Alieu
K. Jammeh, Minister of Youth and Sports, has challenged youths to think deeply
on how to move beyond our present situation as a country.
Minister
Jammeh was speaking recently during the three-day Youth Convergence held at the
Gambia Pastoral Institute on Kairaba Avenue.
Minister
Jammeh said that youths need to think deeply on how to move beyond our present
situation as a country, noting that currently we live in an era, which in his
honest opinion, has become the most defining moment capable of affecting the
future of the country in ways as never before.
“As a result, I dare say that there is likely
no event in the history of the country that is not dwarfed by how deeply our
collectively political culture could be shaped, for good or bad, by recent
developments.’’
Minister
Jammeh stated that any student of political science or a casual observer could
be filled with both excitement and anxiety, by living through such a period.
“As
a people, we can be excited by the possibilities that could be derived from the
fluidity of the moment to enrich our democratic values, and construct a
governance formula based on the consensus of both the governed and the
governors.
“That
is the thrilling bit and a nutrient for our minds prepared to shatter the
old-fashion mental constructs that continue to hold back our progress.
“These
artificial cleavages include allowing ourselves to be defined along ethno-linguistic
lines of behaviour. We have to transcend these characterisations, in order to
be able to fulfil our fullest potentials as a people.”
On
the other hand, he added, the anxiety would be in the missed opportunity to see
the positivities that such evolutionary trends in human relations avail them,
but rather allow the moment to consume them with fear of the unknown.
Whereas
fear, uncertainty and being fearful are some of the biggest impediments to
progress, tackling and conquering them are the only sure way to innovation and
celebrated ingenuity.
“The
state of flux that we are in right now has the potential to lead us into three
possible directions.
“One
of them could be to consolidate the familiar; and, the other one is propelled
by the desire to unleash energies in search of the unfamiliar; and, the third
behaviour could be a bumpy ride ending with an unimaginable anarchy.
“Right
now, we all have a choice to make on which direction to pursue and, beginning
with myself, my rational instinct encourages that we embark on the middle
ground to unfamiliarity.”
The
knowledge of the familiar, and who we are, becomes only useful when it is used
as building blocks to become what we aspire to be.
“To
that end, I implore on all of you to collectively pull your positive energies
together, and accommodate all progressive ideas to make our shared destiny
better for all of us, and for generations to come.
“Without
necessarily being judgemental, my assumption is that it is you, the young men
and women of our great country, who will need to shoulder the noble
responsibilities of building bridges across our artificial divisions, so that
the giant that we are can be awakened for our development.
“Any
temptation that could lead to violence and chaos in our discourse and/or
interactions should be avoided. No one wins in a violent political conflict.”
He went on: “In an event where differences
arise due to the simultaneous pursuit of incompatible goals, proven practise to
reach an amicable resolution that is sustainable is achieved through
negotiation and/or mediation.
“On
the other point for why we are gathered here, I encourage you to use the
meeting as a mini NAYCONF.
“Two
years ago, we held a National Youth Conference and Festival in Soma, Lower
River Region, and came up with a set of resolutions as conference outcomes,
which include involvement in the productive sectors of the economy;
participation in the political processes in the country, etc.”
He
said in breaking with tradition, because NAYCONF used to be held biennially,
“we thought there needs to be a period to review the implementation of
resolutions that come out of NAYCONF to ensure that your needs and aspirations
are actually been addressed.’’
Minister
Jammeh tasked the youths to make good use of this opportunity, to renew their
individual and collective resolve to safeguard the peace, tolerance and
tranquility of this country, whilst restating, one more time, “your demands
that your needs and aspirations are addressed in a timely manner.”
