PRESIDENT BARROW NOT PRESIDENTIAL ON HIS EID MESSAGE TO BANJUL ELDERS!
The president is not a president for a tribe, region or a specific political party but president for the country irrespective of tribe, religion or party colors. Unfortunately our president is yet to come to term with this reality.
As tradition,The Capital Muslim elders usually pay courtesy call to the president on Koriteh day. Since the first republic to the second and now President Barrow. The goal of this very important institution is degrading due to the politicization of the event.
I stead of preaching peace and unification of Gambians, rising cost of living, insecurity, maternal mortality and poor social services, the president was literally campaigning.
The president is unhappy reasons best know to him. Whatever the case maybe, Barrow should never loose sight of the fact that he is president of The Gambia.
The president’s reaction to critics who referred to some of his government officials criminals but unnecessary and the fact that he failed to proof the critics wrong, indicates truly that we have a government that is dubious, not transparent and corrupt to the core.
The president should have used his meeting the Banjul Muslim elders to reassure citizens of the country of their security and his government’s readiness to make livelihood affordable for ordinary citizens.
Because of his ego and unpresidential nature, the president refused to allow the Mayor Banjul to give a remark at such a very important meeting.
The fact that Mayor Lowe refused to be pocketed, the angry president refused to given her a platform to speak. The vibrant Mayor has been named the Mayor of the month for the whole of Africa, one the president should have recognized and congratulate her during the visit of the Banjul Elders.
President Barrow talk as about women empowerment, but he has no clue what that means and there wouldn’t recognize the immense contributions women play in the socio-economic development of The Gambia.
The president is the very threat to the peace and security of the country. The sooner he leaves the better for the peace, progress and unity of our people. Criminals pose danger to any society they live, criminals cannot bring any peace or development to any country.
They must go.
Mc Cham jnr National Youth president GDC
Barrow’s poor leadership- a recipe to economic junglers and hardship for the general public!
When one reflects on the missed opportunity which came about the 2016 change of government, one’s mind wonders in many directions. The enthusiasm and hope have been dashed by a toothless leadership whose only accomplishment has been allowing looters to go unpunished. The competition of who gets the highest numbers of buildings, cars or better life is worrying while the average Gambian continues to struggle.
The question is – is this torture on our citizenry premeditated by the Barrow led government? I would submit that while it’s hard to prove that, the reality is that whether at GPA, GRA, Gamtel, GAMCEL, NAWEC, GCAA or even the ministries – its daylight looting. We have seen situation of whistle blowers on a couple of occasions, but we are yet to see anyone prosecuted for corruption. The anti-corruption commission is as good as dead – transparency seems to be as good as non-existent.
As Micheal Godden said in his famous book – Man’s total action gives him his own definition – Mr President – your actions, utterances and cool looking defines you. Your actions have brough us to a point of slow death. It’s not surprising to see the surge in crimes, petty thieves and begging syndrome in this country. I can foresee that if change is not done and quickly, by end of 2026 – this country will be into fully blown crisis.
Have you ever thought of the following ?
1- How it feels for the state to mortgage our future?
2- How it feels for students to graduate yet cannot find jobs due to corruption and running down of our enterprises?
3- How it feels to renege on promises made?
I do know as he who feels it knows it with the help of our fearless leaders, we have managed to
1- Regain self-rule from the colonial masters
2- How to sleep with an empty stomach as the breadwinner doesn’t have a job
3- That one’s wife is on a gamble of life and death during child labour
4- That one’s salary is only half of one’s monthly needs and lives on overdraft
5- That one’s next-door neighbour is an economic junglers and living a dream live
6- That the thieves in suits are celebrated while the petty thieves are paraded on TV
7- That the basic amenities are lacking but the powers that one has excessed of it.
I can go on and on but what is the point? The point is we are with a leadership which doesn’t care about us as a people. The only time they care and has been seen this year is when our votes count for their continuity or lack of it in their flamboyant lifestyle at our expenses.
While we are in agony for the sad realities, is it enough reason to give up on this country of ours? The answers are definitely NO. We have played our part for this change and by no chance shall we take a step back to surrender our goals for this country. It is hard for everyone, but we are known for our resilience – when the going gets tough, the tough gets going; our country need us now more than ever. We shall stand for what we believe, and nothing will stop us – history and prosperity will judge our patriotism as Thomas A Edison quote ” our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time”. We owe this to our nation to do the right things – a responsibility we cannot shy away from.
This country will be ruined by not the speakers against oppression but the silent of the many and I have decided to speak up – would you listen and do the same? As we know, our commander in chief does not have the temperament, capacity and capability to run this country. He is far too emotional and lacks the basics for a better Gambia we want. Everything he touches turns a failure – from commissions of enquiries to OIC to bid for ECOWAS chair to vibrant economy – he is simply not apt. Lest I forget, its not that he doesn’t love the country – its simply as Barack says – he doesn’t get it!
December 4th, 2021 is the unique opportunity to right the wrongs of 2016. I am ready – are you?
Ebrima Nyang
(GDC Admin 1)