I
join the rest of the world in congratulating His Excellency Adama Barrow and
his team and I wish them tremendous success.
In
the same vein, I wish to share my thoughts regarding some matters of the moment.
The
Chief Justice
The
Chief Justice should be appointed immediately as the courts, especially
superior courts of record like the High Court and the Court of Appeal, are
almost at a standstill.
The
Judiciary is of course one of the most important organs of government and it
has to function properly so that the entire government structure could
flourish.
Presidential age limit
There
are constitutional provisions in existence limiting the age of the President as
well as the Vice President.
These
are bad laws but bad laws are still part of the laws of the land until they are
repealed. Necessary machinery should therefore be set in motion to repeal these
age limiting laws because they are irrelevant and out of touch with reality.
Time
and again, it has been proven that age is no barrier to competence. Examples
include world leaders like Ronald Reagan who became the President of the United
States of America at the age of 69 and turned out to be one of the most
celebrated Presidents in United States history. The incumbent President of that
great country, Donald J. Trump was elected last year at the age of 70 years.
Honourable
Winston Churchill was around 70 years when he became the post-war Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom and he was outstanding and legendary.
Nearer
home, Abdoulie Wadda of Senegal was over 70 years when he became President and
performed so creditably that he was elected for a second term
Her
Excellency the Vice President
The
appointment of Her Excellency the Vice President Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang
generated a lot of controversy concerning her age. Her Excellency is competent,
experienced and well educated and the controversy would not have arisen if
there was no age limiting law. The unnecessary and obsolete age barrier can be
removed by amending the Constitution.
It
has also been observed that she has not been sworn in, an omission apparently
caused by the political crisis prevailing at the time of her appointment. She
should take the oaths at the earliest opportunity.
Ministers
Other
members of the cabinet i.e. the recently appointed ministers are quite
competent in their respective areas. Criticisms arising from their appointment
should be noted and where necessary addressed.
Gambians
in diaspora
More
members of the diaspora should be appointed in the cabinet because they fought
tooth and nail and contributed financially and otherwise to the successful
change of government. The law preventing Gambian with dual citizenship from
holding public office should be repealed as a matter of urgency. The loyalty of
these people to the Gambian State is unquestionable. A Gambian is always a
Gambian irrespective of other nationality he holds. This was clearly
demonstrated by the concern shown by Gambians in diaspora during the political
crisis.
Mamma
Kandeh
Mamma
Kandeh should be offered a cabinet post in view of the crucial and strategic
role he played in the whole electoral process.
Much
of his votes were cast by former APRC supporters who switched to his party.
Although this was not the intended goal, the effect was that APRC lost
considerable votes.
Irrespective
of Mamma Kandeh’s political affiliation, he deserves to be honoured for his
positive attitude geared towards the common good of our dear nation. He
accepted defeat in good faith and asserted that the elections were free and
fair thereby helping to diffuse tension when the going was tough
Online
media
The
online radios and online media outfits should be commended for their noble role
in amplifying awareness concerning the political situation in The Gambia and
helping to make the Gambian political impasse an international issue. Online
media outfits like Freedom Newspaper, Fatu Network, Senefocus, Eye Africa, Essa
Boucarr Sey, Gambian Democratic Movement etc. deserve a pat on the back. Thank
God we have a President who is open to constructive criticism and genuine
advice and handles matters with maturity.
Pa
Nderry
The
critics of Pa Nderry alleging that he is tribalistic are mistaken. Pa Nderry is
ever known for criticizing any individual irrespective of tribe, religion,
social or political affiliation. People should remember the old days when many
are always eager to read the latest stories emanating from his investigative
journalism. This has inspired other able online media outfits to join the
struggle. This trend should continue unfettered as criticism brings out the
best in individuals and governments.
People
whose relatives have been criticized by the on-line press should realize that
those holding public office are in the public glare and are the objects of
scrutiny.
Coalition
members are mature, experienced politicians and they know that they are open to
constructive criticism.
I
too have been criticized many times by Pa Nderry and my relatives and friends
were very annoyed. But I took it all in good faith and told them that I am not
offended because the criticism will make me better person, a better lawyer and
make me watch my back. Therefore, I never reacted negatively to such
criticisms.
Source
of information
Members
of the public feeding the on-line media with information should always ensure
that such information is accurate and authentic. There are instances when
on-line media outfits have retracted their story or apologized where the
information is incorrect. Some people give information that is coloured by
hatred, jealously and ill motive. This is not helpful. Patriotic citizens
should give correct and accurate information to the on-line media and the
government to help us achieve true democracy and best governance.
Irrespective
of any political or other affiliation, we should, all live in peace, harmony
and unity and join hands to work towards the common good knowing fully well
that The Gambia belongs to all of us. Long live the Republic of The Gambia.
BADOU
S.M. CONTEH
