as one. Once this anomally is addressed effectively, the road to the new Gambia will be paved with energised citizens who believe in the going Concern called Gambia incorporated. I am hopeful that the new Gambia will be anchored on a sound social canvas that will highlight our tribal and cultural  diversities on a tapestry that even Picasso would have been pleased to to view. Keep hope alive whilst we build the new Gambia one brick at a time.

Professional Misconduct Perpetrated By Charlatan Lawyers Masquerading As Emissaries Of Peace

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. For now, I have retired my suit and tie until I see light at the end of the tunnel. If Gambian journalists are outsourcing their societal duties to inform, investigate and enlighten the masses then we the average citizens will duly engage in citizen journalism to enlighten our esteemed populace. On that note, I want to delve into the story of the day regarding the so called African Bar Association. This body and its purpurted membership is highly questionable because for a continental body to be deemed effective and legitimate it needs local chapters and regional groupings. I am yet to see a practicing Gambian lawyer who claimed to be a paid member if this rag tag merchant of fortune organisation.

Secondly,  I want to know who that idiot of a solicitor Ozuma represents. Surely he is not representing the Gambian Bar nor the interest of the Gambian people. For anyone to speak on behalf of a constituent (Gambian Bar) you need a mandate and legitimacy. Mr. Ozuma lackls both as he is a person of questionable character by virtue of his legal tussles and conduct. I am currently compiling infomation about this shady organisation and its membership but I can safely say that they neither have locus nor nexus in the outcome of our political quagmire. Their SOLE interest is that of their narrowly defined personal economic interest which we the people of our noble country will neither condone nor watch helplessly. Shame on them and anybody who one way or another facilitated their welcome in our beautiful nation.

#GambiaHasDecided
#AfBA
#NigerianMerchantsOfFortune

My Vision For The New Gambia

My conspicuous absence on social media especially Facebook in recent days have been a deliberate effort to reassure well meaning family members and friends about my safety. Nonetheless, our country is at a crossroads albeit that we have dismantled the clutches of tyranny and we now manifest our national destiny in a manner consistent with our collective national aspirations. It is therefore in this regard that I want to contribute in the ongoing discourse by counseling the transition team as per the way forward.

The outcome of the recently concluded elections can be interpreted differently and I am of the view that President Elect Barrow is the winner but his mandate is not cross cutting and would therefore  have to not only extend an olive branch but work with well meaning people from the loosing end to build a broad consensus governance apparatus that will usher in a new Gambia that is socially and economically inclusive.

The first order of business for the president elect is to appoint a chief of staff who wiĺl be the designate interlocutor between him, the transition team and the out going administration. This chief of staff will handle the transition process as a project with set goals, objectives and milestones that are time bound with quantifiable monitoring and evaluation capabilities. Once this is in place, a seamless transfer of power can be assured. The first order of business is the maintenance of peace and security which is the bedrock upon which the new Gambia will be built on. Next order of business is the taming and rationalisation of the beast I refer to as our "FISCAL DISPENSATION" essentially our budget. For the longest time, the Gambia has been operating a fiscally dominant system that over shadowed monetary policy hence the structural anomalies inherent in our macroeconomic environment (inflation, forex prices, Balance of Payment and Domestic debt sustainability etc). The taming of this beast can ONLY happen if the exchequer  (Ministry of Finance) apply severe austerity policies to bailout the economy. The tools available at the disposal of the finance minister ranges from debt restructuring, cash budget management system, freeze on domestic debt, streamline payroll, retrenchment etc. Gambians have to be realistic and the realignment of our economy will undoubtedly not be an easy task and therefore would require us all to swallow the bitter pill of structural adjustment IMMEDIATELY. Finally, the transition team MUST meet immediately with the Minister of Finance to ascertain all major payables to suppliers and contractors now against 31st December 2016 to ascertain if these payments were within the budget and provisioned for. Furthermore they must NOT be paid through deficit financing.

Once the afore mentioned prescriptions are hitherto looked into, then the incoming government can shift into a medium term mode to prepare the nation for the slow reversal of our fortunes by working on sectoral reforms especially the productive sectors (fisheries, tourism, agriculture, financial services etc). In addition to this, we can organise a serious DONOR ROUND TABLE INITIATIVE to mobilise the much needed resources to build the a new Gambia and also have a programme with the IMF. Streamlining the existing government payroll especially the bloated security sector is of paramount interest. Generally our security manpower requirements are a function of the ratio between the general population and human resource needed to execute a function. For example for every 1000 inhabitants of the Gambia, we require 50 police officers, 10 paramilitary and 5 army officers. This rationale should be the basis of numbers of our  security personel. I will in subsequent posts delve further in the issue. We all love our country and for once we have a unique opportunity to redeem our nation and help build a better nation considering the arrested development we suffered. Any Gambian who was above the age of 18 in 1994 have been short changed especially my generation. Lastly, we need a packed legislative agenda for judicial reforms and key amongst these reforms are a Freedom of Information Act where government must inform the citizenry of the contents of contracts signed on our behalf especially that of our natural resources petroleum included. We cannot and MUST NOT do business with the former economic cronies. The emergence and tolerance of a strong civil society must be fostered to curb the excesses of government and also act in safe guarding the public interest by being the publics watch dog.

The Ugly Face of Gambian Politics

For a work of art to be termed a master piece it has to have distinct characteristics that are unique, timeless and above all, self expressive. Over the years, the loom has woven an intricate fabric with a wide array of colors and patterns on the Gambian tapestry otherwise called our social fabric.

