(JollofNews)- I am of the view that politically motivated appointments for ‘political positions’, should be distinguished from public service appointments. The Barrow government should show signs of ethical standards.
GRTS is established by an act of parliament to serve the public by providing independent, impartial and honest news/information through great editorial and ethical standards.
GRTS should pursue stories that are to the ‘Public Interest’, journalistically motivated and should not campaign for anyone or give prominence to anyone agenda.
GRTS should be independent from the ruling government and partisan interest. Therefore, would Sillah, our senior comrade who is a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) be able to oversee an institution of this nature? Is Sillah not already emotionally attached to the Barrow administration?
I have no doubt that he has the required professional experience to oversee GRTS, but for ethical reasons and his previous engagement in partisan politics, Sillah should be reassigned to political portfolios and the vacancy should be advertise for qualified suitable professionals.
However, Sillah also has the option to resign from the UDP and make a public declaration of his resignation, which could be seen as a step of showing no interest or commitment to his employer (Barrow) and start building a reputation of impartiality, fairness and integrity through programming output.
The new GRTS should completely be to the public service and not even praise singing songs for politicians should be played by the broadcaster.
Sillah is a fine and open minded gentleman I have great respect for and as a former BBC staff; I believe he understands my bond of contention.
I really feel some of these criticisms are unfounded and premature. Give the guy atleast a chance to prove himself. Let’s not just talk for the sake of talking, freedom of speech comes with responsiblities.
Every single individual has his/her political inclinations and affinities. What makes the difference is his/her professionalism that gives him judgement to do what’s right. You rightly admit that Mr. Sillah has the required experience and professionalism, so why not give him a chance to prove himself instead of jumping the gun.
Thank you very much Mr jeng for that comment. I wish everybody is like you and have a thinking like you. To be honest with you today I am not happy to be a Gambian. Gambians talk too much. We complain about everything. Gambians are very good at talking but no one is ready to sacrifice for anything. Everyone talk like a degree holder. If there will be another world I will like to be a Chinese in that world. Mr jeng may Allah the almighty gives you long life and good health, and also shower his blessing on you for the rest of your life.
Party membership is no criteria to deny Mr Sillah the position. What is important is whether he has the professional merits and the good judgement to lead the employees at GRTS judiciously. President is a UDP member but today in a different role- to successfully lead the coalition.
I think resorting to slander or doubting other people’s intent is not helpful in forging ahead for a better Gambia.
Kemo, this guy Sulayman Bah only wants his 15min claim to fame. He has not done his research properly before posting this rubbish. The best thing is just to ignore such attention seeking petulant kids. Who cares about his “beef” with Ebrima Sillah’s appointment.
Is this about ethnic scramble for positions or a United Gambia for peace and prosperity? Any Gambian with the qualifications for available positions should be able to apply, however, I know there are positions reserved for the president to appoint qualified Gambians which include the ruling party qualified members.
We all know the process of employment, usually there are different candidates competing, and is up to the employer to hire candidates based on their qualifications, experienced, and if they will be good fit to carry the duties of the job to the best without prejudice.
Remember: “Our unity, peace and security are our basic foundation to the lasting development and reinforcement of our democracy” without which we are only bound to fail.
In democracies we have to avoid naming party comrades as directors grts if we really believe transparency, this appointment is an error and a plan to use public places for the ruling party far from the public interest as ethnica also, there will be more independent professionals and prepared for this position , In this position we do not need party buddies but professionals indepentientes, finger pointing to friends will not have a happy ending, democracy asks to share everything that is missing at the moment !!!
You damn, right peace, this was what yahya jammeh was doing. I will appoint some one who fits the job across the board, with open mind.
Jammeh was just appointing people base on who favor him or in exchange with something personal to him.
I think many people do not undersant point sulayman is making.The appointments in such position should follow process therefore picking ebrima without following that process is wrong. if he is made minister sulayman would not wrote is piece because that is political appointment.
Sulayman Bah based on your comments. The We must remind the young that what we are seeing today is A Third Republic of tribal sentiments:
The Appointments so far is clear for even the blind to touch .Gambia has come off age and we need a break to these tribal sentiments, nepotism and favoritism
Mr President, What is the reason for giving UDP and a so called Mandinka government the leadership of nearly all the positions so far? Anyway, Jammeh was said to be Tribalist but his cabinet until the last day was composed of mixed tribes. We are likely to build these 3 years of the third republic on woods swamped with insects and earthworms! Should this trend continue!
Fellow folks, it is now clear that the third republic is being orchestrated under Coalition shrouded in tribal sentiments of the early 1980’s when it was believe that one tribe is the main and only tribe capable and larger than any other tribe. For the records and throughout the history of Senegambia, after nearly a century of the coexistence of the tribes in the Gambia and the Senegal region, the third republic is using leadership tribal line to settle a proxy succession cold warfare
The Coalition is not a Mandinka Movement neither is it a UDP political masterminding. This was a collective action by all and any tribe or party claiming victory is naive and could undermine the social fabric of our continued trust and confidence. # Gambia has Decided! Is not inked on a tribe or party!!. The political impasse we went through was not surmounted by any tribe or party and neither ECOWAS nor The AU or the UN intervened because a particularly tribe or singular party was affected. It was; the will of the Gambian people!
The Fulas, , Jolas, Mandinkas ,Manjagoes , Wolofs, Akus, Sarahules and Serers all had tested the carrot and stick of the Jammeh regime. No region, tribe or religion was left untouched and hence none can claim to be witchhunted. The pronouncement by Jammeh about the Mandinkas not succeeding him should not overshadow the fact of what is being seen as a renaissance of the TERRY KAFFO the 1980! Infact the mandinkas have been since independence the biggest opposition of President Jawara for 30 years (NCP) and also Jammeh for 22 years (NCP metamorphosed to UDP!)
Mr President Barrow, your naivety could be a potential cancer to the Gambias social culture of mutual coexistence. Take the heart to tell the world you are Fula and proud of being a fula but Have No Regards for its meanings in the presence of a Country Bigger than tribe.
This is the only way you can dilute the current so called Mandinka Campaign in all nooks and crannies of the Gambia that A MANDINKA PRESIDENT HAS SUCCEEDED A JOLA PRESIDENT and so Jammeh was ousted because of a Tribal force . FAR FROM THE TRUTH; the Gambians who voted BARROW AND MAMA KANDEH are twice the Mandinka Population and hence it sounds irrational to continue to breed this ethnocentric ideas in the third republic. Day in day out, tribal animosity is growing between the Mandinkas and Jola as a result of this Maneuvering that the Jola government is gone and a Mandinka Government has come once again? The so called TV show on reconciliation is clear for all that two tribes are the main target audience . The president should be bold be to tell the Mandinkas that he is a Fula of blue blood from Father -Mother: the Futa Toros. The message is clear. Gambians are surprised to hear Mandinkas who previously called the Barrows as “FUTA TORANKAS” BARO MANASEE” as A MANDINKA!!. This is meant to wage a tribal succession with the Jolas after the fall of what the Mandinkas called a Jola coup over their country they own and should dictate and lead. This is a sneaking maneuver against other tribes.
Our neighboring Senegal is brighter example to follow. Nobody cares about what tribe is the president! Mr President Barrow take the example of your Brother; Son Excellence Monsieur Macky Sall, bold and proud of what he is because that is the choice of Allah the creator and not what certain a tribe wants!
Mr. President, on the 16 February 1965, a Toranka Fula of blue blood was born and that can’t be changed by tribes taking political take vengeance against a certain tribe who have also had their fair share for 22 years. Ask the Fonikas and even those in Kanalia what they went through over the years. It is not the least fair to cane innocent people over what even the so called largest and owners of the Gambia couldn’t have stopped. The atrocities during the Jammeh regime was not be carried out by any particular tribe nor do the resources shared amongst the Jolas.
After 22 year of what is considered a Jola regime, the Jolas or fonkinas are not better than any other tribe or region. It is unfair to them when it is all known that Jammeh did not care kinship or region when it comes to decisions. How many fonikas fled to Cassamas or are said to be missing?
Buba Camara ( Camara-Lie)
Tabokoto