The belief in The Gambia is that if you are in government, department, agency or institution, you must make money like Bill Gates of Microsoft. If you don’t use your position to amass wealth, your friends and family members think of you as a fool or worse being to live on the state of nature. They never cease to remind you of this or that fellow who got a big job like yours, and already has two or three Mansions with luxury cars.
Transparency International have not failed in giving updates on the nations that have stained their hands by indulging in massive corrupt practices. Corruption is increasing to such a level that the poor Gambia has been marked 130 as per the corruption index in the world. Since 1965 after independence there has been outright and open corruption by both Governments who have been placed to manage the affairs and develop this country economically, educationally, politically and otherwise in making our country great.
We have seen the privilege given to some individuals to manage the affairs of this poor country being distorted, abused and dynasties created, some have enriched themselves and their cronies and in turn the very people who have elected them to serve have been abandoned and the country is saddled with enormous debts which our children and grandchildren will have to repay.
The last time I checked the University of The Gambia and other tertiary institution graduates with the right qualification deserving jobs but not getting them due to nepotism and discrimination being displayed. We must rapidly come up with solutions to our problems such as unemployment, poverty and debt recovery.
Meanwhile, we must stop government officials in their destiny to becoming rich through state coffers. We need to carefully seek to place right individuals with the right mind set and qualifications to run The Gambia in the direction that is beneficial to the greater population rather than focusing on personal gains.
Furthermore, I want to see The Gambia flourish and not weaken with corrupt politicians becoming heads of state, I want to see our debts reduce and continue to reduce until we are in good standing as per the international standards, I want to see our justice system be fair to all, but for this to happen we must first put without a doubt in our minds the right persons in place to run our country and not running it down the drain beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
I want to see individuals with the right mind set who are willing and able to get the job done exactly how it should be done without fear or favour. I have seen well mannered, educated, and humble individuals turn to quite the opposite as soon as they enter into politics or enter into government. This is what our country has become, normal individuals in suits and ties who seemingly are above the law and above the people of this country.
I tender this to draw attention to several facts that demand immediate attention, and do not require legislative action or other time-consuming procedures. In my humble opinion, it will not require any special effort in order to transcend this shameful worship of ideas which breeds ignorance, and halt corruption in the true sense of our society.
A Luta Continua!
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political Activist
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