The semblance of social order and harmony prevails when there is an extended lull of harmonious existence. The ugly beast called tribalism has been given a new lease on life to roam about freely in the nooks and crannies of our beloved homeland. Poverty and injustice do not have tribal sensitivities and therefore they are equal opportunity employers who look beyond tribe to unleash their wrath. The million dollar quesion that consumes my thought process begs to inquire who the proponents of tribalism are? Well my limited understanding of our social setup and dynamics convinced me to conclude that our politicians are not only the architects but the sponsors of this ugly beast called tribalism. Naturally politicians are opportunistic beings who exploit the weaknesses and divisions amongst us to create a base. This base feeds on sentiments that drive their quest to acheive their stated political objectives.
Not much has changed from the colonial master/colonised relationship to the new found power structure of politician/supporter relationship whereby the politician build a bridge to nowhere with marching supporters galloping towards self destruction.

Gambians at home and abroad have been consumed with the political events unfolding at the home front and to my utter dismay, the armchair pundits have stolen the essence of the narrative by drawing a wedge against a group of people who should share a common objective. There is no Fula, Jola or Mandinka hegemony in this beautiful country of ours. What we have is a cartel of vested parties (politicians) who prostitute a group of people for their personal gains and objectives. I say no to divisive politics and politics of personal interest. Progressive Gambians are converging to chart a way forward for a new Gambia whereby tribe is not a destructive nomenclature but rather a covetted treasure to celebrate our diversity. Our political philosophy should be centred around economic and social empowerment. The Gambian cannot endure a life of double jeopardy where the colonial master railroaded us and now only to fall in the hands of our kin and kindred once again in mental servitude.

The progressives amongst us must not only speak out against tribalism and all its guises but also any ploy to disintegrate our social fabric. Gambians are drifting away in ways never seen before and this must be halted by the conscientious objectors who hate divisive politics and marginalisation of the polity. Politics must be a civic engagement that furthers the discourse in accumulating socioeconomic dividends not the "say gaal ma warr la" syndrome reminiscent of politics of divide and rule. Thats not what I bargained for and thats not what being Gambian means to me. My sociopolitical  contract with the politicians is to lower my taxes, protect me from external aggression and safeguard my fundamental rights to liberty and self expression. Once these are not safeguarded, my contract becomes violated making it null and void. I own the electrical broom called voter's card and am at liberty to hire and fire through the ballot. I am the boss of the political class therefore I will not bend in servitude to none. My fellow compatriots lets understand our might and dictate the pace, style and form of our governance structure. They behave in a manner consistent with our stated desires or we kick them out of office. We own the Gambia and it is neither a fiefdom nor an oligarchy so lets do the right thing as children of the soil that gave birth to great men of courage, conviction, honor and dignity. Sait Matty, Maba Jahou, Tamba Jammeh, JC Faye, PS Njie and many others of yester years would have added their voice in the burning issues of the day.

What's In It For The Electorate? What Should We Demand from the political class?

The color palette and the canvas are an artist tool kit for a breath taking marvel that galleries and museums fight to exhibit. The inspiration of the artist is translated in a luminescent display of color and graphics. Equally, the tool kit of a politician is displayed in the coherence of his/her socioeconomic programmes and judicial interventions for the fostering of a harmonious society.

Unfortunately in the Gambia, the pundits and electorate have been consumed with the personalities of the candidates rather than the content of their programmes. Hope is a lifeline to no where and in recent times, Gambians have been banking their hopes on a new Gambia but this hope is not underpinned by any tactical or strategic planning that can yield the desired outcome. Therefore our hope has culminated into a mirage in a desolate desert. This brings me to the limited political sophistication of the Gambian and our narrowly defined interest that blurs our vision to see the bigger picture. An alliance of convenience will be short lived as it lacks conviction and a genuine reason d'etre for its formation. The more I peruse through the pages of Gambian social media, the more I longed for a New Gambian whose political horizon transcends tribe and region. I yearn for a new Gambian who has a score card to judge the efficacy of a political aspirant. Personally, I am in search of a candidate that can galvanize our resolve to weave a new Gambia that is socially cohesive and at peace with itself. Yes I mean peace because peace is just not the absence of war but a thriving environment that promotes the human ideal of progress, equality and dignity. My score card will focus on education, health, agriculture and sustainable economic and infrastructural development.

My vote may be trivial in the grand scheme of things but I will only discharge my civic duty if I see a candidate befitting to my espoused ideals. Lets stop talking about the candidates and worry about what they can deliver for us. That's what the Gambia needs not political jockeying for relevance. Come on lets not allow ourselves to pimped by our politicians. We are not prostitutes but we surely behave like them as we bicker over issues of no significance to our bottom line as Gambian electorates. Good evening from the Gambia to all and we are now at T minus 29 days so lets realign our national priorities to show the politicians where power lies.

In a way Gambians have hinted their desires to the politicians but they refused to take heed as they see us as tools of their trade. This fallacy has to change. We are the masters of the political class so we must not be allowed to be hoodwinked by none of them. The broad consensus for the new Gambian is to usher a new political dispensation that will efface fear and ill will amongst us. We are one family that harbor ecades old ano.osity borne out of our social construct of years past. Reprisal and hatred will not take us far so lets get our house in other and behave like one people under God.

