Ms.Bojang-Sissoho:
Your posting raised so many important issues that kept me awake last
night, issues that will need to be addressed now and in a post-APRC
Gambia.  Many Gambians can no longer settle for "politics as usual," the
"old-boy network" or politics as it was traditionally conceived and
played out by a predominantly professional-male, and middle-class set of
politicians. We must never return to the "current" and past "concepts"
of politics and must reevaluate as a society our expectations regarding
women and those that are traditionally marginalized in The Gambia.

In this regard, I think a national Conference is necessary in a
post-Jammeh Gambia where all, including the military and especially
women, the poor etc. have a say in what kind of Gambia they wish to see
built.  In fact, I believe the first post-Jammeh regime ought to be a
union government of national assessment and reconciliation.  It is from
this that a national development policy should derive. The idea of
SERVICE to NATION will need to be revisited.  In addition to the issue
of the masses/gender, I believe the following must be addressed head on:

1. The Global-economy and how The Gambia can position itself to reap
benefits and minimize its adverse effects;

2. The Gambia's growing population, high fertility rates and rural-urban
migration;

3.  The Debt problem;

4.  Education and relevance; re-evaluation of some of our cherished
values regarding who we are and where we wish to go and be as a nation.

The list can go on.  But we have a lot of serious thinking to do before
we begin the process of reconstruction and your posting is a good start.

The notion that opposition politicians at home are competent enough to
usher in the desired changes and that Gambians in the diaspora need only
send resources in support of their activities, is a view I find
untenable.  We need a New political vision and a culture of debate, and
tolerance.  Thanks for bringing up this very important issue.

Abdoulaye



AMIE BOJANG-SISSOHO wrote:
>
> Manyima,
>
> Thanks for your compliment.  We all have the duty to contribute to the
> development of our country in different ways.  Those who have the
> opportunity should think of the less fortune, through no fault of theirs.
>
> Cheers,
> Amie.
>
> >From: manyima cham <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Part of the whole for social Justice
> >Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2001 02:47:30 -0800
> >
> >Amie Bojang Sissoho,you have hit the nail directly on
> >the head.
> >
> >that piece was superb.women should and must be given
> >the same opportunities.they shold be respected and not
> >abused by their counterparts for selfish means.we are
> >all one.Allah the Almighty created us equal.
> >
> >i read the L everyday but i never thought i would
> >write but Amie's words were really interesting.
> >
> >your contribution was very constructive.keep up the
> >good work.
> >
> >women are also part of the social justice.
> >
> >
> >
> >
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