There are mixed reactions and judgements vis-a-via Barrow’s so-called 100 days in office; however these judgments should be extended to cover us as Gambians at home and abroad. Thus, as many Gambian civil servants are envisaging changes in their living standards as a result of the regime change, the question that they should constantly raise is whether they notice any change in their behaviors and attitudes to reach this goal?
Barrow cannot effect the expected change if your informal behaviors and attitudes towards work and the public resources remain the same. Therefore, before you judge Barrow’s 100 days, judge yourself and the extent to which you have changed since Barrow’s ascendancy to power.
For those in diaspora, what did we do as individuals to help Barrow and his government towards effectuating changes apart from sending money to our families and engaging in nerve ended debates and arguments, which are not bad though.
Barrow cannot do it alone; it is a collective responsibility and it’s incumbent upon all patriotic Gambians. Given the state of our economy and inherent social and security problems in the country, everyone should forge a new personality to adjust attitudes and behaviors to the new Gambia.
Beyond the government efforts, it is also the responsibility of the individuals to combat corruption, nepotism and mismanagement of public funds. The expected change cannot see the light if you remain the same corrupt officer and civil servant receiving bribes, and cheating on citizens as well as pocketing public money for your personal interest.
Similarly, diaspora’s approach to helping loved once should change from providing safety net service in the form of cash handouts to address emerging needs to addressing the root cause of the socioeconomic economic problems. Building and enhancing the capabilities of our people through education and long-terms small-scale development projects and entrepreneurship will pave towards the self-sufficiency and reliance of our families. This will not only increase your income, but it will also create job opportunities for the youths. Additionally, village and regional based organizations in diaspora should scale up their efforts to provide basic social services and infrastructure to their respective villages and regions or districts. These will complement government efforts in the areas of health and education.
It is a high time for Gambians to change their economic attitudes in terms of income earning and spending to help Barrow to build The Gambia. This is a collective responsibility given the state of our economy.
Alieu SK Manjang
Ends
Absolutely right. Changing a government is NOT the solution. We must all change our attitudes towards socio-economic developments for the betterment of our country. Rampant corruption of state funds and selfish attitudes must be changed! Yes, we have a new government in place but we cannot just keep talking, talking and NOT start actively working towards changes we all so much aspire for in the country. President Barrow or his cabinet and/or the assembly members cannot do it alone. We must all change and change for the betterment of the country! Forward ever…backward never!
You laid it out well Mr. Manjang.
Why are Gambia and I left behind six and a half century? I’ve always asked myself.
Is it because;
1. we love to gossip about where our friends, neighbors and family relatives have failed but not to sincerely help them find solutions..
2. superstition is our ultimate answer to problems of our daily livelihoods..
3. we pay blinds eyes to who came first and who followed simply because we feel belittled by queues to jump them, using money..
4. majority of public servants don’t know how to put on a smile for the ordinary citizenry so a big ugly frown and a puffed up chest makes their day..
5. we haven’t realized the fact that it is not lack machines that our sidewalks are not paved but due to laziness and misappropriation of tax paid by citizens..
6. people in public offices are more of ceremonial than creative and practical..
7. our sense of pride are mostly demonstrated by arrogance and ignorance..
8. the rural and urban extended family traditions, beliefs, surrounding chaos and rivalries too be taking their tolls on a country and her human resources..
9. the lack of care for our physically and mentally disabled, the poor and the needy is a living curse on us..
10. illiteracy and unskillfulness are a cause of underdevelopment and a lack of enlightenment..