In a message dated 11/8/99 2:36:19 PM Central Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: There goes Dr Ayitteh again, and this time he strikes at Halifa with condescending remarks. As Gambians we know Halifa far better than Ayitteh, and it`s time for us to do some talking. I share Ayitteh`s comments regarding the contribution of some African intellectuals in the mess ravaging the continent, but I`ll hasten to inform him that Halifa does not belong to that category. This is a man who is committed to the development of the lives of the Gambian people and the country as a whole, and he is at pains to realise this. What is so wrong and "absolete" about pointing out the evils of "western colonialism and imperialism"? Yes it is true that Halifa points out the problems these forces have created in the underdevelopment of the continent, but I cannot remember anywhere where he stated that they are to blame for everything. We all know that most of our post-independence leaders had messed up big time, and Halifa as far as I can remember has been eloquent in pointing out where these leaders went wrong.The average Gambian has experienced a life of total decadence and deprivation, lack of adequate educational and health facilities and a life of the ghettoes and slums. These are among other things which Halifa has been struggling to rectify, and he had always made his message across to The Gambian leaders. Sir Dawda knows about this. So , to categorize him as part of those who believe that African leaders can do no wrong is totally unfounded. I`m sure Halifa knows that Nyerere was not all perfect, but he should not be chastized for giving the man the credit he deserved in the manner of Dr Ayitteh. ********************Reply separator l have to say that as much as l have respect for Cherno Baba and his views, l share Omar's opinion on this issue. While l do not subscribe to the notion that colonialism is to blame for all our woes,l think that leaders like Nyerere who took over right after colonialism certainly had a tough job of trying to mold a nation where the blue prints left by the former colonialists were quite a challenge to undo.Of course, it goes without saying that we certainly could not depend on those same blue prints to forge governments suited to our needs. These guys had to start from scratch, not just to try to undo the damage colonialism did in Africa, but also to come up with alternative ways to govern..This was no easy task, and years later, we are still struggling with this same problem. l may be wrong, but l believe this was one of the points perhaps that Halifa was trying to make.l do not know Halifa Sallah personally, but from what l am able to grasp from his writings, l have an impression of a realistic, objective individual who has a deep love for his country and his people, great concern for their welfare and well being, and a dedication to forging a society where honesty, sincerity and total participation by all in determining our future would prevail, not a blind idolizer of anyone. If all our politicians start from that leg, we will get far indeed. l think that to label him a total hero worshipper who sees no wrong in the likes of Nyerere and Nkrumah is really to do injustice to him. Jabou Joh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------