Farage,
You mentioned:

Kenneth Y. Best, the Proprietor of the paper,who is a renowned
     journalist and for that matter encountering problems while in The
     GAmbia should be blamed for making this choice and not the new
     management who are right if they wish to sack all the efficient staffs
     of the Paper.

     Should Mr. Best, not have conducted an opinion poll on the sale before
     taking the decision? Did he forget that since he was away these staffs
     dedicated their lives in ensuring the existence and independence of
     the paper? Did he not foresee the consequences?


I think you are missing the point. You failed to realize that Kenneth Best was the sole proprietor (judging from the sale process) of the paper therefore he does not have to seek any ones' approval to sell it. In order words, it is his opinion that counts. Also, he is in business.....profits, profits, profits...does that mean anything to you?  
In present day business, big corporations are being engulfed by even bigger ones in thousands of mergers and takeovers happening in the world of business every single day. You may be right if you say that he has an ethical or moral obligation to his former employees, but again, depending on what the sale agreement entails, he may have only short term control over their destiny at the Observer. 
The employees on the other hand have a contractual obligation to do the job for which they were hired. If this involved risking their lives, it is their own prerogative.
How do you expect Mr. Best to foresee the consequences of the sale?  He can only account for what happened while he owned the paper not anything after he sells it!
I only hope that Mr. Best was not pressured into selling the paper, he has every right to sell his paper as a sole proprietor.

  
On the issue of progressive Gambians and intellectuals,it is high time
     for our intellectuals to prove their efficiency by contributing
     positively and progressively to emancipate the Gambians from
     selfishness and greed for wealth with their families.

Mr.. Farage, accept my sympathies......this is a problem that will always exist to tell you the fact. 
I know for a fact that, I like many in the Diaspora, will not burst my butt working odd jobs here in the US to pay for my education only to return home to be kicked around by some moron up there. I will first ensure that I atlas enjoy my hard earned qualifications with  relatively better incentives out here before I think about "sacrificing". I know I may sound "unpatriotic", but this is the fact. 
You may direct your query to those who have been sponsored by the state to pursue higher education abroad. They are the ones "obligated" to return right away.
Also given the current state of affairs, hmmm......
I will join you in encouraging every Gambian to atleast engage in some form of investment back home from which our own selves will be the benefactors.

Please don't get me wrong.

The truth will always prevail.

Abdoulie Jallow


    -----Original Message-----
    From: Haruna Farage <[log in to unmask]>
    To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
    Date: Thursday, June 24, 1999 4:24 AM
    Subject: THE FALL OF THE DAILY OBSERVER. WHO IS TO BLAME?
    
    
         Hello G-L,
    
         I have been following the issues sent to the G-L from various opinions
         and found others interesting and others unnecessary.This is so because
         some people are just writing for the shake of having access to a PC
         but without enlightening the rest on important issues.Much debate has
         been leveled on the sale of the Daily Observer and its associated
         effects on its editorial independence and also on the recent
         appointments and deployment of Ambassadors to foreign countries.These
         are the issues raised among others which spark debates,arguments and
         in some others abusive languages to a fellow brother.
    
         I sometimes wonder what image are these people portraying being
         countrymen?
    
         The sale of the Daily Observer to Amadou Samba, a Gambian is indeed a
         welcome idea but was the vendor taking into account the implications
         behind the sale?
    
         Kenneth Y. Best, the Proprietor of the paper,who is a renowned
         journalist and for that matter encountering problems while in The
         GAmbia should be blamed for making this choice and not the new
         management who are right if they wish to sack all the efficient staffs
         of the Paper.
    
         Should Mr. Best, not have conducted an opinion poll on the sale before
         taking the decision? Did he forget that since he was away these staffs
         dedicated their lives in ensuring the existence and independence of
         the paper? Did he not foresee the consequences?
    
         These and other issues are the gist of the matter but not to put the
         blame to the new management for whatever change they deem necessary.
    
         On the issue of progressive Gambians and intellectuals,it is high time
         for our intellectuals to prove their efficiency by contributing
         positively and progressively to emancipate the Gambians from
         selfishness and greed for wealth with their families. It is very sad
         that throughtout the whole period of my higher education in the
         Gambia,no Gambian intellectual taught me, it is thanks to the
         foreigners who are laying all the foundation. Why not progressive
         Gambians and intellectuals think of doing something productive for the
         Gambian population by either doing some projects back home that could
         contribute to the development of intellect. Can we not learn from
         Nigerian intellectuals fighting tooth and nail to ensure the survival
         of their nation in good or in bad times?
    
         We should try and use this opportunity to unify Gambians all over the
         world through this net rather than spreading hatred,insults and
         disunity in the eyes of the world. Let us educate one another on
         matters that are of interest to all and help those who are not in a
         position.
    
         Let us debate issues of national importance,then try to find out the
         problem and the solutions rather than entertaining abusive language
         for selfish interest or recognition.
    
         I wish to continue and elaborate more on this subject but due to lack
         of time I leave at this until next time.
    
         I hope I am not hurting anyone. Your comments are welcome.
    
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