Modou Lamin Sima also reminded the Diaspora community about the enormous potentials The Gambia has to offer, saying with their vast expertise in various fields, the Diaspora community has a crucial role to play in the country’s development process.
Ambassador Sima was speaking at a recent interactive forum dubbed ‘Unity in the Community’ held at Seaview Hotel.
The event was convened by the Council of African Descendants (COAD) in collaboration with Bla-Xit, a youtube channel with almost 3 million views.
It was designed for Diaspora community to discuss with authorities issues relating to citizenship, inclusion, equal rights, inward investment and business development opportunities in The Gambia.
Alieu Faye, alkalo of Busura Village called on Gambians to open up to Diaspora community in their quest to invest and contribute to the development of The Gambia.
Faye made reference to Ghana, who approved instant citizenship to African Diaspora who went to settle in the West African nation.
“So why not us in The Gambia, because the fifteen years wait for Africans in the Diaspora to get citizenship is too long”
Nyancho Kujabie, CEO and founder of Bla-Xit and secretary of Council of African Descendants (COAD), reiterated the need for more integration for the Diaspora community in The Gambia.
She indicated that to wait for15 years to be able to apply for citizenship in the country is too long, saying they don’t want to be invisible minority in The Gambia.
“We are law abiding and we feel that we are being ignored in the country.”
Nyancho Kujabie, as she is widely referred to even suggested that authorities identity a day in a year to celebrate and honour their ancestors like Kunta Kinteh day in The Gambia.
“We need to connect to our culture. We feel that we’ve being robbed of our culture, language and don’t want to be seen as outsiders again.”
She affirmed that they want to be recognised as Gambians, reminding that citizenship is not only about having passports.
“It is about financial security and inclusion. Citizenship is crucial and cannot be scrap under the carpet anymore.”
Dr Pery Stanislass, guest speaker spoke on the importance of security safety in the development of any nation.
He indicated that everybody should belong to an organisation and called on members of the Diaspora to belong to organisation.
While urging the Diaspora community in the country to remain steadfast, Dr. Stanislass reminded that developing countries have highest fatality due to poor road infrastructures and poor policies.
Other speakers included Lamin Njie, public relations officer of The Gambia Police Force among others.
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