‘Let’s Prepare Our Kids To Associate’

ML Sillah was the former head of Amnesty International Gambia

Gambian Ethnologist has advised parents to inculcate the spirit of association among their children in the Diaspora. Ebrima Kamara, who is based in Stockholm, Sweden, is the guest of The Talking Point on Kairo Radio today.

The program coordinator, Mohamed Lamin Sillah, talked to Kamara on a wide range of issues.

Mr. Kamara said despite their busy and sometimes complicated work schedules, parents need to spare time for their children. He said children should be helped to understand why they need to belong to associations, develop social skills and understand their complex world.

Kamara wanted parents to take their children to the park, help them with their homework as well as tell them stories instead of leaving them confined in institutions they (parents) have not got clear understanding of.

Gambian ethnologist believed in the power of association which breeds empowerment and strength. He said the importance of associations cannot be underestimated but that successful associations require efforts, understanding and patience.

Kamara said differences in values is mostly responsible for the failure of our associations. This means inculcating values in children so they see the need to associate and give back to the country of their parents.

Mr. Kamara said the key to success lies in rallying around a national objective to succeed. He wanted Gambians to bury their differences, coexist and live in harmony.

Mr ML Sillah also spoke to Suntou Touray, Kairo News Political Editor on the infamous comment uttered by a Gambian opposition politician. Instead of launching arsenal on the Gambia’s common enemy – the man who is bent on destroying everything Gambian, including tribal cohesion – Henry Gomez badmouthed Mandinka ethnic group. Gomez, the leader of the Gambia Party for Democratic and Progress, said on a Freedom Radio show that ‘Sosseh du sossal ken‘ meaning “Mandinkas are greedy people.”
The duo also discussed issues on mass protest and how such occasions can arise and properly managed without incurring loss of life. 
Ends

5 Comments

  1. EB Janneh

    Mr Sillah that was a good program. I get emotional though when you and Suntou were discussing about Henry Gomez’s tribalistic remarks about Mankindas on Freedom Radio. Well done to all of you. Your level headedness and majority is above board. Huge respect for you lot. We missed you Mr Sillah.

  2. Lafia Touray la Manju

    Mandinkas wake-up!! There is a movement of haters against us. Chief among them is yahya jammeh.

  3. Luntango Suun Gann Gi

    “Lafia Manju Touray is a ‘Sosseh du sossal ken‘ dem!” says Luntango. How else could the Mandinkas have come down from Mali recently and dispossessed everyone of their land? They are even dispossessing us Fulas of our brides because of their wealth!

    OK, maybe in the circumstances a bad joke.

    Sillah’s programme.

    I am one of the “activists” of Black and African Supplementary Schools Movement here in UK – and still a teacher. It is indeed absolutely crucial that parents must put in as much time as possible when it comes to the education of their kids. I would sacrifice my own social life for my kids school work — and boy how well does it pay off! Of course, in Kotu too I ran a Study Club and many children benefited from it (just as many benefit from our Baraka Supplementary School here in London today). Put in the time parents, their education will be worth far more than money to them – and to your grand-children!

    • Lafia Touray la Manju

      You are ignorant of MANDINGO history and migration to Kambi-yaa. So you can continue to be the rascal you have always been.

      I MUST MAKE CLEAR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE READERS THAT NO SINGLE TRIBE OWN GAMBIA. IT BELONGS TO A GROUP OF DIVERSE PEOPLE collectively called Gambians. READERS SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT I AM A VERY PROUD MANDINGO, BORN AND BRED!!!

      Thanks

  4. Parenting indeed shapes the trajectory of adolescent life – for good or for worst.

    Luntango, well done for every effort in that direction.

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