Gambians in Sweden Urged to Connect With Homeland

The Independent (Banjul)
NEWS
September 20, 2002
Posted to the web September 20, 2002

By Pk Jarju
Banjul

The Minority Leader and Member of Serekunda Central Halifa Sallah returned
from Sweden urging Gambians there to maintain links with their motherland.
Honourable Sallah was invited there by the Organization of Gambians, an the
Gambia Cell, an organization sponsoring the construction of a maternity ward
of the Sukuta Health Centre.

Speaking at a press briefing shortly after his return Hon Sallah who
described his visit as fruitful stated that it has given him the opportunity
to attend rallies and to address a symposium organized by the Gambian
Community in which he discussed issues regarding elections that were taking
place in Sweden at the time and the current Gambian situation. He added that
during the symposium, emphasis were laid that irrespective of the fact that
they are away from their country Gambians in the Diaspora should consider
themselves as true citizens of the country and must involve themselves in
her socio- economic development.

He added that they also discussed their rights as Gambians, which includes
the right to take part in the national political process.

Honourable Sallah explained that he has discussed with the Gambian community
that they cannot cut off their link from their origin and must realise that
the country although miles away, belongs to all Gambians within and without.
He admonished that if they fail to contribute in the development of the
country they would in contribute to sustaining their impoverished families
here. He noted that he has also expressed the need for them to collaborate
and form organizations which would facilitate development initiatives for
the country as well as a solidarity and re-orientation which he said would
also enable them to educate Swedes with Gambian origin who could be
prominent people in the association.

He added that as he was given a free hand to attend any gathering, he had
seized the opportunity to meet with religious leaders, members of
parliament, mayors and other senior Swedish officials with whom many
important issues were discussed as power does not only belong to political
representatives but social organizations. He added that one of the mayors
had after their discussions expressed willingness and the desire to finance
the Adult Literacy Programs he initiated for the villages of Sanyang,
Gunjur, and Wuli among other projects in the country. He noted that as the
minority leader he has also developed a close link between the National
Assembly and the Swedish Parliament, which can be promoted at mutual levels.

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