Presidential 2012 Inauguration Reaction

Gambia The Way Forward: Setting Today’s Priorities for Tomorrow’s Possibilities

By Sheriff Kora

As the emerging winner of the November presidential elections in The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh as stipulated by the constitution took oath of office today the 19 of January 2012. The 30 minutes speech of the president that ensued his swearing by the Chief Justice was nothing short of one of the most famous political quotes of ex-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Jammeh has lost the art of communication, but not, alas, the gift of speech.

The president’s speech embellished in pomp and flower began by imploring all Gambians to unite under the umbrella of citizenship, to fight poverty, waywardness, underdevelopment, disunity, diseases, stagnancy. He continued on his call for patriotism in a new form of citizenship that strengthens our independence, peaceful coexistence, human dignity, global recognition, cohesion, and human security.

Delving deeper into his pledge to take Gambia to a promise land as an obligation derived from the confidence and the love Gambians have bestowed on him. All things considered, the hallmark, and the most salient phrase in the president’s speech was his allusion to the cliché that “where there is a will, there is always a way”.

As we wish the new government well, it is necessary for the government and all stakeholders in the democratic and progressive development of the Gambia to remind ourselves that electoral victory in and of itself does not translate to effective governance or development. As correctly put into context by the president himself, bringing the comprehensive national development plan of the country to fruition, requires the collective will of every Gambian.

By definition, sustainable development encompasses efforts of empowering the people, increasing community participation, fostering social cohesion, enhancing cultural identity and strengthening institutional development. Remarkably, there were all keywords which a strong presence in the president’s speech. If words could be taken at face value, his oratory this morning is undeniably the dream of any public policy or public administration student.

However, words are merely colorful and appealing like flowers. It is the action and outcomes that transform them into fruits. Operating in an internal environment that is beset with numerous anomalies as high rate of illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, high infant mortality, malnutrition, high cost of living, high energy deficiency, low industrial sector growth, rapid and unchecked urbanization, erosion, risks of climate change and natural disasters, drug proliferation, and human trafficking in one of the most dangerous and politically volatile region of the world, the APRC government will be tested and challenged.

Invariably, it is the policies, transparency, honesty, diligence, interactions and fiscal prudence of the APRC among many other factors that will be key determinants in the achievement of their policy objectives.  Equally important is what the president reiterated in his speech, it is the collective actions of all Gambians both home and abroad that will determine the superpower status of The Gambia.

Given a period when the socio-political situation in Gambia is marred, polarized and most fragmented in its post-independence history, the most relevant question that should be posed in search for answers towards meeting our democratic imperative and development goals is whether the APRC government in this term will make any necessary and meaningful departures, and if so, to what extent will be such departures in its socio-political and economic considerations?

A key shortcoming of this pompous inauguration address is the intentional refusal of any acknowledgement of the other political contenders in the recently concluded presidential elections. Leadership of a nation by default renders one the godfather role of an entire populace in that political jurisdiction.

As a result, grace, humility, equity and fairness in the affairs of state and upholding the spirit of social justice and mutual respect in building a strong civic society should be the hallmark of such a genuine leader. Let it be hoped and emphasized that to meet our sustainable development goals as enshrined under the vision 2020 agenda, it is imperative the government understands the complexities that surround its relationship with the opposition parties, businesses, NGO’s and individuals within the communities. Governments are tasked with the burden of policy formulation and decision making which entails foregoing one option in favor of another.

In such a hurried, varied and contested political hotbed, all political organizations are bound to face pressures from all groups each with a specific view on what constitutes economic and social balance.

Abiding by 20^th century strategies of governance to solve political problems or to meet expectations of the 21^st century will not cut it. It is time to embrace political fraternity with the other side, take calculated risks and stick to anticipatory policies of governance.

For the government to benefit from the rewards of an inclusive government that will usher in ethical governance by attracting all hands on deck, stamping out corruption, nepotism, tribalism and the vagaries of the economy, it is important the Jammeh government introduces and consolidates the “well-being” and “happiness” of all Gambians as a new government policy and a complement to the 2012 year of technology and science agenda. This will make it the first of its kind in Africa, thereby, granting us the global recognition as he sought in his address.

It is also crucial for the APRC government to not only engage the opposition, but to also listen to their competitive arguments. The opposition parties and their leadership should not be seen as unpatriotic citizens or selfish entities bent on detracting development efforts, but rather competing partners with different political goals and objectives towards bettering The Gambian lot.

Like members of the ruling party, the opposition members have both a constitutional and legal claim to the resources of the country and therefore should not be ostracized from participating in the matters of state where eligible; neither should there be an undue practice of doling preferential treatment or deprivation based on political affiliation.

It is through the seeds and concerted efforts of respecting dissent, social and distributive justice, engaging in mutual, freedom of expression, assembly, safeguarding of liberty, rights, social inquiry, and happiness that the Gambia will attain and cherish the fruits of innovation and the scientific excellence we seek.