Team Isatou - A Squandered Opportunity

A lesson not learned in the past, will surely be repeated in the future. Gambians hardly indulge in case studies to assess and diagnose the what and why of many things that plague us be it business, politics or otherwise.

Dr Touray's emergence in the political fray has been met with enthusiasm and exuberance and rightly so as Gambians of diverse origins and social standing were looking for that messiah to usher in a dawn of a new day in our political dispensation. Timing and strategy often meet at the confluence of opportunity to usher in success. The stars were aligned in favor of the good old Dr as the oracles of Katchikally, Sani Mentering and Alay Henni Bolong had all given the go ahead for her bid to make history not only as the first woman candidate but the leader of the third Republic. This golden opportunity handed to Dr. Touray is not only a missed opportunity for her but a squandered opportunity. Yes I said squandered because her bid was neither strategic nor tactical from the onset as it relates to the courtship of the political operatives and parties who are essentially the king makers in her bid to become the heir apparent.

Dr. Touray must have recognized from the onset that she lacked a political base/home to use as a launch pad for her campaign. Therefore she had to leverage her goodwill to the existing parties to show her support and for all intent and purpose, she meant well but team composition is key to a successful bid. Once again, my utterances are devoid of prejudice and ill will towards the good old Dr but I was not comfortable with the team that was visible to the general public. She might have had a behind the scene dream team but the public team did not tactically and strategically win the hearts and minds of the political operatives who should have accorded her a platform to operate on. The reason for this in my humble opinion was the gender bias that was evident in her team and the political orientation of her primary surrogates. Dr Touray wore different hats within the community (Professional, Activist and Political) and she should have adopted a team headed by a political prodigy not a novice in the business of politics and negotiations. No party has a monopoly on voters but voters generally have an affinity with political parties and her going directly on the trail to court voters put her on a collision course with the existing parties as they viewed her as a potential competitor. This made it virtually impossible for the parties to surrender their political bases to her gratis.

Listening to Dr. Touray's press conference yesterday was disturbing to say the least as it was evident that she lacked good counsel as they would have advised her to stay clear of such unwarranted controversies that will not only erode brand Isatou but put her at logger heads with Gambians yearning for change. My expectations were not met as I expected her to take the high road in the interest of the Gambia by being a bridge builder inspite of her alleged experiences with the political parties. Being an interested candidate who signed off on the convention process, she was duty bound to get adequate information about the process in terms of cost and procedure. Therefore she has no excuse to blame the organizers as she was fully vested in the process. Secondly, if her team was attending the deliberations that led to the convention the so called breakdown in communication she experienced would not have occurred. With all due respect, I CANNOT subscribe to that premise as her reason for not participating. Great leadership calls for taking responsibility and this process is not owned by GOFER but the aspirants and their political base.

The good old Dr. has a vital role to play in the new Gambia but her botched campaign is self inflicted as team composition was not diligently pursued. We need her to be part of a new dispensation but not finger pointing. Political jockeying and maneuvering can be sleazy but her entry strategy needed a further rethink and I hope she has learned a thing or two about participatory politics. We at #TEAMGAMBIA want a unified front. Great leaders unite people and solidify a common purpose when the going gets tough not apportion blame to others. Gambians are looking for problem solvers not problem identifiers. 

SET THE CAPTIVES FREE

This post may ignite sentiments that may not sit well with the political establishment especially those in the opposition. Political parties are formed to champion the political ideology and aspirations of members who subscribe to it.  Political change in democratic dispensations are ONLY guaranteed through suffrage  (the ballot). This is not an easy task especially in a simple majority sytem where winner takes all prevails. A political mandate in my view is the unanimous decision of the electorate conferred to a candidate to spearhead the affairs of the state. Under a robust system this mandate will be put under a tacit scrutiny to solidify the will of the people by imposing an absolute majority. An absolute majority is confirmed through a second round of voting to assure a 50 plus 1.

Unfortunately that doesn't obtain in the Gambia and the irresponsible attitude of the party Czars are becoming a disservice to the people. Basically the will of the electorate can ONLY be manifested meaningfully under a broad based coalition ideally led by a party but if these political operatives don't comply to the logic of the day, then they have effectively kidnapped our wishes thereby making us captives of our aspirations. Inorder to set the captives free, the captors must be admonished by bringing in an outsider to bridge the gap/divide they find hard to address amongst themselves. The ransom is the provision of an independent candidate. Gambians who want change have been at the mercy of the parties who cannot identify with the aspirations of their members. That said, we the electorate have paid our ransom and want to be set free by the political establishment that looks out for their ill conceived personal interest. We need to sort ourselves out because the political class cant solve our problems. We want them to free us from the stalemate they have lured us in to. Our interest is a New Gambia and their interest is the personalisation of our political process. We deserve better and we will ask for a better arrangement or we will create an alternative that suits our aspirations. Wake up and sense the pulse of the Gambian electorate who want change.

The Glass Ceiling has Shattered

Isatou who? Dr. Isatou Touray. Oh yea the renowned gender activist who wants an end to female genital mutilation . The name not only rings a bell but resonate with progressive contemporary Gambians who cherish social justice and equity. She fights for the marginalized and less privileged amongs our lot especially the women folk. Can she be a game changer and a bridge builder come Decision 2016? I think the answer is a resounding yes based on her proven track record and steadfastness towards the Gambian cause. This lady will surely tilt the political fulcrum and pendulum more towards the centre. A voice of reason and conscience who can cement the cracks evident within the GOP camp. I am looking forward to her maiden press conference and reasons for her political ambitions.

