Musa Bah
It is a known and agreed fact that when men and women of conscience remain silent while injustices are being committed, they bear equal responsibility for those injustices. It is wrong for citizens to be aloof and oblivious of the ills in their society. It was this very attitude during the previous regime that landed us in a repressive dictatorship which brought untold sufferings to many citizens of The Gambia. Many had to flee and seek refuge in different parts of the world.
It would be fool hardy therefore to think that because now we have a democracy, we should fold our hands and watch politicians while they falter and fail frequently. If we really wish to avoid going back to dictatorship and a regime that will violate the rights of citizens, and squander our public resources, we should – all together – seek to constantly engage the government (responsibly of course) and suggest ways of making it better.
When the majority of the country turn a blind eye to the goings-on, and the government and governors feel that they can do as they please, then we are in for a very rough ride indeed. In every society, you have people referred to as the intellectuals or the elite. These people have voices which are listened to and respected by both the governors and the governed. If these people choose to engage, then by simply speaking out, they can effect changes which will benefit the society. However, if they choose to remain quiet, then they are virtually committing the injustices or abuses of power that will ensue.
Nature has been cruelly kind to The Gambia. For, there is not a world institution of power and fame, where you won’t find highly educated Gambians doing wonderfully well. From the World Bank to the International Monetary Fund to world class universities in the West, Gambians are proving to be of great blessing to the world and those countries in which they find themselves. Unfortunately, many – if not most – of these Gambians do not seem to care what is happening in their home country. Had they come together to take interest in what is going on and sought to contribute – even if it is only to advise – this country could have been transformed in a short time.
Of course, there are some who are playing a very crucial role in advising and giving technical expertise to our government and other groups and individuals, but majority are just minding their own businesses for reasons best known to them. This is the Gambia’s tragedy.
For instance, since the story broke about the Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Foundation receiving thirty-five million dalasis from a Chinese Company called TIBEA, only ordinary folks like me and a few men and women of conscience have constantly spoken and written about it. Perhaps if more people spoke about it the government would have listened and said something about it. But because it is only the ordinary and voiceless guys like me who are talking, no action or explanation has been forthcoming from our government.
The National Assembly which is the lawmaking body in the country has a committee responsible for monitoring public finance and are to hold government to account, but they have still not said a thing about this saga. To add salt to injury, we have heard of the ‘brown envelopes’ which is like an obstacle to doing their work.
The intellectual class should come out and speak for the betterment of our nation. It is this nation that made them who they are and thus they should give back. They should not be selfish and only concern themselves with their pockets.
No one will come from outside and develop this nation for us. It is we – the Gambians – who can and will develop our country.