In light of the challenges we face as a country in a global economy enervated by the effects of a prolonged financial crisis and the looming threats of climate change, war and terrorism, The Gambia is not by any measure immune to its own problems.

As we also begin to flounder under the complexities of our problems, it behooves us to extrapolate on the lessons of history and power of hope.

As when the world doubted our viability as a young sovereign nation in 1965, it is the audacity and the concerted effort of a few gallant men who despite their differences and animosity for another took the sacrifice to ask the colonialist for our independence. It is the principle of love, compatriotism and the spirit of brotherhood and Gambianism that enabled us to surmount the numerous challenges that lied ahead of us.

Despite our poverty and the indignation of powerful nations, it was the respect for human dignity and the rights of man that enabled The Gambia to etch a name for itself on the geopolitical landscape.

Despite our lack of mineral resources, it was upholding the words of our national anthem and the trust in God that we became viable, and incidentally joining the ranks of the Singapores, Malaysias and Trinidads in validating the truth that it’s no longer the size of a country that determines its viability, but rather the will and determination of its collective lot to look out for one another in the eyes of preying nations.

It is this love, and happiness that attracted droves of men and women to our shores. Let it be known that it is only through these principles of sacrifice, benevolence, togetherness and respect of our individual and collective rights that we will reach the promise land the president promises.

We shall not meet our full potentials as long as we stand divided and at daggers’ draw. Loneliness is the price of leadership, but the role of a leader is to mobilize support and empower the people to execute the development policies of the political leader. It is important we do away with the practices of political patronage.

It is time to employ the services of qualified Gambia expatriates and citizens at home without regard to political affiliation, sex, religion or creed. If we fail to tap into the full potentials of our workforce and human capital, the glory and full potentials of The Gambia will be pawned to the benefit of other nations whose agenda as noticed by the president is nothing more than expansive economic policies based on acquisitive methods. As a result, the onus lies on the government to craft policies that will spur productive behavior and incentivize economic growth.

It is a welcomed departure the past derogatory remarks about Gambians in the diaspora shifted to recognizing their equal and active participatory role in issues of national development. However, mere words won’t suffice. There is a strong need for honest and sincere engagement in rebuilding the mutual trust and sincerity that suffered along with years between the home-based Gambians and those in the Diaspora.

In honoring your clarion call for sacrifice to the national agenda and development, it will be a great service to your reputation as a seemingly charismatic figure to unclench your fist to usher a hand of reconciliation to those in exile for one reason or another.

In imploring you to do so, it is important for the Gambian dissidents to temper their rhetoric and vitriolic attacks on the government. The APRC government is a transient political entity that will eventually expend its time and someday be history, but the welfare and development of the country is for all Gambians and should be prime any agenda or efforts levied in the political imperative. Gridlock and dissent are good for a democracy, only at a point where we don’t let our emotions betray our conscience.

Arguments on Gambia’s democratic imperative should be based purely on premises of either a religious, philosophical, scholarly or political nature and not the personal attacks and abysmal character assassinations that have permeated certain online forums in recent times. To the government, it will be a foolish to assume that all Gambians should return home to directly contribute towards the national quota. Those with this notion must have a short memory of history or not aware of the realities of modern globalization and the forces of transnational migration.

However, advancement of modern telecommunication is redefining the formation and production of civil society and social capital. It is conspicuously transformed communities and personal interactions. Harnessing and adapting the powers of this modern revolution in strengthening our communities and opening new opportunities for individuals will be a key factor towards the implementation and success of the dynamic and transformative accelerated growth and employment agenda of the APRC government.

To attract foreign investment and to offset or reverse the inimical effects of the brain-drain syndrome, the government should invest generously in attracting, training and retaining its brightest citizens in modern technology. Technology is the steam that powers the globalized economy.

To gain a competitive edge in the global playing field, you either embrace it or go extinct. Communication technology has ushered in a host of virtual Gambian communities through which the government can build a mutually beneficial relationship with its Diaspora citizens on both pressing issues that warrant national attention and the effort of all and sundry or on the acquisition and transfer of knowledge to the local education, agricultural, research, energy sectors etc.

In conclusion, may God grant the leadership of the nation the wisdom and the patience of exercise the duties of his office within the confines of his statutory limitations by law and the constitution, to improve upon his democratic credentials and records of human rights and security.

May God grant him solace and the heart to temper justice; mercy and reconciliation in times of strive. May he be guided by the absolute wisdom that candor and the acknowledgement of mistakes and one’s imperfection is the path that leads to perfection. May his government under his leadership be guided by governance against greed when dispensing the national wealth. May the powers conferred upon him be a legal source for him to diligently and equitably check upon our moral inadequacies and a check on himself against its abuse therein.

May continue to protect The Gambia as we waddle along the murky waters of international politics. May The Gambia live to be a haven of peace, a friendly country to all nations. May God protect us against entangling ourselves in the web of ideological idiosyncrasies and international bigotry. God bless the Gambia and all Gambians.