Her position as a non state actor equips her for political participation in our political arena. A day in politics is eternal and the political landscape is yet to take its appropriate course. Political evolution is beginning to reach a new high in the Gambia and lets patiently watch the space for the back door deals and intense jockeying and maneuvers. It is still not high noon in our new found political day. So lets keenly watch the space and avoid false starts. The polity will collectively demand their yearnings and aspirations to the GOP as an entity and therefore, I expect from the GOP electorate to force their respective parties to rally behind Dr. Touray. Her neutrality makes her the candidate of compromise for the GOP to rally behind for a viable coalition. From my vantage point, I see Dr. Touray as a bridge builder who has burst on the scene without excess baggage. For the interest of a unified force Dr. Isatou Touray is more appealing than any candidate presented to date. This has nothing to do with her academic credentials but the mere fact that she is an outsider within the political establishment. Therefore anybody who means business will not only encourage her as a compromise candidate to boost turnout and cross party support but if one wants to be myopic and self centered then they can opt for a candidate that will not galvanize unanimity amongst the existing GOP. Just my take being closer to ground zero than most pundits. Mind you my assessment is without prejudice or ill will to Kandeh. I am a mere political investor who wants a greater return on invest on my political capital nothing more. It's a dawn of a new day in our political dispensation. I am not endorsing her candidacy for now but it ushers in new dynamics that may change the race for the highest office in the land.
 

The emergence of Dr Touray will be a litmus test for our political sophistication and priorities. The dynamics have surely changed and the career political operatives will now have to unveil their true interest; Gambia or their narrowly defined political interest. The proof of the pudding will surely be in the eating. Gambia or them and this is the end product of Dr. Touray's addition in the race. A candidate who is well known in all nook and cranny of the country. A person who has directly interacted with more families and communities in the country than most political operatives.

Them Versus Us Syndrome

My diasporan family and friends will not like the premise of this post am about to construct. Gambians at both home and abroad do have collective aspiration to build a better Gambia that is premised on sustainable social justice and access to economic opportunities. That said, the two sides (home based and the diaspora) have a divergence of philosophical thought and reality and this will forever frustrate our sincere and bonafide efforts of convergence. I urge all to read keenly and not to denigrate the author as he is simply venturing into the mind of the Gambian based on his intimate encounters with both sides.

For a start, we have an imperfect relationship as the diasporans are mostly the financial underwriters of political activity on the ground. Naturally, they will want more stake in the administering and direction of political activity on the ground by peddling their influence to reorient the prevailing political thought to suit their objectives. This issue is delicately managed by the political operatives on the ground but with a degree of skepticism. The homegrown activist is weary of the diaspora as they smell a sense of entitlement and down play of local participation. In reality, these are all perceptions harbored by both sides and any constructive endeavor to synergistically converge may be a daunting task.

The political narrative is controlled by the online media outlets mostly based in the diaspora. They often rubbish the intellect, guts and will to effect change by the locals. This stereotype extends the preconceived notion that the locals are not ready for change. Perceptions are strong and it can be reinforced by the stereotypes harbored. The locals also have a strong sense of entitlement given the fact that they operate on ground zero and bear the brunt of being in the front lines. The shifting of allegiance by political opportunist and escapist is also another cause for concern for the diaspora. We have seen mouth pieces and disciples of the regime morphed into super nemesis/activist. Are their actions genuine? Can they be trusted? These are to name a few concerns lingering in the hearts and minds of the diasporan Gambian. The nuances and road blocks impeding our concerted regroupment are all trivial and centre around prejudice and perceptions. Gambia though small boast of a highly polarized citizenry whose minor differences hinder their collective resolve to do great things together. Finally, the diaspora has a vested interest in the political outcome of the country but they MUST realize their limitations as it relates to their disenfranchisement. I wished they have the right to vote and be counted but for now that is not our political reality therefore they must regroup and effectively agitate for reforms that will yield dividends for that cluster of Gambians living in distant shores and by extension us on the ground. However, this cannot be attained if they remain splintered. There is a leadership vacuum in the diaspora and often times, the online media is allowed to sway/peddle influence on lives of organizations. A classic example is the demise of the organization led by one Mr. Kanteh in Switzerland. The split was played out for all to see on social media. Reforms are always introspective meaning it starts inwards. Equally, the Gambians on the ground lack inspiration and hope as the opposition on the ground are bickering and jockeying for personal space rather than a common position for the greater good. Personally, I refused to rent out premium real estate space in my head to some of these entities as their agenda will not advance my cause as a Gambian. Lets battle our inner demons and purge ourselves of the destructive tendencies of the new Gambian. Change starts from within and genuine change evolves from courage of conviction. Do we believe in ourselves and ability to do good and be better Gambians? If so, lets get the ball rolling or we continue being the opportunist, prostitutes and subjects we resign our fate to. No prejudice intended from this post just a thought residing in the mind of a provocative curious Gambian who yearned for a brighter day

The Prostituted Gambian Mind

Prostitution is not only manifested through sexually perverted and deviant practices. It is also manifested in the unconscionable behavior of humans through our deliberate actions that negate the moral compass innate in our subconscious state. Being a slave of our conscience can be a beast of burden that consumes our daily thoughts and activities. Most humans find it irreconcilable to be at ease with what they know to be outright and flagrant abuse or transgression on fellow humans.

