By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Halifa Sallah, the leader of The People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has advocated for a shift in mindset to identify the kind of leadership essential for the nation.
“This is a party (PDOIS) tempered to protect the sovereignty of our motherland and as we move into a new period, a period where we are talking about system change is a new period. There is a need for a transition in mindset and openness in debate among us to look for the type of leadership we need to be able to move forward,” he said.
He cautioned Gambians to discern between leadership aimed at fostering a more equitable, just, and prosperous Gambia, and leadership driven solely by personal gain and ambition.
“It is important for all of you to bear in mind that there is a leadership with a mission and vision whose objective is to create a freer, fairer, and better Gambia, but you will also find political leadership imbued with the desire for position. Such leadership is only after that position, that place where they will be able to reap maximum benefit for themselves and not for people. So, each of us must ask ourselves the fundamental question, what type of leadership for a new Gambia? Is it a leadership with the self-perpetuating, self-seeking or leadership that is ready for self Abnegation in order to use our sovereign national wealth for its own general benefits,”
Sallah stressed that fostering a conducive mentality among citizens is paramount if Gambia is to thrive:
“We are concluding by emphasizing that if we want a new Gambia and that new Gambia to have a place in Africa and the world, we must ensure that we have the right mentality the right mindset that will enable us to live together as one people and to select our leaders on the basis of informed choice,” he said.
Hon. Halifa Sallah made these remarks during his Party’s press conference on Tuesday.