The current mini-crisis within the coalition stakeholders regarding the strategy to use in nominating candidates for the upcoming national assembly election is a cause for concern. My intention is not to side with any individual or political parties in the coalition, however, I am more interested to save Gambia from a political catasstrophe.
We the Gambians want political leaders who are united and focus on nation building to effectively coordinate both human and economic resources to develop the country. And avoid unnecessary arguments that may divide the people and slows down economic progress in the country.
Gambia is among the poorest countries in the world. As a consequence, many young Gambians died on the back way while they try to go to Europe for economic opportunities. In order to stem the flow of our youths undertaking such perilous journeys to the Mediterranean, the country must be in both financial and peaceful position to do that. The sooner Gambia becomes financially stable the better for the citizens as we will be saving many lives.
To guarantee economic security for our motherland, we must compromise our personal interest for the advantage of the general public. Competition is good when our talks and actions are engineered to benefit the citizens at large. Although we may have differences in opinions, let us use wisdom when we discuss about national issues.
When we do not agree with someone, let us approach the person with respect and wisdom because this will help the individual to understand and learn from our ideas. When we abusively criticize an individual, the person will become defensive and neither the individual nor we will benefit from the discussion. Let us focus on what we can do to achieve our common goals which to be specific are peace and prosperity.
We cannot ensure peace and prosperity for Gambia without having both human and economic developments. Consequently, human and economic development cannot be attained and sustained without good governance. Good governance requires political maturity; and one would ask what political maturity is?
Political maturity is to listen to each other’s perspective with the view to build mutual understanding among ourselves as this will to help enhance trust in our relationships. We do not have to like every Gambian in order to trust them, but what we need to comprehend is that, we cannot progress without each other so, in order to maintain peace and development in the country we have to learn to protect our common interest.
To secure both economic and human development in the Gambia we must have strong institutions where everyone is equal before the laws. Establish checks and balances to prevent any individual becoming too powerful. Enact laws that protect everyone including a poor farmer, disable people, and children.
Now that we are together as a coalition government this is a good chance to establish good governance in the country. If we can successfully form a coalition part and win an election in 2016 then we are capable of working together as a team to build our country. As you the political leaders are the role models for the Gambians, please lead your people by good examples. Please do not repeat mistakes that the former political leaders made in the past, learn from their mistakes.
If I tell you that Gambia can develop even better than London, will you believe me? London was once a poor city, nevertheless, it’s among the richest cities in the world today.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were completely ruined during the Second World War. However, today these cities are among the most advanced places in the universe. How did the Japanese change their destroyed cities into wealthy ones? Gambia was never destroyed during the Second World War, how comes Japan is far more economically developed than the Gambia? What is the Gambia doing differently from Japan? These questions are important for us to be able to move forward.
The Japanese people could coordinate both their human and economic resources because they see Japan before any individual interests. Therefore, for the Gambia to develop we must change attitudes and we must become patriotic Gambians. We must be willing to collectively safeguard peace and prosperity for each Gambian.
Let us compromise our tribal differences because this is the key to our success. Either we like it or not, we will live in the same country and share the same resources. The French, the British, and the Germans used to be enemies, but now they are allies, even though they belong to different countries in their millions. Because they know that the only way they can have security is to look after each other’s interest.
If European states can establish democracy after hundreds years of war, Gambia can do it! If Japan and UK can assure economic sufficient, yes Gambia can ensure economic independent! For us to be the Dubai of Africa we ought to put the Gambia first and anything else secondary.
For the Gambia our home land “One People, One Nation, to the Gambia ever true.”
May the almighty Allah bless our beloved motherland?
Written by: Alkali Fofana and Edited by: Ansumana Ceesay, London
Gambia Voices 