In the case of the Gambia, I am of the view that most in our midst have lost the ability to communicate with their inner self thus the demise of their conscience. A spineless human being cares about nothing but the preservation of self at all cost and hence the deliberate indifference manifested by some of us against our fellow compatriots. This attitude is morally repulsive but it is a consequential effect of poverty, Social complex borne out of age old prejudices and moral decadence borne out of our insatiable appetite to acquire material and worldly possessions at the least cost to our efforts and energy. Prostitution of the mind is a severe state of decadence that is irreversible once entrenched in our daily routines. The distinction between wrong and right is often swayed by expected returns and or favors to be accrued. God bless the Gambian for we have become our own beast of burden due to our deep immersion to worldly possessions. So lets start looking inward for a solution to our festering Gambian nightmare of insincerity and lack of loyalty and conscience. We have to take ownership of our thought processes and also question authority as power is vested on us and by proxy, we delegate our inalienable powers to chosen leaders to deliberate on our behalf. We must fear no one but God because he is our provider and protector not any mere mortal like us. Our mortal existence MUST be dignified and meaningful to all that we encounter be it humans or the environment. The Gambian has opted for a non dignified existence by playing second fiddle to the whims and caprices of the highest bidder. What a painful existence! Finally, lets not expect MUCH from the preachers of morality for they talk like angels and act like men. Our theologians/clergy are supposed to be the shepherd of the flock we collective called Gambia. They must give us spiritual guidance to sanitize our existence and interactions with our fellow brothers and sisters. The Gambian cause must not be a political revolution but a moral crusade. This moral crusade will be the arbiter of our conscience and once attained, we can then have viable political decisions to benefit the Gambian family at large. Let the real Gambian please stand up not the self centred opportunistic animal innate in our existence. We just want to receive and hardly give back. Time for a serious and critical rethink of our national values and priorities. Gambia is here to stay for posterity therefore we all must endeavor to do the right thing for her so that our off springs will be proud of us and the plume of the historian will serve us right. After carefully shopping for great Gambian virtues and ideals, I walked to the checkout counter called the Gambian reality and I felt short changed by myself and by extension, all of us as Gambians

A Journey In The Mind Of A Conscientious Objector

Thomas Paine one of the founding fathers of modern America once stated that "T'is the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. The time has come for us Gambians to put emotions aside and reason with each other without ill will. Our nation needs the service and input of all to be counted in the league of nations that are striving for prosperity and progress.

'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=thomas+paine

'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=thomas+paine

'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/conscience_2.html

If Gambia is our home land as ascribed by our solemn anthem then we MUST let justice guide our actions towards the common good. I deliberately used the operative word "IF" meaning that we hold the words of our national anthem to be sacred and self evident that Gambia comes first before anyone and any ideology. A lot has transpired in recent times in the land we all claimed to love and if the interest of Gambia is paramount then we all must be each others keeper. The Gambia has become a polarized nation where micro interests/issues has shrouded the bigger picture. As conscientious Gambians, we need to remind each other of our duty to country and our promise for man's brotherhood. 

That said, I will want to bring to light the trial of Lawyer Darboe and Co as it has climaxed. Naturally, it is believed that if one does a crime he/she must serve the time but equally, the punishment MUST fit the crime. The State has a right to bring ANY citizen to the halls of JUSTICE but also the JUSTICE SYSTEM based on our legal code endorsed by our constitution have created safe guards to protect the citizens from the over zealous reach of the law if they are not found wanton. For the Gambia to prosper, we all need to have a unity of purpose and common interest for an emerging Gambia. My citizenship in the going concern called the Gambia gives me a right that is equivalent to a shareholders right in a corporate entity. This right accords me the opportunity to vote during elections and to also voice my opinion reasonably in the interest of the greater good. Based on the foregoing concern, I plead with the custodians of justice and civil order to dispense justice without fear or favor or ill will. For our anthem tells us to " let justice guide our actions". Posterity is here to judge us all in the Gambian narrative and we must endeavor to be great citizens of the land we all claimed to love. This is not a plea but a solemn reminder to my fellow countrymen and women. On the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr, the President and Commander in chief of the Republic admonished the elders to have the courage and conscience to dialogue with him in furtherance of the country we all claimed to love. I will go a step further by saying that we all as citizens of this blessed land called the Gambia have a duty of care to not ONLY speak the truth to each other but state our concerns and wants to the people that lead us. I pray for a unified Gambia that is not based on tribal lines and narrowly defined personal/political interest as our conscience MUST ALWAYS be our moral compass for our behavior and utterances. God bless Gambia and I can surely sleep at night for taking this heavy load that burdened my conscience for months. I am mentally free from my inner demons that asked me to speak. Love for country starts with being honest with self.

There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts
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Race! Race! Race! The Great American Tragedy

All is not well in the land of Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington and all was never well since the inception of these United States of America. Serious grievous harm was inflicted on the Native Americans and the imported African slaves who toiled the land that industrialized America to the marvel that it is today. Theoretically, America is the best country on paper as the men that sat at Constitution Hall drafted a masterpiece for what they considered America. For a start, the sacred document stated that “All men are created equal and do have an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Whilst this was enacted to law, the Negro in the US was not considered human and was therefore deemed property of farm owners who not only exploited them for their physical strength but were also exploited fiscally because the owners of slaves benefited financially at the expense of the African slaves.

