The
new government under President Adama Barrow has just concluded a three-day
retreat in conjunction with the UN (5 to 7 April) in which many salient issues
were discussed.
Issues
discussed included challenges ranging from low performing public service, lack
of accountability, and lack of credible policy direction. And most of these are
blamed on the previous regime of Yahya Jammeh, which is understandable.
We
would like to first of all commend the Barrow administration for conducting
such a retreat, which critically looked at issues haunting his government and
generating lot of frustrations in the hearts and minds of the people.
The
people are impatient because they want to see good progress that will lead the
nation to meeting their aspirations. And if the government is not put on its
toes it might slip into something else that could be inimical to their
expectations and the development they so desire for the country.
We
very well know that the new administration did inherit many challenges which
could stand in the way of the government to deliver in good time. But we also
know that success comes from overcoming challenges. Therefore the Barrow
administration can only be said to be successful by overcoming challenges
confronting them.
It
is therefore incumbent on the Barrow government to overcome its challenges to
attain success, growth and development.
Rightly
so, the President has clearly stated that his government would do all it could
to remedy the situation of the country’s economy and general system.
“Accountability
will be a crucial start and a most important element is for the leadership to
be exemplary in the management of national resources,” the President said at
the retreat.
“As
such, we must demonstrate by our personal action a commitment to the highest
standard of integrity and personal positive reform for the public to follow.”
We
are therefore appealing to the powers that be to translate their words into
action, as there are many biting issues to be addressed.
“Actions
speak louder than words”
Brad
Pitt
