Here I am speaking to Gambians and doing so loud and clear. I am concerned thus that concern urges me to urgently speak to Gambians yearning for a meaningful change, Gambians who are yet to decide which party or candidate to vote for, Gambians fixated on partisan or ethnocentric feelings to desist and rethink. For us to set aside what is subjective in of all us as citizens. History is a witness where national duty and national interest are urging us to work hard to reset the button of participatory democracy in 2026 as it pleases Allah. We as Gambians feel it and know it therefore my speech is a reminder not a lesson. We all know that the current status quo is nothing to be proud of home and abroad. Our nation has been weeping since independence which we all feel and know. Our economy is gradually collapsing with a currency closer to the Sierra Leonean currency back in 1999! Our dalasi is more of a decorated paper with symbols than a currency needed in the transactional sphere of b2b. It has been naturally devalued at lumo-market and borders yet we hear defensive positions from the executive using statistics that are "doctored and tailored" by so called economists. let us warn the establishment that no one can counter balance economic intelligence with propaganda sound bites or press releases meant to "romanticise business transactions" within the arena of global trade.
Alongside, our security feeds more on lapses here and failures there than being a shield or a dependable mechanism set in motion to combat crime or repel both internal and external threats.
Our agriculture has been transformed into a nightmare for every Gambian farmer and women gardeners, to a point where they can neither sell nor store their products be they perishable or not. Most Gambian farmers have lost hope and may not even grow our so called cash crop this coming rain season. Our health sector is a structure where clinics and health centers are closer to being mortuaries than a place treatment and cure could be expected. Our ministries of education are more or less printing machines of certificates and results where the holders are hanging on lost illusions.
At this juncture let me make one thing categorically clear. That is, I “am not hungry to be a President but I am Concerned to be President”.
Concern and deliverables of the basic needs to the average Gambian home and abroad are more tangible than yearning to lead an entire nation only to strengthen statements like: "If you want to be rich join politics" latter is the beginning of corruption and failure in leadership. My team and I do not belong to those who want to transform politics into a business venture where accountability is left to rot in files and cupboards.
The Constitution of the republic of The Gambia is another matter of concern.
When we assume office, be rest assured that 2 term limits for any incumbent will definitely be the pivot of the globe of governance. Therefore when elected I will not serve more one term or at best two terms and I take Allah as my witness on this vow. It is healthier and more reassuring where deliverables are to be measured by progress, competence and accountability but not votes. Mark you endless cycles of elections without term limits is a fertile ground for breeding "democratic despots".
Worst of all a constitution that makes it easy for leaders who are more of a liability to national interest to remain on the seat of power as symbols not doers.
-The security of The Gambia both internal and external will be reoriented to restore pride and motivation in the hearts and minds of our men and women in uniform among other virtues and qualities that have so far evaporated. I was in uniform and I am still connected to the profession remotely or closely so I know what it takes. No foreign security lodged near or within our GAF, GPF, Intelligence and Drug law enforcement will be lifted above our own both morally and professionally once we are elected. We will rely entirely on our sons and daughters which is the right thing to do. We will transform our security apparatus to that one of envy both locally and globally.
The Sons and daughters of this nation will protect us all and we are convinced they can do so against all odds.
Let me say this to our Farmers and Producers. Your involvement between time and productivity will certainly remain the compass of our machine of production all year round. Our nation needs your character and for sure we will get the finance and expert transfer of knowledge on the very first day in office ready. Be rest assured as we speak we are seeding and weeding in the global field of networking to make sure agriculture will fill our bellies and our pockets all year round.
To our women we have something totally different for you. Ours is not from the talkshop, it is from the workshop. Where one is to revisit the past as far as what the current establishment owes our women and or young ladies, nothing else comes forward other than hardship! It’s a shame! Women empowerment slogans are all over the place yet there is no help for the hard working womenfolk to sell even their perishable produce on a daily basis not to talk about storage facilities. Women! You are the first line of economic freedom fighters 365 days! Which is a universal fact?
Women are not to be used to wear ashobis, carry huge cooking pots and other utensils during campaigns. Women are the insurance and assurance of any serious nation to rise and shine.
Youths please no entitlements, what we need is your undivided attention because it has been your time since the last 30 years.
No excuses because your determination not your emotions will allow your instincts to lead us to prosperity.
Financing your dreams and giving school dropouts the necessary skills for the global market and economy is what should guide you through the horizon of a world view.