Society cannot forge ahead without atoning for the sins of the past and creating a new paradigm whereby historical prejudices and racially based biases are eliminated. America has conveniently swept away race issues under the rug hoping that the ugly chapter of its infamous history will fade away quietly. Unfortunately, the ghost of Nat Turner, Denmark Vessey, and Django still haunts modern America in its attempts to move on without adequately addressing the issue of slavery.  Furthermore, the prejudices of yester years orchestrated by men such as Huey P. Long and the likes of Governor Wallace of Alabama shifted from the halls of power to a more powerful medium called the media. Right wing American media has over the years done a good job at dehumanizing the Negro and the reinforcement of the messages spewed on their mediums have solidified in the minds of most law enforcement officials particularly “White Policemen”. The Negro male is fast becoming an endangered sub-specie of the human race thanks to the systematic abuse of his fundamental rights of existence by the establishment. The Negro male has a high incarceration rate relative to the general population; he also encounters POLICE BRUTALITY more often than any other group within the general population and the highest fatalities in the hands of law enforcers. If all these statistical abstracts are coincidences, then I will safely say that there is a problem with the American social set up. Often times, we are uneasy to address or talk about the issues of race as we avoid offending the very people who perpetuate the very system that is oppressing the Negro (political/judicial) establishments.

When I hear emotionally charged right wingers especially the political elite pompously talking about the Negro being a burden to the state as it relates to welfare, I realize the ignorance displayed by the law makers that are charged with drafting laws to build an equitable America based on merit. The Negro was NEVER a BURDEN to the State as they are the underwriters of modern America and the halls of justice has drafted a bounced cheque for the sweat and tears of the Negro by failing to adequately protect and offer restitution to them. Once again shame on the collective psyche of modern America for not taking the bull by the horn and deal with the issue of race conscientiously with sincerity. The American system needs a complete overhaul as it continued where slavery and segregation left off without adequately handling the very issues that plagued the Negro since her forceful importation to the United States. The Negro needs equal protection under the law like any other United State citizen.

When Strategic Interest Overwites Economic Interest

First of, I must renew my Pan African credentials by praying for closer political and socioeconomic ties for the people of Africa particularly the people of SeneGambia. The recent pronouncement for the construction of a bridge at the Yelli Tenda/Baba Tenda crossing to cement closer ties with our sister country (Senegal) is a welcome move but I will qualify this milestone with a caveat “Buyer Be Ware”. This implies that the State of Gambia need to know fully what it is getting into and to have adequate legal cushion to exercise a force majeure as and when required to protect first and foremost the national interest of her people.

There is nothing wrong with opening up our territorial space to Senegal for the ease of commerce and movement of her people as this will boost our economic dividends and broaden the fraternal ties that bind the two countries. Furthermore, it is my humble opinion that such closer ties will rectify an anomaly that has been the creation of the colonialist who divided one people into two countries. However, the financing and construction of the bridge MUST BE entirely a Gambian initiative as the issue of equity can compromise our sovereignty. Senegal being a co-financier of this noble initiative accords them an irrefutable stake for an unfettered right of access as long as the bridge is operational. The Government of the Gambia should have sourced alternate financing initiatives that will efface the issues of sovereignty and this could have been addressed through a public/private initiative whereby by private capital would finance the construction of the bridge and the capital investment will be recovered through toll charges.

Political expediency has always been the corner stone of future disputes that could be averted if proper due diligence and strategic national considerations are factored in the decision matrices for the adoption of major public goods. Having co- financing being the model applied, the two nations have inadvertently diluted the respective national territorial space into one thereby creating one SeneGambia. Therefore we need to accept the symbiotic nature of our existence and forge a meaningful coexistence that will usher in a dawn of a new day for the people of SeneGambia. Border closures and trade impediments should not be a way of life for the people of SeneGambia. We Demand from our political class to foster closer bilateral ties that will culminate into common market. The construction of this bridge has paved the way for the Government of the Gambia to look into the funding and construction of a more ambitious project (Banjul/Barra Crossing). This project in my opinion will be the Suez Canal or China wall equivalent for the Gambia.

DECISION #GM22O 2016

Soul searching and reflection are introspective human traits that often realign our thoughts once we get off track. Is the Gambian off track? I dare say that we are far off tangent and this is a malaise suffered by both sides of the political divide (GOP & INCUMBENT). Our short comings are many like most ordinary humans as they embark on their daily chores and routines. What's missing in our national discourse and interactions are sincerity and courage of conviction. Opportunism has eroded our sincerity and a spine less human cannot stand tall. Politics is not a vocational nor a carrier to make a living out of. Most respected politicians have a carrier or profession outside of public service. Indeed public service is a noble endeavor but we cannot leverage our lives on it. My wish for the Gambia is to see young vibrant able bodies to partake in the political life of the country we all claimed to own. Our participation must not be passive but a deliberate active participation backed by conviction and devotion to duty, honour and country. The retardation of our beloved Gambia is underpinned by the youth folk (me & you) whose personal interest often override the greater good. Decision 2016 for ##GM220 is months away and the youth folk are deal makers and Game changers depending on what their franchise means to them. We must do away with politics of personality and for the first time in the history of the Gambia vote on a score card filled with issues that have a socioeconomic compass and entrenchment of people's rights. The interest of the Gambia is bigger than any demographic segment of society and or any special interest or agenda. Our conscience must be our moral compass once we enter the booth to make a choice. The ultimate responsibility of a citizen is to pay taxes and vote and these two duties must be executed without fear or reprisal. The trajectory of our national solely lie in the hands of the polity not the political class. Lets scrutinise our politicians and force them to work hard for our coveted votes. I love Gambia more than any politician and my vote is for the best amongst the lot. Therefore I am shopping for a candidate and I must be convinced. Leadership is not only about vision but a resolute and firm character to galvanise our devise people. Please let us not vote on tribal or economic/ social interest but on the basis of cultivating a vibrant Gambia with abundant economic opportunities and social equity and justice for all. Just my thoughts as Decision 2016 draws near. My allegiance is to Gambia and my vote is personal and dear to me in furtherance of a progressive Gambia. Having domion over a prospective political office seeker, I reign supreme as the words "we the people" is priceless and a lethal weapon of the polity. God bless Gambia.

