The award is a demonstration of your democratic leadership and growing peace trajectory in The Gambia.
Having won such an illustrious award, it is befitting that you continue to stretch a hand of peace and reconciliation to political opponents and critics by forgiving them any wrongdoing they might have caused, since even the teeth and tongue clash.
Mr President, part of this peace trend is to forgive critics like Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist who was charged on 9 November last year with seditious intention, false publication and broadcasting, and inciting to violence. It would signal veritable spirit of peace if you could pardon him and drop his charges, which can only add more accolade to you and power to your elbow.
Furthermore, you can as well open your doors to the media, especially to independent media institutions of the country. It is vital that you always have cordial relations with the media through dialogue and open-door policies that will help the media to meet their challenges as well as to contribute to national development.
The Gambia media is faced with several challenges which include difficulties in getting adverts from government institutions, subventions and land for offices, as well as access to information. Overcoming these challenges and cooperation from your government will enhance media participation in national development.
Mr President, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has been managing the revenue generation affairs of the country positively. For instance, last year under the leadership of Mr Yankuba Darboe, the GRA generated a huge sum of 15 billion Dalasis for the government, and this year they are poised to generate 19 billion Dalasis as challenged by the your Government.
Mr President, the GRA Commissioner General has made it clear in a recent press conference that taxes will not be increased unduly this year but are calling on taxpayers in the country such as individuals and companies to cooperate with GRA by paying their taxes fully and on time to enable government to meet its responsibilities of paying salaries, constructing good roads, and providing water and electricity, health facilities, education and security, to name a few. Government too should minimise expenditures on travels, fuel and luxury cars.
Finally Mr President, we are proud as a nation for our Scorpions and are looking up to a resounding victory today as our boys are playing this afternoon at 2pm with Senegal.
We hope and pray that The Gambia emerge victorious. And whatever the outcome, we are praying and appealing to all and sundry to maintain peace after the match as we are all kith and kin.
Mr President, beyond just entertainment, football is financially lucrative hence government support is highly needed, as well as the private sector, to promote football.
For this year’s AFCON, the winner among the 24 teams will take home US$7 million, the runner-up US$4 million, each of the two semifinalists US$2.5 million, and each of the quarter-finalists US$1.3 million.
Good day!