While we may never know how it all happened, there is little doubt that 
the incident was most unfortunate in The Gambia's history. Its 
dignifying for the President to accept his government's role in the 
matter. I hope all recognize the benefits of Truth and Reconciliation 
and start devising ways to extend the same to all domestic infractions.

The Gambian leadership must accept the wisdom in Ghana's decision to do 
away with the old ways. And go a step further and seek President Atta 
Mills help to discover the new ways. Since Ghana helped us find 
independence (First Republic) and write the constitution that 
established the Second Republic, they should be able to help us get to 
the next level.

Lets make lemonade out of this lemon.

Malanding Jaiteh



Courtesy of Daily Observer - 
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-will-not-allow-indifference-to-come-between-the-gambia-and-ghana


  ‘I will not allow indifference to come between The Gambia and Ghana’

<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-will-not-allow-indifference-to-come-between-the-gambia-and-ghana#map>Africa 
<http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia 
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news>


Thursday, July 09, 2009
Relations between the governments of The Gambia and Ghana took a rather 
renewed congenial status with a recent brotherly meeting between the 
leaders of the two countries, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr 
Yahya Jammeh and Professor John Atta Mills.

As broadcasted on GRTS last Monday, the two leaders met at the fringe of 
the recently concluded assembly of the heads of states and governments 
of the African Union, at the Libyan resort of Sirte. The meeting which 
ended with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the 
foreign ministers of the two countries, on 2nd July 2009, anticipates 
renewal and maintenance of a closer working relationship after a 
UN-ECOWAS joint investigation team cleared The Gambia of any involvement 
in the killing of eight Ghanaians, whose bodies were found in this 
country in 2005.

The Gambia’s Foreign Affairs minister, Dr Omar Touray, and Mohammad 
Mumini, Foreign Affairs minister of Ghana, in the presence of the 
Ghanaian-born ECOWAS Commission chairman, Dr Muhammed Ibn Chambas, and 
the deputy secretary general of the United Nations, signed the MoU on 
behalf of their respective countries.

In his statement shortly after the signing ceremony, the Gambian leader, 
Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, described the incident as the 
‘most unfortunate’ he had ever experienced in his fourteen years of 
leadership.

The Gambia and Ghana, President Jammeh stated, had enjoyed common 
objectives. He made reference to Ghana’s participation in The Gambia’s 
constitutional review during the transitional period. “This is the 
craziest accusation I have ever faced,” he said. According to the 
president, as a result of the incident, even when a dog disappears in 
The Gambia he was bound to be accused the following day. “I will not 
allow indifference to come between The Gambia and Ghana,” he stated. 
“The Gambia did not kill the over ten thousand foreigners living in the 
country, so why would we kill Ghanaians?” he asked.

The president then remarked: “I am grateful that the chapter is closed 
and we look forward to a positive attitude.” He thanked the United 
Nations, stating that it is only their investigations that bring out the 
truth. Ghanian president, Professor John Atta Mills, for his part, said 
“I am happy that we are beginning to see the light at the end of the 
tunnel. I am really relieved to see the MoU being signed, and indeed it 
is even relieving that the two countries have accepted to mend the 
broken fences.”

According to Professor Mills, from now on, Ghana will always continue to 
maintain her relationship with The Gambia. The report of the ECOWAS 
technical team, he said, is for the two countries to read and draw their 
conclusions. “I agree that the report has established the fact,” he stated.

The Ghanaian leader then assured his Gambian counterpart that his 
country will always endeavour to strengthen the bilateral friendship 
that binds the two brotherly countries. “Let’s move on, time is not on 
our side,” he urged. Soon after the signing ceremony, the two leaders 
had a symbolic hand shake and reassured each other of a sustainable 
friendly relation.
Author: *by Amadou Jallow*

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