THE MISEDUCATION OF THE GAMBIAN

The yolk of colonial bondage and subjugation have been crushed but colonialism and its excesses have surely taken a toll on the Gambian mentality. A good number of our population are post Independence Gambians whose interaction with the colonials are non existant but yet still, they suffer from a colonial hang over. This existential threat has delayed our collective progress particularly in the sphere of nation building and national cohesion.

Our social elite particularly the political class have continued where the colonials left off. It is normal for the colonials to ransack and loot us as this was not a hidden agenda but a deliberate policy of acquisition and accumulation by the unconscionable British Crown. Having our own looting and plundering from our common wealth is not only disturbing but a perpetuation of the colonial agenda of under developing the homeland. The reason our forebearers the Maba Jahou's, Sait Matty, Musa Molloh and Foday Kaba put up a formidable resistance against the tyranny of the British was to restore dignity of the indegenous. This agenda was further agitated by the architects of Independence. Therefore having our political class subjugate our inalienable rights reserved and protected by not only our sacrosanct cononstitutional instruments and generally accepted universal rights amounts to regression from Independence Gambia to pre independence. The colonials made us believe that power lies with them and this was not only a fallacy but a tool of repression and misinformation. Once again, the political class since independence failed to educate the Gambian of his/her rights within a constitutional framework. "We the people" is a force bigger that the political class or anyone for that matter. Power lies in the polity hence our prerogative to elect representaves and leadership.  We are the custodians of power and the political machinery MUST work for our common good or we revolt against it in the form of elections. The English language is very clear about the position of politicians and public officials.They are deliberately and accurately referred to Public servants and civil servants respectively as they receive their mandate from us (we the people). Any well meaning leader will re educate the Gambian and address the deliberate anomaly that witness a servant usurping the power of people. Power must return to its rightful owners the people. The divisive political maneuvers of the colonials prolonged their stay and welcome in our homeland as we lacked a common resolve and unity of purpose to see our common enemy the British but we bicker and destroy eachother. Equally our political class continued with this devisive political weapon and this significantly contributed to the non Gambianization of the Gambian whose anthem called for unity and brotherhood. This ugly vice delayed our March towards the common good. It's time we sanction our political class for they have ushered the flock  to obscurity and destitution. A well meaning leader will restore power and dignity to the owners of power by educating and empowering them. We the people is cast in stone and we should not fear to ask for what is rightfully ours. We are the installers of rulers and the final arbiter with regards to where power lies. Booker T Washington in the MISEDUCATION OF THE NEGRO highlighted ignorance as an impetus in the advancement of colored folks. Equally ignorance is a road block for the upliftment of the Gambian at home and abroad as we export our vices to distant lands. School has gone through most of us and we have achieved the pinnacle of academic success but we have not gone through school because our mindset is still colonised.  Freedom starts with purging mental slavery. Happy Independence to all. Lets take stock of our colonial hangover to fight corruption, inequality, tribalism and nepotism.

Gambia @ 51

My status bar updates these past few days have been deliberately inundated with narratives and retrospective redirection and focus on the people who brought us this far. In the beginning there was a land called Kambi Bolongho and God said let Gambia be and the nation state called Gambia was conceived. A lot of consensus building and compromise culminated to February 18 1965. Not everyone got what they wanted but they mustered their resolve to usher the birth of our nation. My heartfelt admiration and respect to our founding fathers. Like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Nkrumah, Sedat Senghor and others before them, our founding fathers meant well but their short coming was that they were not cut out to be nation builders but they have performed diligently given the development tool kit at their disposal. That said, life has to go on and there is still room for improvement and it starts with love for country, respect for each other and a society that respects what people bring to the table. We harbor insidious mistrust and stereo types that puts us at odds with the common good of the average Gambian. 51 years and counting, and we are still struggling to create a Gambian identity devoid of tribal, class and regional nuances that deter our common aspirations. Our history has been defined by people (the colonials) who had a vested interest in our disunity. The sentiments we harbor towards each other is a consequent of that narrative brought about by the mischievous colonialists. Their narrative for men like Edward Francis Small and PS Njie is not only inaccurate but perpetrated to sow the seeds of discord. To call Edward Francis Small a trouble maker or a bad son of the soil is to dishonor his selfless attempts to emancipate the mind of the Gambian particularly the peasant folk. Associating PS Njie with tribalism tantamount to being a political and historical novice. These men had conviction and wanted to regain our dignity and right to self determination. That said, we need to embark on a journey of self discovery through educational reorientation as the old adage “Man know thy self” is pertinent to the Gambian experience.

