The Problem Defined! A Vision outlined! 

I must say as seen by The People’s Movement for Democratic Gambia (TPMDG). Our hope is a nationally problem analysis and stated vision would be much better and hence our continuous advocacy to make that a reality. 

Certainly leaving it at that wouldn’t mean much. It must be translated into actions. What do we do next? How do we proceed beyond determination of our problems and establishing views of where we would like to be (vision)?

We would need 2 others elements and am not sure at that stage the order matters much. These 2 are ‘A Vehicle/An Organization’ and ‘Programs/Activities’ that move us to achieving the goals of our vision.  Although it maybe reasonable to establish a vehicle/organization based on the vision and tasked that organization to develop appropriate programs. Equally the framers (general body) of the problem and vision can develop the programs/activities and assigned a group to implement it. The former approach would encourage better ownership and accountability. 

One may ask what kind of activities will achieve these goals/visions? Also some may wonder how can we ensure the attainment of such demands especially if you do not see the problems as systematic rather than simply Yahya? 

The whole concept is premised that democracy can’t be established and nurtured without capacitated citizens. Democracy is of and by people and government is only an overseer of democratic standards/principles. Here lie the bulk of our problems – many think democracy is about government while no/little recognition of the capacity/lifestyle of the people. We understood we have no direct route to build capacities; it will be expensive and time consuming.  None of these difficulties should stop us from trying and/or avoiding as if it didn’t existed. Therefore the first task of the organization is to educate self on how politics, traditions/culture, religions and economics interface in The Gambia. In addition they will be on top of geo-politics and quickly learn how that game is played bearing in mind interests of parties usually take precedence over principles and perception truly matter. Beyond that it’s all about selling/marketing ‘AN IDEA’.

The following will be prominent activities:

1.	Sell/market the demands of our Vision to the international community for 2 basic reasons – recognition and funding  
2.	Organize/mobilize politically engaged/non-engaged Gambia on sovereignty and democracy – not campaigning for one or another candidate. These efforts will be specifically directed to Gambians living outside of Gambia
3.	Going to Banjul – formally presenting the authorities in Banjul of our agenda based on the vision and how we intend to work we them to achieve those goals
4.	Going to the people/capacity building – sensitization, organization and mobilization our people on fundamental concepts of sovereignty and democracy
5.	Entrenchment – all things/efforts that ensure our gains are rooted as lifestyle rather an exercise of changing a government

The questions asked – what next? How do we proceed from here? 

Fairly easy!  The work already done (defined problem & outlined vision) gave us options. There are 2 primary steps needed to be completed. For all practical purposes these can be done simultaneously and/or one before the other. Either way shouldn’t make much of a difference because the purposes and goals have been set in stone.

The 2 steps:

1.	Creation of Appropriate Vehicle/Organization and the vehicle task to draw up the strategies and program plans of action
And/or

2.	The general body draw up plans of action and create a vehicle to implement it
Then

3.	Implementation, Periodic Assessments, Re-planning and Implementation

It doesn’t make much of practical difference but we prefer option 1.  Option 2 maybe cumbersome and drag the process longer than necessary with little/no added value. 

On the question of The Vehicle/Organization – We’d leave that for another day.  This is not because we don’t have my ideas on how such vehicle can be constituted. If and when we agree on a national definition and vision the picture of what kind of ‘National Face’ will be require will be apparent. At such point the debate/discussion on that subject will be easy.  The basic criterion of membership should be informed by our purpose and expertise required. 

How would that plan be taken to the corridors of power in Banjul and interface with authorities is the implementation phase which was step-wise spelt out in our “10-Phased Plan”. That proposed plan was published online and circulated – should you want to take a look simply drop me your email.

What exactly we will be doing everyday is an interesting topic. We’ve developed a 5-year Program Proposal plus an additional 5 year projection for The People’s Movement for Democratic Gambia named – “CIVIL SOCIETY LED/MANAGED INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE DECENTRALIZATION, PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES” 

This proposal has specific daily programs and costs of each activity estimated. The goals of each activity determined, the monitoring indicators determined, implementation timeframe for each activity forecasted and reporting guidelines drawn. The TPMDG is on hold for acquiring Tax Exempt Status as Non Profit Organization to submit that proposal to prospective donors. TPMDG will inform The Gambia if and when that status is granted. We shall also report periodically our activities, the cost, and program projections both to The Gambian public and as well our donor community.  

As the debate continuous on the search for answers – we’re prepared to engage anyone, anywhere and at anytime to share our positions both verbally and/or in writing. This posture is important as is rooted in our believe that whatever we do individually and/or in groups it will take the nation to fix our problems and not an individual/groups. 

Burama FL Jammeh
The Founder/General Secretary
The People's Movement For Democratic Gambia
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facebook.com/Burama.jammeh
twitter.com/bfljammeh
810 844 6040

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