Dear Mr.Editor,
It is right that you raise awareness of impending melt down of the Gambias economy.It is also right to ask ,who will pick up the pieces of economic chaos and collapse.? In the short term, the ultimate authority and rescue will fall to the International community through direct and indirect taxation, the International Monetry Fund and the investors at The World Bank. In the longterm...those who will pay the price ..will be the children of The Gambia and the next generation .It is there future which is hanging in the balance.Since April this year,you have been kind enough to allow me space to aire my views on several matters to which i have knowledge and concern .I care deeply about my many Gambian friends ,who have honoured me with respect and friendship. I have often been critisised,... not for what ive said.....but for what ive not said...I have never believed in attacking individuals just for that sake ,without offering either a solution or a reasonable compromise.
The problems that The Gambia are facing are not isolated to your nation.The real problem is universal in Africa. You wanted {quite rightly} Independence.What you have done with it has been shocking.... Throughout my life,holding many positions of power and authority....sometimes i would be challenged by those who would critisise everyone and everything.But it always amazed me when i gave them time, to give me there version of what should be done.They would not... have any answer ? It is therefore pointless to blame everyone and everything including colonialism....or the British ...or World economic factors or even the Gambian Government .These are cop outs of your own responsibility.The responsibility lies with each and every one of you.When speaking to my African wife...she gave me the answer....she said imagine walking in the desert for days and thirsting..then suddenly you find a tap pouring good clean water...You drink till your full...but the Africans problem is they keep the water for themselves and dont share it with there neighbours .Therefore,they prosper and live ..and the rest of the people can go to hell.
Examples of this statement are in abundance since Independence.She further states..that we know our leaders are corrupt and selfish....all we ask as a people is that they share little of our wealth with us now and then..so we dont all perish.I think these words are a very sad endicment of Africa.You forgive , and forgive , and forgive. Many live and die without knowing 1 square meal a day.Many ,never own a new pair of shoes throughout there life.Many suffer in silence and never complain.The other factor, that i couldnt understand, is that when i approached, such poor people, a Government Minister told me point blank...that such associations could not be approved of.....A Government Minister , elected by the people entrusted to improve there lives.....didnt want me to touch these people.....There own blood and kith and kin .....Why ??? Such actions question the very nature of humanity...and the meaning of life ....? I often came away dejected and unconsolable. " Ours not to reason why ? Ours but to do or die"...I dont agree with this...in fact i diplore it !!!
Three nights ago....my phone rang at 5am in the morning...I was faced with a top Gambian Football Coach....who had been crying all night.With his last few dalasis he turned to his phone to ask me 3000 miles away to help his kids...who were faced with deriliction .He has 60 kids on his books that he inspires ..for the good of the nation. The obvious question is why do they turn to me and not those who are paid for this responsibility ?This along with arround 10 ...e/mails to me everyday from people who require anything from medicines to school fees.The numbers are getting worse everyday.I am really sorry to say this..but i believe Independence has proved a catastrophic failure..for most Africans.But i have to tell you...this is an African problem....It is only the African who can solve it......? Somehow you have to find the leaders who are free from greed and self interest and will act acordingly for the greater good of all Africans.You have to trade to live..wether it is a fish or a bag of peanuts.This is home economics.As a nation ,you have to trade with nations.This is International commerce.The British are surrounded by water....we have to trade to survive.Land is very expensive in Britain....property prices have trebled in 15 years.Our assets are not only confined to Britain...our overseas assets and investments are enormous. In the Global market our ecomomy is ranked arround 4th in the World.We are World and market leaders in many fields.WE are a very competitive and industrious people.Much of our achievment has been atributed to education ,knowledge ,technology and inovation.Our education system has produced some of the finest brains and inovators the World has seen.All this is underpinned by Law.It is the product of centuries of British endeavour .Yet we are only 60 million people on a very small island with few natural resources.
Africa..is blessed with the finest crude oil.It has an abundance of natural minerals.It has diamonds and gold.It has the finest fruits and vegetables and
natural medicines.It has the finest beaches...and a climate that lends itself to the tourist seeking sun and relaxation.
It is just and only a question of leadership that fails you.Also the structure of how you approach commerce and command.The ultimate challege for the next generation of Africans.....is how do you lift the right people to lead you to economic victory.?How do you attract your countrymen and women back to your Continent who are outcast to the furtherence of other nations aspirations.?Or will they remain and continue to emmigrate to easier pastures ?Africans need to to think very carefully on these issues to find solutions .The sooner the better ?
This is why the gambia needs democracy and debate and leaders who will respond to critisism.Not proliferate silence and blind obedience.It requires the nation to engage and embrace International investment and technology.In friendship and mutual interest and trust.Prosperity will not grow in isolation.Friendship will not grow without respect .Peace can not grow during confrontation.Water is for everyone....let us share and survive to prosper.
Thankyou for your time..Michael