I may not be around in 2065 to celebrate our centennial but my dream is to see a country led by Gambians in all spheres of life. A country that is economically buoyant and opportunities created for the entrepreneurial class to be captains of industry and employment generation. A country where poverty is eradicated and opportunities for upward mobility are presented to people who want to excel. In the political space, I will love to see a country where politics of personality is replaced by issue oriented politics and the electorate are not hoodwinked by the political class. Cronyism and opportunism which are parasitic traits of modern Gambia curbed. A country with a social contract that tolerates non conventional views. A hub for and launch pad for all things Africa. This can only be achieved if we commit to serious attitudinal change and dedication to the common good. The interest of the sum total of Gambia is greater than the interest of one and we must be god fearing and conscientious in deed. Gambia can't sink and will not sink because our collective resolve is insurmountable. We should be a law abiding nation with equal opportunity granted to all. May god guide and protect our mother land and may we live to witness our dreams and aspirations attained in furtherance of the nation we love to make better. May our leaders have the vision and fortitude to work towards the common good. For the Gambia ever true and we need to rededicate and work for the interest of the home land. Independence day is not about politics but finding our common resolve as Gambians. No one person or group will be victorious as we are all in the same boat and fear the same fate if the boat sends a distress signal. We will all walk to the gates of the promise land called Gambia if we toil for her. Lets all take a moment and pray for the architects and founding fathers of  our beloved Gambia. Gambia at 51 would not have been realized without the efforts of men such as Edward Francis Small, JC Faye, PS Njie, David Kwesi Jawara, Sanjally Bojang, St Clair Joof. IBM Garba Jahumpa, M.E Jallow and and many other unsung heroes. Going forward we need to dedicate a public holiday entitled “Heroes Day to our fore bearers for the gallant work of ushering a dawn of a new day that reinstated pride and dignity in Gambians. Happy 51st Independence Anniversary and let’s get back to work in the service of the state. Gambia sunu reww ligaay mou natt. Divisive politics and subjugation MUST NOT BE TOLERATED as our forebearers have sacrificed for generations yet unborn and we must jealously guard the gains they made to gave us hope for a better day. Happy Independence to all irrespective of political affiliation. 18 February is a day of brotherhood. One Gambia, One people

Tribal Affiliation A Wedge Towards A National Identity

It is evident that the passage of time has not changed the Gambian psyche and sociopolitical norms. We do still have a hangover from the colonial era. The English did a good job dividing us in units we called tribe and our loyalty was based more on the tribe than the nation state we identify with. My previous post about PS Njie and his political ideology has reaffirmed my belief that not much has changed in our state of mind. Colonialism has done considerable harm to us and decolonizing our minds has been a futile endeavor and our collective progress is deterred by our inability to think as a national unit. Therefore Gambia@51 is still reminiscent of Gambia 1965 when our national interest was secondary to our tribal allegiance. This has nothing to do with a particular tribe but all of us as a collective. We still harbor stereotypes and sentiments that will only delay our common aspirations. 

The opportunists amongst our lot prey on the social vulnerabilities we possess particularly the political class. If we want to be a successful nation we need to see ourselves as a common entity with a common purpose. It baffles me that the 2016 Gambian still behaves like our ancestors who were just transitioning from communal living into modernism. Our intolerance, prejudice and harbored anger serves us no good. My assessment of Gambia@51 is that we belong to a State that is not at peace with itself for some of us believe we were not at the dinner table in the last republic and therefore have all rights to enjoy the spoils of office and social mobility whilst another group feel like they have been victimized by the new entrants. No ONE has an absolute monopoly of the Gambia and this is where our problem starts as some see Gambia as their fiefdom. Morality and consciousness cannot be legislated but it should be inculcated in us through sensitization and moral suassion. I am a Gambian whose allegiance is to country not tribe. Our behavior is not in conformity with modernism and this sentiment impedes our growth and development. The time has come for us to have frank discussions about country, attitudes and perceived entitlements. Our main problem is not politics but prejudice and perceived entitlement. Secondly our leaders are a function of the society they govern therefore we need to be introspective and do a deep soul searching on our convoluted psyche. Most of us DO NOT believe in a cause but join the band wagon as it serves our personal interest. This is whats scary about the "Gambian" a beast of burden whose personal interest supersedes the collective and therefore impede the development of the nation state we claim to love. The face changes we see in the political arena and switching of political allegiance have been here for the longest because dignity, loyalty and conscience is somehow absent in our personal decision matrices but we tend to talk about these values often but rarely practice them. For the Gambia to change we first need to change then we can hold our leaders accountable. The destruction of social order (value system, merit based society and collective good) has been kicked to the curb for personal gain. 51 years of hog wash cannot take the Gambia forward. We need to be sincere, authentic and stop the maslaha as that is not only hypocritical but inhuman. Lets face our demons and take the bad in us if we want to prosper as a state. Sibohru, Dogoh dogoh, boleh wanteh, envy is the cancer that has disintegrated our national fabric or what was left of it. Imagine an entity that is less than 2 million people and cannot find consensus on the most mundane things. I am a mandinka but not only a mandinka but Kiangka, badibunka ets, A wollof but not only a wollof, Saloum saloum, Fana fana etc. A messed up state of affairs that suits the political class but goes against the grain of nation building and national cohesion. What is a Gambian? A Gambian does not exist because we do not share common ideals as a people. Gambia@51 needs leadership that can galvanize us around common ideals not tribal affiliations etc. Sorry for my rants I AM JUST SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED