Ebrima, i like this one!
Thanks
PF MANNEH

>From: Ebrima Ceesay <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: My Thirteenth Message To Gambians!
>Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000 18:51:15 GMT
>
>My fellow Gambians,
>
>This is indeed a decisive period in Gambian Political history, and it
>requires decisive measures and actions from us all, if we want to carry the
>day and take The Gambia forwards into a bright future.
>
>Today, it is abundantly clear to all of us that the Gambia has no future
>with Jammeh at the helm: he continues to destroy our Nation, and the sad
>truth is that he will continue to do this as long as we allow him. Jammeh
>is
>a travesty of a leader, and he sets himself above every single one of us.
>
>It is therefore imperative that we Gambians turn this situation around.
>Indeed, the shaping of the future of our wonderful nation now lies fairly
>and squarely with us all as voters.
>
>We have now seen very clearly what happens when we allow our leadership to
>assume absolute power: mismanagement and failure follow closely on the
>people’s "laissez-faire" attitudes. The Gambia is therefore no different
>from so many other African countries, where the electorate has allowed poor
>quality leaders to assume absolute power, and bring absolute chaos in their
>wake.
>
>Now, in order to avoid a repetition of the past, we MUST make the RIGHT
>choices by electing to office, leaders who are capable of addressing their
>people's needs and aspirations.
>
>In most cases, our prospective leaders would make high-sounding promises
>which appeal to us, and we would vote them in willy-nilly and without
>question. They then do not deliver the goods they have so solemnly
>promised.
>Instead, they put themselves above the people who empowered them and we in
>turn, treat them as demi-gods.
>
>Consequently, if we really want success after Jammeh, then we have to put
>ourselves, the people, on a level footing with our elected leaders.  There
>has to be full and close partnership between the governed and the
>governors.
>As an electorate, we vote our leaders into office and as such, we do have
>an
>obligation to monitor, to review, to discuss and to evaluate the work of
>these elected leaders.
>
>From now on, we - the Gambian people - have to assume our share of the
>administration of the country. We have to become deeply and commitedly
>interested in the running of  our country, and our aim should be the
>building of a nation which is prosperous, forward looking and responsible,
>and which offers dignity, respect and socio/economic well-being for all its
>citizens. To achieve these goals, it is vital for us to work in tandem
>together.
>
>My fellow Gambians, this new century is crucial: Africa and Africans need
>to
>be proving to the world that they can effectively manage their own
>countries
>to best effect. We HAVE to prove to the world that we are up to the job,
>that we can do it.
>
>And in order to get on the right track, we have to ensure that the leaders
>we put in place are the right ones: those who will ensure that our short,
>medium and long-term goals are achievable and realistic: those who will
>look
>after us, and the nation.
>
>As a nation, we have to take full charge of our destiny. The blame for
>failure lies as much with us all, as it does with our poor quality leaders.
>We have to recognise and understand that this is not "play-time": our very
>lives are at stake as well as that of our children and grandchildren in the
>future. The latter have every right to expect that we have given our best
>efforts to securing their future: they need our assurances that we have
>left
>not one stone unturned in our efforts to take our country forwards.
>
>We know now that the leadership we "elected" in September 1996 (and which
>illegally seized power in 1994) is chronically and acutely awful. We
>allowed
>the worst possible applicant for the job to assume power, and we have
>continued to allow him to do his worst for our nation.
>
>My fellow Gambians, this has to stop forthwith: if we are public-spirited
>and have the best interests of The Gambia at heart, then we have to unseat
>Jammeh at the next elections.
>
>We have to turn ourselves around, and become critically and selectively
>analytical in our choice of leadership and government. We have to train
>ourselves to be discriminating; we have to become monitors and evaluators
>who are constantly overseeing the actions of our government.  We have to
>lose our fear of offending our leaders, and become honest and open in our
>judgements.
>
>Africa has always had leadership crises because of our lack of selective
>analysis: we allow ourselves to be led without question, without comment,
>and without criticism. In other words, we get what we deserve.
>
>The Gambian people have to follow the example of the Senegalese voters, and
>show the way forward for the rest of the continent: we have to demonstrate
>that we can distinguish between sincere and insincere leaders: that we can
>learn from the lessons of the past to ensure a better future for ourselves
>and our country. It is so easy to blame false leaders whilst at the same
>time denying one’s own role. We have to be asking ourselves, "Where have we
>gone wrong ?", "What can we do about it ?".
>
>It is therefore crucial for all of us that we are sure of the person we
>next
>empower as a leader of our country; we have to know that we are making a
>sound and well-judged investment in the future. Sweet-talkers are two a
>penny: we have to learn to become attentive and critical judges of those
>who
>try to sweet-talk us. It is certain that no-one is perfect.
>
>But we have to use our brains and hearts to make the best possible choice,
>and the choice has to be based on full information. A large part of the
>leadership crisis we are witnessing today, stems from ourselves, the
>people.
>No-one else is to blame, except us.
>
>In The Gambia, the last six years have taken us on a backward journey:  it
>has been a sad time for all of us. However, in this new millennium, we CAN
>turn things around: we can start to repair the damage suffered by our
>country both by electing the right people for the jobs of leadership AND by
>changing our attitudes.
>
>We have to learn to be openly critical, but constructively so. We have to
>assume our equal role in governing our nation. We as a people have an
>integral part/role to play in Gambia's future: a future in which the people
>and government work hand-in-glove together for the betterment of our nation
>and our own conditions.
>
>And we really do have to take time to consider all the options open to us
>before we make our voting decisions: we have to demand full and frank
>discussion of the issues with all parties during the election process, so
>that we can be best informed. We have to bid farewell to the politics of
>personality, and welcome sound, political judgements based on what we know
>rather than on what we assume we know. The time has come for us to be sober
>in our reflections: to be attentive and careful listeners: to be
>politically
>discriminating.
>
>In this new Century, Gambians should be looking to become partners in
>administration and government, rather than remaining as servants of both.
>We
>have to assume control of our destiny in order to achieve dignity and
>prosperity.
>
>It comes down to us making choices: making the right choices based on full
>information AND on having a good and representative list of choices from
>which we may choose the best in our view.
>
>As a people, we have to try and build a society which is led by people who
>have us, the people, and our country, as paramount. The aspirations of the
>people are central.
>
>The task is not going to be easy: let us not fool ourselves about that.
>But, if we set our heart on change for the better, then we can change
>things. There is no guarantee of "heaven on earth" for all, but we can be
>looking to guaranteeing the basics of a full and prosperous life for the
>majority.
>
>This is a serious time for us all: the elections are just around the
>corner.
>We have to take things beyond talk only: we cannot allow Jammeh to reassume
>power without challenging him root and branch. The ballot box is ours, and
>we have to exercise our electoral power effectively and sensibly.
>
>
>Following on from my last two messages, I now need to touch briefly on
>other
>issues and challenges which will face our next government and its leader.
>
>
>1. Corruption
>
>
>Both from the bottom up, and from the top down, corruption and corrupt
>practices are eating away at our country’s integrity. The damage caused by
>corruption is irreparable, and it impacts powerfully on the economic life
>and stability of the nation.
>
>It is therefore going to be absolutely crucial for our next leader and
>his/her government to have stringent anti-corruption measures and
>strategies
>in place.
>
>Again, it is largely a question of changing public attitudes. All of us,
>like Caesar’s wife, have to be "above reproach". We cannot criticise those
>in power of corruption, if we are in any way benefiting from corruption
>ourselves, or acquiescing to it. We need to be identifying those areas of
>life where corruption is rampant, investigating these fully, and reporting
>instances to the proper authorities for action.  In turn, the authorities
>need to be seen to be taking action to rid our nation of this "unseen"
>menace.
>
>It is vital that we institute mechanisms whereby people may report genuine
>cases of  corruption with impunity. At the same time, we need to be looking
>at ourselves: at our own actions and responses. We should be asking
>ourselves whether we are contributing to this national scandal, actively or
>indirectly. If we answer "yes", or "maybe", then we have to change our own
>attitudes before we can possibly expect change on a national level.
>
>It will be vital for the next government to ensure that civil servants
>receive a decent salary: one which enables them to live comfortably,
>without
>needing to supplement income with illegal practices. If our police,
>immigration officials, customs officers, post office workers etc. are being
>paid a decent wage, then we have more hope of expecting a decent and
>corruption-free service from them.
>
>We shall never be able to eradicate the issue of corruption totally: it is
>a
>sad part of human nature. What we can do is set in place measures which
>will
>reduce corruption to a more acceptable level in all spheres of life.
>
>Let us make the media our watchdogs, and let us have the expectation that
>our leaders will be our exemplars. Let them live their lives commensurate
>with their legal earnings, and let them set the tone for the rest of the
>nation.
>
>
>
>2. Employment
>
>
>In an earlier posting, I spoke of the importance of promoting a vibrant and
>expanding economy. Employment issues are central to this debate, and the
>next leader will have a huge task on his/her hands firstly to tackle the
>high level of unemployment in The Gambia today, secondly to promote
>economic
>growth which will create new jobs and thirdly to look to improving
>employment law throughout the country.
>
>Without a sound economy and guaranteed investment levels in business and
>commerce, the pattern of unemployment throughout the country will remain
>unchanged. Our new leaders will need to be actively searching for fresh
>investment in existing industries, for investment in new industries and for
>innovative ideas for national economic growth and diversification.
>
>Although we are a small nation, we have a lot to offer on the African and
>the world stage: our people are endlessly resourceful and full of good
>intent. We can ensure that new as well as existing industries in The Gambia
>will be staffed by  hardworking, dedicated and forward-looking employees.
>As
>well as offering every possible inducement to Gambian entrepreneurs and
>business people, our government will also need to be trawling for investors
>in the wider international community.
>
>It is vital that we refresh and add to our industrial base: that we look
>for
>ways in which we may best utilise our home-produced resources for both home
>consumption and for export. With the right attitudes, there is nothing that
>we cannot achieve.
>
>As a corollary to economic diversification and growth, the new government
>will also need to take a close look at employment law. For too long, our
>Gambian workers have not enjoyed employment rights of any sort except
>within
>the Civil Service. The rights of Gambians to be protected by the law in
>their employment, have to be guaranteed and we need to be looking for ways
>in which we might best and most speedily achieve this aim. Our new leaders
>will need to be seeking advice from the Trade Union movement across the
>world, in order to ensure that the best systems are put in place for
>workers
>in The Gambia.
>
>
>
>3. Being a good Gambian citizen
>
>
>It is an easy thing to describe oneself as a Gambian citizen: it requires
>no
>effort other than the speaking of the words. However, to be a good citizen
>requires a whole lot more than words. It requires an attitude of mind, a
>dedication to the common good, an  acceptance of personal responsibility, a
>social perspective, a political will and a genuine desire to do the best
>for
>one’s country and for one’s fellows.
>
>For too long, we have been encumbered by a system which encourages people
>to
>think of themselves only: to look for the betterment of one’s own family;
>to
>ignore wider issues of cooperation and "commonwealth".
>
>One of our chief priorities will be to change these entrenched attitudes:
>to
>empower people to think both creatively and socially: to have a genuine
>regard for each other, and to respect each other in the fullest sense of
>the
>word.
>
>The changes will start at the top: our next leader will need to be setting
>the example for us all. However, in turn, we shall need to be playing our
>part in turning things around. Parents and teachers will have a vital role
>to play in ensuring that the Gambians of the future have the background
>knowledge and understanding to become citizens in the full sense of the
>word.
>
>Politcally, if we are to make progress as a fully democratic nation,  our
>children (and we, ourselves) need thorough grounding in how best to do
>this.
>Our attitudes and beliefs have to be changed so as to accommodate the new
>thinking which will take our country forwards.
>
>
>The message is therefore clear: Gambians have to take control over their
>future: we know now what poverty and repression smell and taste like. We
>have the experience of six years to guide us. We really do now know what we
>do NOT want for our country and ourselves.
>
>If we were to allow a similar regime to assume power, then we should only
>have ourselves to blame. We know from first-hand, direct experience what
>the
>power of fire is, and if we then go on to deliberately touch fire again and
>get burned, who do we blame except ourselves ?
>
>We have to work together to lay the foundations for a decent society which
>can guarantee liberty, progress, respect and dignity for all the people.
>
>The choice is ours: let us not just get rid of Yahya Jammeh, let us also
>put
>in place a government which is truly and genuinely concerned to do the best
>for all its citizens: a government which working alongside the people will
>put in place a development paradigm which will afford all the people the
>basics and necessities of life. Gambians have the right to expect this as a
>minimum from the country’s next government.
>
>Ebrima Ceesay
>Birmingham, UK.
>
>
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