We need you to show up on any occasion. Show up neither to cheer nor to jeer show up to serve as leaders in the making! Your leadership skills must be felt from being great in sports like Biri Biri, Bai Malleh and today Minteh to being great surgeons like the late Dr Samba, Dr Kuramg or lawyers like the late Fafa Edrissa Mbai, Islamic Scholars like late Uztaab Hatab Bojang or successful business like Alhaji Basirou Jawara, Sankung Sillah, Solo Darboe, Alhaji Ebou. Ceesay Naimina Enterprise amomg others.
Gambia! Our economy is weeping and bleeding which we all feel and know. A bad economy, finance and inflation almost feel like a heart attack for the any serious country. Yet here we are as a country that used to support the livelihoods of 300 million plus West Africans through our port, entangled within the weak threads of lethargy and indifference. Worst of all feeding a few with rampant corruption. What happened to us? Self sabotaging our very existence!
A judiciary that is more elitist and a political weapon against opponents or dissent than being a serious product of jurispridence. To that effect when elected we will certainly kick start a new engine of jurisprudence with practical approaches not "mesmerising excuses" to protect a hegemony.
-Land reform and mandates of harsh regulations to punish any offenders like sellers and witnesses to the seller will be put in place forthwith. A bright example will be a jail sentence through a fair trial. The lands will be sold by licensed and bonded people. Example lawyers, Owner through a certified and trained company. Companies account will be frozen for 90days to indefinite for any fraudulent transaction by any staff of the company.
CIVIL SERVICE: is the engine of any establishment, government or executive that sees its functions as those of responsibility but not an opportunity to enrich or favour so called "loyalists"? Our civil service is at a standstill because it has been deeply politicised. Loyalty to the constitution and codes of conduct substituted with loyalty to party manifestos of incumbents. Where it is normalised or remains unchecked and unchallenged time and productivity will definitely continue being wasted! Latter has become so entrenched and chronic that we do hear things like "civil servants who say they do not belong to any political party are opposition". What a callous statement! Civil servants must and should be guided by the constitution, codes of conduct, General order, financial instructions within the very meaning of ethics and compliance not the contrary. As long as job security continues deriving its meaning from being loyal to an incumbent not national interest, service delivery through due diligence will also remain a mirage. On the other hand Gambia has competent and very honest professionals who are current civil serants or are yet to be hired. We are definitely not short of competent workers, the fact at hand is that we are short of a structure where deficiencies are over whelming. Over the years honest and competent civil servants have been retiring without even a good house to show. Paradoxically though those who work hard and are honest end up being "wretched of the earth"! Is that not a way of compensating incompetence and dishonesty? Civil servants who adhere to ethics and compliance should not be abandoned to shrink with their experience because they are not partisan. A serious government will never treat honest, competent civil servants with contempt simply because they are not party loyalists! There must be a package for our civil servants during active service and after retirement.
How about introducing loans, affordable mortgage payments, cars and so on with a reliable insurance coverage? How about salary increment annually? Why politicise salary increment when it is a "legal incentive"!
-Energy and Electricity is the life line or blood of any nation that is yearning to develop it’s manufacturing industry to be precise factories. It is equally the soul of a nation.
Hospitals need it.
Banks need it.
Even rats need it.
With all the above justifications Nawec is closer to being absolete than anything else that is if one is to say the least. Alongside, Gamtel also needs a total overhaul. Both are institutions that would sooner than later sink and scrape the bottom part of the muddy sea of bankruptcy!
Gamtel and NAWEC are more or less "python like" companies. They only swallow to survive but do not initiate neither do they innovate.
Its the average Gambian who feels the water bill, cash power, school fees, medical bills, transport fare not ministers or the president.
Paradoxically though Gamtel is creeping and weeping near private telecom companies or carriers who are flexing their muscles for being close to the seat of power.
Who feels it?
The average Gambian feels how expensive food commodities are not ministers, directors, GM, CEOs and the so called cooperate world in The Gambia.
“Am not hungry to be President but Am Concerned to be President”
Concerns and deliverables of the basic needs of the average Gambian home and abroad are the tester not noise and canvassing for votes even when the soul of our nation is vulnernable to shocks and threats.
An audio version will be released in
English
Wolof
Mandinka
Poularr soon Inshaa Allah.
Ambassador Essa Bokarr Sey
and Technical Team.
