Political patronage or the spoils system (indeed, any kind of patronage) employs a system that plays favorites. In party politics, the patron is usually the leader or Secretary General of a political party who has the power to hire his or her family and friends to political appointments and other attractive jobs that pay well. The Gambia since its independence has long been known as a nation where the patronage system has held sway despite the many attempts to destroy it.
Musician Ali Cham, Killa Ace known by his stage name eloquently and brilliantly described “Political Patronage or spoils system victory” meaning in one of his masterpiece songs in Wolof, “KU BOKA C GETA GEE NAN C MEOW MEE” literary and roughly means “ all those with cattle herd deserve milk”. Those without with cattle herd don’t deserve milk.
Once, government jobs were political rewards, with workers kicking back to the political parties to which they owed their jobs. This system of chaos and intimidation in government service has become a reality— exactly the system President Adama Barrow seems to want to return to. He is following his predecessor President Jammeh in the politicization of the civil service, encouraging or inheriting the politics of political patronage. At present, in both the diplomatic service and the civil service, no organization and no system is safe from that chaos; no test of integrity is safe from that partisanship; no test of qualification is safe from that intrigue.
In the Gambia, political patronage (also known as the patronage system) is a practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives civil service jobs to its supporters, friends and relatives as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party. The opposite is a merit system, where offices are awarded based on some measure of merit, independent of political activity.
Julius Bing, a renowned civil service reformer, has advocated for the professionalization and depoliticization of the civil service, a system that has served nations well for many years all around the world. That reform of the civil service matters today in the New Gambia, as President Barrow plans for disruption to appear, including the wholesale undoing of the civil service itself, like his predecessor destroying the foundation of Africa’s most capable civil servants.
President Barrow must start permanent employment in the civil service and end the politicization of the civil service by firing corrupt, incompetent, and dishonest workers and by using the powers of the presidency to remove and discipline government employees who have violated the public’s trust.
The civil service seems benign at best, boringly so. There are few advocates presently speaking up for it. But if we wait too long to pay attention or speak out, it might be too late. The Gambia depends on a competent, ethical civil service for the stable functioning of our government and economy—the very foundation of our greatness.
The Gambia has grown used to official and reliable statistics, forecasts, reports, and investigations to keep us informed, stable, and safe. But this stability and professionalism has been undone by Yahya Jammeh, now the government of Adama Barrow following the same path the with the stroke of a pen on a late Friday afternoon through an executive order to hire and fire civil servants.
The Gambia’s civil service system was based on the Westminster style and, after years of efforts, aimed to cure the ills of patronage and corruption that to that point had defined government employment. It aimed to professionalize and depoliticize government employees, allowing civil servants to serve the people and the country rather than petty politicians or ideologies.
Its unethical but a tradition: presidents and political parties treated government jobs as part of the patronage and spoils system. Political party loyalists were regularly rewarded with jobs, promotions, raises, or even paid leave for work on political campaigns.
Political machines depended on the system, for it provided an army of hacks and bosses to run the machine. As administrations came and went, so did most of the federal workforce. This led to constant flux in employment and workers who owed their jobs solely to political connections. Their morale was low, and they lived in constant fear and anxiety of losing their jobs.
Besides the obvious corruption, this created a massively inefficient workforce incapable of the important work required of the federal government, with few workers qualified for their jobs.
An array of political prostitutes and opportunists engaged in politics for selfish interests and benefits. They had access to the state treasury and control over issuing remunerative licenses and contracts. Most interestingly and surprisingly in the Gambia, participation in party politics does not mean automatic rewards, as most people who enjoy the dividends are latecomers.
Then, it is beyond speculation that the rewards after victory are usually based on political loyalty, commitment, and patronage! It goes without saying that those that made heavy sacrifices are left out.
Absolutely Alagi Yorro. I think what has prevailed after the 2016 victory that ousted Jammeh is quite disappointing, especially when attention is drawn to all the appalling nepotism and corruption scandals there right now. What has been transpiring at the statehouse from Barrow’s inauguration in the Gambia consulate in Dakar to now, separates no apple from plum. They were all in it together until they tracked their selfish evil interests on different “political patronage/ Geta Gee” trajectories. I think this look of a government is what most citizens hoped to turn their backs on till eternity, by voting for a coalition of members, who very dearly won the hearts and respect of the majority of Gambians. I would agree with some contributors that, it doesn’t look smart listening to each other like>> I-don’t-know-who-he/she-thinks-he/she-is … That, these are not exactly an>> I-am-a-do-gooder discourse, but in fact a do-gooder government discourse for resolves. No Barrow, Darboe, Touray, Tambajang, Fatty, Bah, Gomez etc. etc. stands out here clean as we are seeing things unfold right now. I hope they understand the importance/need for short transition periods after the demise of cruel and bloodthirsty dictatorships. In social media and perhaps even out in the streets there right now, you may hear, “Wee Barrow!!!”. I hope he is not mad at such raw militants though i did ask myself too, – why would he be?…. At least as leaders, they deserve respect, so hope people stop rallying behind them hailing Wee Wee. Because they shouldn’t!!!
My plea to the coalition partners, political stakeholders and constitutional partnerships is; to come together in light again and respect this ‘3yr transition period’ in order to pave a healthy way for us to turn the pages completely on our traditional and cultural politicking and their cankerous methods of extorting and influencing of our government systems. I hope this 3yr transition serves that momentum in bringing the best and the most of the Gambia’s human resources of all walks of life and from the Gambia and the world over – together, in a needy and functionless government that as usual, persist to be a liability for the citizens of the Gambia instead of hope and progress. This “3 yrs transition” is the momentum for Gambia to take off with her dreams to be politically relevant and democratically viable nation; irrespective of political, cultural, traditional, religious other private agendas. If we fail to take heed and choose to remain railed on the way of corruption, power entrenchment, nepotism and twisted cultural and, religious opportunism, in the context of “rule of law”, we therefore literally remain to be those tyrants to the future of their younger and future generations because, we are the ones who persist in thinking, a constitution already soiled by a blood dripping killer is indeed “rule of law”. Citizens should’ve learnt by now how not to stoop to lows like; [Darboe, Barrow yemunele]. The most disheartening thing of it all is that, there are usually all indications that these people at least have had a basic education. The 3yr transition period is the very ultimate achievement of the 2016 mental uprising against a murderous state and shouldn’t be wasted in anyway but to be used as the momentum to buck our deplorable political and opaque democracy trends, and to put in function, an intelligible democratic process that makes electorate see the material development they hoped politics to bring about as otherwise makes politics a capital CROOK. The aforesaid has nothing to do with an Ousainou or an Adama or wolves in sheep clothings or whatsover, but a totally predicted predicament well beforehand, that urgently warrants ‘you’ the public office holders, political stakeholders and constitutional partnerships in your capacities, to sit together again and ‘closely’, to seriously and honestly address this 3yrs transition period issue, for this period proudly irrefutably marks the most important juncture of the country’s political evolution. If they fail to recognise the importance and the constitutional sanity in this 3yr transition period, sooner or later, a lot of us including Alagi Yorro yourself, will wish we don’t waste our times anymore – just as an understatement of all the possible repercussions. The latter is neither a show of pessimism nor cynicism, but a foresight of simple common sense that is devoid of any spiritual Listikarr, delusions or what so ever. Yet anyone can call it instead, rabble rousing, doomsaying and etc. Now for instance, going to Mauritania from the Gambia but heading southwards Namibia, geographically there is hope you’ll make it to Mauritania once the earth remains spherical.
@Bourne. The “do gooder” reference was a descriptive for emphasis. An hyperbole. It was never meant to be taken literarily. The exchanges on this platform may get heated occasionally but they are a welcome and necessary voice in our country development.
in the “pretext” instead.
The Gambia does not have monopoly on political patronage. As long as political systems are set up for winner takes all, there will be patronage. In matured societies there are usually 2 systems.
One. The majority. Based purely on merit. Those are the people in the system that work. They understand the system, they know the rules and they keep the system going.
Two. The minority. Based on “who you know” and your party. Those are usually placed in ministries, parastatals or entities under government ownership or control as pseudo heads. They know NOTHING. They understand NOTHING. They are there to occupy space and move cash.
Our problem in Gambia is all or none, # Two.
Our system is made up entirely of those who are there to occupy space and move cash. That is our danger. That is what has and will continue to damage the fabric of our society.
But I hope you are not trying to turn on temperatures again Dr Sarr. I only said I agree with those who think it is not smart that we are listening to each other like; I-don’t-who-he/she-thinks-he/she is – implying, there could be like minds to the viewpoint in the latter, and not necessarily meant to be a direct reference to your hyperbolic phrase. I think one very interesting thing also about exchanges on this platform is; it gives you a microscopic view of the average Gambian’s sets of thinking. Indeed when I said Do Gooder, that was literally to say: we don’t compulsorily have to be perfect human beings or to have triple PhDs as the requisite for leadership and public offices but, we have the right and we should be urged, to have the will too, to honestly search for the willing best, honest, capable and competents amongst, who hopefully will help the country set a pace from all this persistent dust and stank in the country’s political atmosphere. I am optimistic that there is a better team of Gambians who can deliver. Anyway Dr., please be rest assured that i do put in my best to read to understand the inlays and the-in-between-the-lines of contributions I deemed important. However, if fail in discerning the right information from your literature at any point in time on this platform, oh please excuse. I promise to keep trying harder.
As a footnote, please have my attention on my rap of “3 yr. transition period” in my comment. You can’t say we have said it all and over again. Saying so would be a symptom for a twisted, tired and shrinking thinking capacity.
…… It is not exactly a Do Gooder problem or who may be it, and we don’t compulsorily have ….
Our problem is the bunch of SELFISH and HYPOCRITE ‘book’ children especially in the diaspora who never told the truth about bad governance to the PPP administration.
Our problem and predicament is the same bunch of SELFISH and HYPOCRITE ‘book’ children who led a ferecious internal and external war on the most Pan-Africanist administration, the APRC administration.
Our problem and predicament is the same bunch of SELFISH and HYPOCRITE ‘book: children who believe the current CORRUPT, TRIBALIST, SELFISH, UN-GAMBIAN, INCOMPETENT and very STUPID and IDIOTIC administration with the profused-belly( filled with HARAM) British Argos Watchman Barrow should stay after three years.
These ‘book’ children are Gambia’s problem. They weigh on their personal ego to support or oppose an administration. With their bookish knowledge and utter lack of truthful vision, they contribute and continue to contribute to our backwardness.
Who in her/his sane mind would welcome Africa’s most illiterate, SELFISH, clueless, CRUEL person in presidential clothing to continue beyond the agreed three-year transitional period?
Aren’t we living witnesses to the difficulties, the waste, the nepotism and all the crude administrative ineptudes and blunder?
Or is our support for this IMP in presidential clothing, the price for our hatred for President Jammeh? When are we loyal, truthful and sincere to the poor and destitude Gambian people?
Look, Alagi Yorro, I don’t accept your bland, weak and comformist style of criticising the present administration. I read your writings during the Jammeh era which are no match to your present weak arguments.
Why the change in tone and style?
I see the same hypocrisy in Pa Nderry Mbai, Kibaro, Gainako, Madi Jobarteh and Njundu’s postings.
That’s why I say our problem and predicament lie on your shoulders. And of course, on those who subscribe to CORRRUPT, ILLITERATE and INCOMPETENT Barrow’s continuity here on line.
Neither Barrow nor Ousainou Darboe will preside over our affairs after December. They are both CORRUPT, SELFISH sellouts.
We have thousands of our up coming patriotic, incorruptible, well prepared fellows to change our people’s livelihood for the better.
Babu, where did you dig up the word, IMP? Interesting. I recall an old Catholic priest using the word on rowdy students!
By the way, my advice to the DR, Isatou Sarr is to embrace humility in dealing with the readership and subscribers to this medium.
Andrew never once asked that the Dr was black, white, red or Indian.
Never asked either that I was exchanging ideas with a socialite, academic, beautiful Badibumka or Kombonka bisexual or heterosexual?
All I cared about was what I could glean from the writing.
Words do speak for themselves Bax and Mwalimu? Don’t they??
Achtung! Verboten Toegang from Andrew!
“Cos I’m a Dutchman, Yeah I’m a Dutchman”!
Babu, almost all you said is the opposite of truth. You fail your duty yourself by not telling Yaya to see psychiatrists since.
Jammeh/aprc were is no Pan Africans. Corrigendum please!! Pan Jungulars!! This was an era of lunatic Banjul status quo. The era of fear and hopelessness, the era of decadence and extortion of the private citizens and their properties. Sad be convinced so, the same era continues to loom over the Gambia. I don’t know how you in your @Babu capacity will help the kind of team of humble, honest and politically aware citizens whose political participation in the will make a difference in the struggle for a politically democratically sane Gambia government to be realised. If you’re snoring you’ll say there is no sane politics or democracy even in the West.
I hope your kind of incorruptibles are not set ready with your torches! To be honest I think you are a Barrow aprc cultivate who is capable of planting acts of lawlessness in any peaceful march or protest. Don’t be angry it’s a guess!
My idea of incorruptibles are actually those motivated, honest, qualified, law abiding, intelligent and not ruthless citizens. They don’t have to be those whose gowns fill the space before anyone else can get seated. They shouldn’t be going around dressed like religious leaders buying support and sympathy instead of winning the former and latter.
I know I won’t hesitate to sympathize with even a new party that would prove to be that honest, with clear ideas and required knowhow, to transparently and meaningfully spend the taxpayers’ money for the taxpayer by the ‘book’, to help Gambian citizens and resident realise their dreams of better life standards. These quality of citizens are there we know and hope they will come in the light and so mercy to us the poor ordinary citizens and our future generations. We the poor Gambians will be proud of an administration that will help with ideas to help develop the people’s living conditions and the infrastructure. The type that understand the true purpose of multiparty politics. All 2/3m people can’t be so selfish, wickedly dishonest, merciless and remorseless to the abject poverty of the majority who all can’t fit in the Getas of nepotism and public fund misappropriation. One would think at least the electorate would’ve learnt by now, the insulting undertones in throwing bennachin parties and mattresses for party supporters during political rallies, or throwing cookies at waiting crowds to scramble for to their death. The forbidden back doors of such idiotic Mansayas should be slammed in firm, once and for all.
Babu to be honest, I would say I can’t imagine the potential catastrophe in you finding yourself in the midst of any group of incorruptibles. Let’s say they are there in their thousands but perhaps we don’t need that many honest and qualified people in a small government like the Gambia’s. Maybe the 50 most qualified from the 1000s candidates will do. The type of 50 who would see public office as a challenge/test and would know how to bow out of it when they know they’ve failed to live to public’s expectations.
Great you being such an awesome book grandpa yourself. I keep wondering when and where you got it all from .. Hope yet, a much brighter light sheds on your @Babu door. Ameen.