PDOIS' Agenda for Democracy And Development
The Independent (Banjul)
September 10, 2001
Posted to the web September 10, 2001
Banjul, the Gambia
As the political campaign heats up, the People's Democratic Organisation for
Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) has joined the race by officially
launching what they call their Agenda for Democracy and Development at their
party's bureau in Churchill's town last Saturday 8th of September. The
Independent runs below the agenda in its entirety:
The way forward The twenty-first century is the era of democracy and
development of the people. Information is spreading to every hamlet. Human
beings are beginning to be conscious of their dignity and self worth. No
human being wants to be excluded or discriminated on the basis of class,
national origin gender, race, tribe or language grouping, ethnicity,
religion or philosophical position. The chains of marginalization, poverty,
ignorance and tyranny have become intolerable. Rulers have no place in
today's world. Only leaders who recognise and respect the authority of the
sovereign people can survive in the hearts by its leaders but is inherited
and owned by the people who have a duty to develop it for other generations
to inherit it. This is the basis of Agenda for Democracy and Development
(ADD). History demands that this becomes our vision and mission
The Vision To build in partnership a society where people take full
ownership of power and development and exert their power and creative
energies to ensure our collective liberty, dignity and prosperity
Our Mission Our mission is to ensure: (a) Each for the nation and the nation
for all (b) Empowerment of the people (c) The consolidation of a culture of
rights (d) That development is by the people and for the people (e) That
government is based on the people's consent and run in their interest (f)
Zero tolerance for discrimination on the basis of classes, tribe, gender,
religion and other forms of sectionalism (g) International respectability
through responsive, transparent, inexpensive, accountable, people-centred
and development-oriented government. (h) That the mouths of the free
associations of peoples shall be the eyes and ears of the listening and
sensitive government.
Programme on Justice and Human Rights Where rights are not respected and
safeguarded there can be no justice. Where there is no justice there can be
no peace and development. PDOIS shall separate the office of the Attorney
General from that of the Secretary of State for Justice. The Secretary of
State for Information and Justice will be appointed on the basis of
recommendations by human rights organisations and media practitioners shall
ensure that international conventions become part of our national laws; work
with human rights organisations and civil societies in general to ensure
education on and protection of human rights.
PDOIS stands for constitutional and legal reforms and establishment for
constitutional court declarations.
The Media Information is the key to freedom. It gives power to the people to
take ownership of their country and ensure its proper governance. One must
know before one can make informed choices.
The media shall promote civic education, expose maladministration,
corruption to ensure public accountability and governance in the people's
interest. It will access to all public servants and information that is in
the public interest. The media shall be self-regulatory in accordance with
laws that are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. PDOIS shall
only reform laws in consultation and agreement with media practitioners.
On Agriculture, Industry, Employment and Trade 2600 million is spent on
imports; 42% relating to food. Exports earn 239 million leaving a trade
deficit of 2400 million. Self-reliance in food production will earn Gambian
farmers over 1000 million dalasis a year. To ensure marketing of
agricultural produce PDOIS shall develop partnership with a genuine farmers
co-operative which will be assisted with funds to purchase agricultural
produce, provide storage facilities, market it and give farmers their
legitimate income. Public and private initiatives will be relied on to
engage in fishing, processing, construction and other services to generate
employment, boost up trade and development.
On Health and Environmental Sanitation We live in the environment and the
environment lives in us. Environmental sanitation leads to better health.
PDOIS will give priority to a healthy environment to conquer malaria and
other infections. People shall take ownership of their bodies. And learn how
to have the best state of physical and mental health through prevention.
Health facilities shall ensure easy access and quality in the delivery
services.
On Women, Children and Education Over 31% of the population are under 15.
Half the population are women. The survival and protection of women and
children are indispensable to the survival of any society. Being the most
disadvantaged, to address their problem is to save society generally. PDOIS
shall give cabinet posts to women in consultation with women's movements to
ensure participation. PDOIS shall ensure the promotion of education to
acquire knowledge, skills and values for living in partnership to promote
personal, social and community development and empowerment.
On The Debt Burden This year debt servicing amounts to 417 million dalasis,
which is more than the health, education and agriculture budget combined. In
1992 Gambia's debt was 390 million dollars or over 5000 million dalasis. By
1999 the debt had increased to 566 million or over 8000 million dalasis.
Over 80% of development budget depend on loans and grants. Government
depends on treasury bills and loans to finance projects. The government and
private sector employ 11% of the work force. The productive base needs to be
expanded to generate income for projects, services and reduce dependency.
PDOIS will maintain an efficient and inexpensive people-centred government
under which political office will earn equivalent income with doctors and
other technical personnel. This will earn the country solidarity with donors
and people to address debt.
On Local Government and Decentralisation Power belongs to the people at all
levels. Every village shall have a council elected by the people to consult
the people before the spending of their village income. The people's
priority will be taken into consideration in district, divisional and
national planning. This will ensure partnership with to bring about rural
development.
On International Relations The World Bank had contributions amounting to 11
billion dollars up to 1997 but earned over 285 billion from its investments.
African leaders like Abacha had stored an investment bank with billions
deposited by states to finance development projects. PDOIS shall seek to
establish a well managed democratic country that will earn the respect of
all countries in Africa and the world in general. It will seek partnership
with all agencies, countries and people on the basis of equality and mutual
interest. This will foster African unity and international relation based on
partnership for liberty and progress.
Down with the culture of silence, ignorance, poverty, sycophancy and
impunity. Your vote gives PDOIS the right and duty to speak on your behalf
nationally and internationally. Your vote empowers PDOIS to lead the country
or become a major opposition force, which can challenge whoever controls
power on your behalf. History calls for democracy and development. This is
the way forward. You can either be part of the problem or be part of the
solution. Make your choice.
Spread this message everywhere! Attend PDOIS' programmes. For more
information make PDOIS a powerful force through your support!
_________________________________________________________________
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