#Editorial

GOOD MORNING MR PRESIDENT: Let's embrace national dialogue

Feb 20, 2024, 10:29 AM

Mr President, we are contented with the recent move of having a national dialogue with opposition politicians and leaders.  It is a move in the right direction. So let's embrace national dialogue to foster unity and strengthen the peace and democracy of The Gambia.

Key issues like good governance, corruption, land grabbing, and security - which is now a big challenge - should be tackled.

Mr President, we can also aid security with more vehicles for security personnel, mobile phones and other equipment to curb the armed robbery. We should also reintroduce free toll numbers to help people to alert the police about crimes and other security issues to the state. It is important to ensure that the balance of their reparations owed to victims be paid as it’s something they were expecting since 2022.

Political leaders should show good example of respect and love for each other and desist from character assassination.

It is not in the interest of the country that our politicians engage in war of words.

Being opposition does not mean they are enemies but political opponents with different views to manage the country.

It is good to ensure that in such national dialogues, local languages are used in the forum because majority of people could not understand the English language.

Mr President, in a democratic society, you must have vibrant press supported by government  and both should have cordial working relations. As the Press and the opposition play their actual roles, the sitting government will not relax and will work harder to avoid criticism. We should respect each other and promote divergent views.

The state media should not be monopolised by the government of the day. It's only during election campaign that the opposition is heard for just three weeks which is not fair because we are tax payers.

Mr President, this recent national dialogue was essential for all political leaders as their attendance and speeches are done in the interest of the country.

A memorandum of understanding should be signed to avoid blatant accusations without proof, and insult, provocation and war of words should condemned.

Ideas should always build around burning issues of the country to come out with better solutions. Politicians should try to sell their manifestos and educate their supporters.

Political opponents and generally people should desist from using the social media to attack each other, and avoid fake news and character assassination. With national dialogues, we eliminate miscommunication.

Mr President, Government should work hard to let the nation have a new constitution, and to state and introduce the two-term limit in the constitution. It is essential to note that our sub-region is facing instability because of overstaying in power by leaders. The voting right of Gambians in the Diaspora and having a representative in parliament will be a welcome move.

Finally, Mr President, the government should improve the security of the country to prevent crimes and encourage investors. 

Good day!

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