Letter To Interior Minister Drammeh My Former University Lecturer (Part.1)

I write to you in my capacity as your former student of the University of the Gambia, please be reminded that you taught me Organizational Behavior in 2011 as part of the requirement for my undergraduate program in Management.  It is in that regard I write to you to remind you as per your explanation of conflict of interest in an organization and the impact it can cost to the organization and the stakeholders.

Please be informed that your hands lies in great power. If I may be so bold as to speak the truth to that power, I am going to present you with a heartfelt appeal to you to become a Minister who will go down in history as a great man.

Conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which personal and/or financial considerations have the potential to influence or compromise professional judgment in clinical service, research, consultation, instruction, administration, or any other professional activity.

A conflict of interest arises in the workplace when an employee has competing interests or loyalties that either are or potentially can be, at odds with each other. Conflicts of interest can cause an employee to act out of interests that are divergent from those of his or her employer or coworkers.

According to sources you are a brother to the lead Counsel of the Janneh commission Bensuda? If this is true then the integrity of the commission of enquiry is at stake because any recommendations made by her were arrested will be involved can be seen as a family witch hunts.

The last time I checked you were an expert in Marketing and Tourism and not in security issues. The question one might asked would be how can a person without security background lead such an Institution considering our recent political situation. And how prepared are you to execute your  task accordingly as per your term of reference in order to stay in the hot seat for long, in a way that you would not be consumed by the law.

I submit to you that you would have been effective in the Tourism industry or Diplomatic service or other Ministry but not this one due to the sensitive nature surrounding our current national security and legal matters. And transforming security forces from an ideology of perpetuating one man rule to sound democracy requires someone with a very good background such as conflicts resolutions, international securities to lead not only with words but with actions.

An Interior ministry is typically responsible for policing, emergency management, national security, registration, supervision of local governments, public administration and immigration matters. Therefore how prepared are you to address the situation putting in to consideration your knowledge on security issues.

The Gambia is at a time when conflict, rape, robbery, theft and murder are at the peak. The last time I checked the government have lost touch with the people of The Gambia and have lost ability to maintain order and command respect for the laws of the land.  This is leading people to take the law into their own hands. With weakened governance, and lack of education and leadership some Gambian people have misinterpreted the notion of democracy as having the freedom and right to act as they please without due regard for others or their environment, as Barrow and his administration look on hopelessly.

If one is not safe inside and outside their home due to the fear of being rape and attacked by thieves and armed robbers, how will they have confidence in the President and his administration for doing a brilliant job? Is it not a popular saying among some Gambians that if you are hungry, starving but feel safe and are peaceful, you are much happier?

I submit to you that the Barrow lead administration is focusing too much of its attention on bringing down the legacy of Jammeh and his associates.  This energy could be better focused on trying to develop the economy and repair other areas of governance. Further the tendency of hiring based on compensation, political agenda, is an insult to the Gambians both those home and abroad and such will not be tolerated beyond mountain Kilimanjaro.

We gone those days where citizens watch their leaders to ruin their country to sink like the great Titanic. The real trick to good governance is to place the needs of the masses above everything else; to lead not just with words but with action. Actions define priorities. It’s the only way President Barrow and your Ministry can successfully bring us the long sought dividend of democracy.

How do you do the above requirement when lawlessness, murdering and especially armed robberies, are on the power? You are very much aware of the fact that prevalence of peace and tranquility and safety of the citizenry goes a long way to tell or measure how successful one’s administration has been.

I will, hence suggest that you adopt the following to help your day to day running of the prestigious Interior Ministry.

1. Limit your media talks.
2. Appoint a Communications Officer in the Ministry through the PMO to do the talking
3. Keep goals clear, focused and incentivize employees
4. Strengthen your interactions with the stakeholders
5. Don’t be afraid to delegate and always communicate effective
6. Don’t ever assume, investigate before you act.
7. Cut out the excess and embrace telecommuting.

To be continued…

Your Student,

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist