Gambia –Lers,

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year since this is my first contribution this year. I have been following all the debates and things are not getting any better in terms of substance and facts.

If I am right, the main purpose of the Gambia-L is to discuss all issues concerning The Gambia with the ultimate aim of making The Gambia a better place for all. In light of this, all views should be heard and all issues debated based on substance, merits and demerits.

Let us debate the issues, policies, facts etc. Let us come up with a list of topics to debate on and debate them objectively. We could come up with a mechanism whereby we would debate an issue or sets of issues for a given time period and then move on to the next. However, we could always come back to re-visit issues that were already discussed. Such a mechanism should not be rigid, but should be flexible enough to allow things that are not listed to be discussed.

I believe both the Anti-Jammeh and the Pro-Jammeh camps want The Gambia to be a place where they could raise their kids peacefully and in harmony with their neighbours.

We can start the debate with any topic, but let us stick with the facts. There are more than 600 members on the list (I stand to be corrected) however there are some, who want to contribute, but they are afraid of being insulted or branded something they are not. For some of us who have been on the list from the beginning (I joined he list few months after it was created) would notice that there are some members who no longer contribute and are just watching. This is should not be the case.

I am supporter of President Jammeh and I joined his camp voluntarily. Most of us have our own reasons why we are Anti or Pro-Jammeh and despite our differences, we should be able to have civil and mature discussions.

The list managers need to be commended for they have been doing a good job. Let all views be heard.

PEACE

TOMBONG SAIDY