I learnt with dismay that members of the Gambia Democratic Congress
(GDC) have being arrested upon the recent concluded Councillorship election. Based
on the reasons yet to be validated. GDC
being a major political party in the new Gambia should be treated with care and
professionalism in a way that will maintain peace and order. It is in that note
I write to strongly condemn the arrest and subsequent charging of GDC members, particularly
the newly elected Councillor, Mr. Ebrima Manneh of Julangel Ward, the National
Assembly Member for Jimara constituency Hon. Alhagie Sowe and co.
The last time I checked the State have pressings issues and work to
execute such as the rapid increasing rate of theft, robbery and rape which are
on top of mountain Kilimanjaro. The rate at which this crimes are increasing is
quite alarming. Theft, murder and rape seem to have become the order of the day.
There appears to be no interval. What is more shocking is the fact that these
crimes are being committed in broad daylights, particularly robbery as the Brikam
Jah Oil incident is a clear testimony.
Crimes against women and children have increased various during the
recent past. This alarming rate of increase in crimes is a cause of concern for
all right thinking citizens in the country. How do you do the above requirement
when lawlessness, murdering and especially armed robbery, are on the amplification?
If one is not safe inside and outside of their home due to the fear
of being rape, murdered and robbed, how will they have confidence in the
President and his administration for doing a brilliant job? Is it not a popular
saying among some Gambians that if you are hungry, starving but feel safe and
are peaceful, you are much happier?
Furthermore education is widely regarded as essential to economic
growth, national development and overall prosperity. In The Gambia, education
is valued very highly and theoretically given a high priority. Strangely
enough, however, the teachers responsible for educating Gambia’s youth are not
valued that extremely as expected compared to other jobs. Considering the rapid
increase of goods and services, you would think that teachers would be among
the highest paid professionals. Yet teachers are compensated unreasonably to
their advanced education levels and are disrespected by many people.
The Gambia has a big youthful population, majority of whom are
poor, uneducated and are unemployed. Most of these youth have resorted to drug
abuse causing high prevalence rate of mental illnesses. The female youth resort
to prostitution as a quick way of earning money for a leaving.
The Gambia health sector is in the verge of sinking like the
Titanic as a result of inadequate medical facilities and human resources. Of
recent I well-read that the Doctors were on a sit-down strike as per the
allegation of theft made by the minister of health.
It is one year now the Barrow led administration is yet to
demonstrate any leadership or clear direction.
This is believed to be an oversight by the presiding President and his
advisers, due to a lack of familiarity and understanding of the existing 1997 constitution. To my knowledge the ministerial position for
defense also remains unfilled and has therefore been attached to the office of
the President? Is it to be assumed therefore
that Barrow occupies the roles of President; Commander in Chief and defense
minister at the same time? To date there is lack of clarity over this
situation.
Corruption in this country is experienced in many sectors. In
politics, corruption is heavily floating like a canoe from Banjul to Barra. In
fact, the less connected citizens of The Gambia are the one that suffers as
wealth which is to be evenly distributed are being utilized by the top
politicians alone. Transparency International have not failed in giving updates
on the nations that have stained their hands by indulging in massive corrupt
practices. According to the organization, corruption still remains rampant in
public sector. Currently, we can concretely say that corruption in The Gambia
is not just a mere perception but inherently pervasive in the country as evidenced
by the recent scandal exposed by the IMF and the World Bank.
Both the University of The Gambia and The Gambia College does not
have learning materials, most of those books in the main libraries are outdated
decades ago. However, if we want to have better educational system where
students learn to develop themselves and strive hard to learn the values of
life, we must focus our energy and resources on where it all begins.
The citizen’s right have being violated as per the inadequate
electricity and water supply which are very keen in this 21st
Century of globalization. This as a result have led to the closure of many cottage
industries in The Gambia.
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political
Activist
prof.jarjou@gmail.com
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