As the tiny West African nation is emerging from the shadows of two-decade long dictatorship, a senior adviser at the Barcelona-based Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), has warned Gambians to desist from being caught up in the euphoria that follows regime change, and which often leads to high expectations.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Gambia Transition Brain Trust (GTBT) held Thursday at Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, about 12 km away from Banjul, Dr. Seth Kaplan said: “Whenever a country is in transition, expectations are extremely high.”
Gambians voted out ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh in December 2016, putting an end to his 22 years rule marked by continued clampdown on civic liberties, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. Barrow’s government has vowed to right the wrongs of the past in addressing rising demands for justice while pushing ahead with a reconciliation agenda.
Dr.Kaplan said in many cases the reality will not meet the expectations, and he went further to call on Gambians not to let the hopes turn into disappointments.
To tackle these challenges, the Gambia Transition Brain Trust will be tapping into the robust expertise of the first non-governmental organisation with a special focus on an integrated approach to helping fragile and conflict affected areas to transition out of tyranny and into a state of peace and democracy.
“Change takes a lot of time: political culture needs to change; institutions needs to improve; and civil society needs to develop. People tend to think that once the ‘bad guy’ is out, everything will get better and quick,” he added.
IFIT Senior Adviser made it clear that freedom does not necessarily mean a straight line to progress, saying that these expectations are unrealistic, and need to be managed.
He then reminded the gathering that unmet expectations, unfulfilled expectations, disappointment, frustrations can lead to a backlash…
Speaking on behalf of the speaker of the National Assembly Speaker, Yaya Gassama, said all these issues are to be addressed.
As Gambians are enjoying a new democratic dispensation, the Kiang East parliamentarian emphasized the need for Gambians to reflect on the challenges in order to chart a way forward.
GTBT Coordinator, Juka Fatou Jabang, said they have inspired by IFIT to form an institution that will come up with analytical thinking about issues that are affecting the population
She expressed their intention to share their findings with government.
Jabang further stated that GTBT is comprised of a diverse and interdisciplinary group of practitioners, intellectuals, professionals from different fields.
“The group is independent, and non-partisan. We don’t belong to any party openly. We are autonomous,” she pointed out.
Written by Abdoulie JOHN in Banjul
We are not, “succumbing to High Expectations” but setting the bar a lot higher than what is the norm in a nation state where the leadership tolerates mediocrity at all levels!
Setting high expectations is one sure way of narrowing the achievement gap. That’s the way we have been taught at Saint Augustine’s High, Armitage High, Gambia High and Nusrat High Schools. At a time when our parents didn’t have to pay for school fees out of their noses but students were still afforded good quality education!
And what’s Juka Jabang doing here as coordinator?
So there are no competent younger fellows to fill the ranks??
Disheartening.
We understand the need to manage our expectations, most Gambians are quite forgiving when they see signs that those in charge are making progress towards a sustained and bright future for the masses. Leaders cannot expect patience and understanding from the masses if there is lack of inertia towards the following:
1. Determination to stop corruption.
2. Fiscal responsibility.
3. Job creation.
4. Security.
5. Freedom.
6. Separation of powers.
These steps only need good leadership and love of country. That is not asking for too much. Is it?
Insulting to the average intelligent citizen.
Who pays these people wages to spit out mediocrity ?
Gambia is doomed;
Halleluja! What a waste of words and a semantic treachery to blindfold the people once again. Transition Brain Trust or Transition Gear Box! Now we getting warnings not to loose hope if our expections are crushed. Am asking myself what do I expect this government to deliver and the first and the last answer is: Everything.
But what is this government (group of clowns) really capable of delivering? NOTHING.
Let’s be serious, Gambia’s debt portfolio is ballooning everyday, whilst our economy is shrinking. Imports are rising and exports have stagnated. The health delivery system has morphed into a perfect killer machine. And so much more.
To add insult to injury, we now have a new BRAIN to help make recommendations to a brainless government that’s suppose to rule over a people with brains. What happened to the think-tank that drew the National Development Plan? Or to the plan itself? Someone should save us from the calamity of……..you fill the gap.
Yours in the service of The Gambia and Africa, I remain.
You’ve raised some brain teasers here Lamin?
Anyone remember a US college course in the humanities titled, Logics and Semantics?
What’d be the role of this mouthful of an organization (GTBT) versus that of the TRC?
What exactly will be IFIT’s role in this endeavor?
Eh Gambia!
FANG IMPORTANDO BEH MOLU FAA LA!
Meanwhile, program money becomes NAA KILIN (not NAA FULO) and then all of a sudden, poof, the kitty is empty. It’s money on paper but not really there!
And what’s happened to the coordinator one would ask?
My pal Lang Darboe would reply, MOM DEFA DEM AMERICA POUR JARARRO. Not funny he might retort.
Meanwhile the brain will be advised to keep trusting.
Andy I am under the impression that the grasses that witnessed your battles with Ntoma are suffering to the point of dying. Why not let them grow back a bit for the sake of all…….lol.
That aside, I have to tell you the brainless‘s brain cannot be teased. I mean……dead grey cells cannot be activated with mere words.
Our dilemma goes beyond think-tanks, commissions and committees. We have a much more fundamental existential problem. IDENTITY!
Yours in the service of The Gambia and Africa, I remain.
I hear you Lamin on all items. Nyo Kaa Soso Faa, Soso Kaa Nyo Faa going forward.
Like my son says, couldn’t help myself dad.
Indeed our dilemma goes beyond padded think tanks and other self serving bodies where, in the words of my pal Dr Abou Jeng, Gambians don’t wish to to step outside of their regimented limits! That holds true in most of what goes on in The Gambia.
However, when enlightened Gambians with the desired perspectives can find a way to come together to the table with the commitment to listen to each other and not succumb to exercises in ego management, we may be well on to a meaningful journey.
This is the information of the day. Salaries for the VP–562,116 per annum approx. D44,000 per month,
Cabinet Ministers—351,996 per annum approx. D29,333 per month
Per Diem allowances overseas travels and night allowances for VP…350 pounds per night,
Secretary general, Ministers, Speaker, Chairman PSC, Chairman national Planning Commission………300 pounds per day
I will come up with more.
Sand digging and selling at Kartong, which was halted at the dictate of the Commission of Inquiry continues with renewed contract,
The selling of the President Jammeh cattle whic was also halted at the dictate of the Commission of Inquiry continues
Senegalese, Guinean (Conakry-Bissau), Malian, Ivorian robbers have entered the country. People’s lives and properties are continuously at risk.
The point is I lay blames on those “learned” Gambians especially in the diaspora who want to maintain this VERY BAD, CORRUPT, TRIBALIST and INCOMPETENT bunch of USELESS and very SELFISH people in power on the archaic President Jammeh argument.
The future of our children is gradually, deliberately and carelessly mortgaged. Not their children. They are amassing enough money through these illicit means to guarantee the safety and future wellbeing of their children and close buddies.
While we still suffer from permanent electricity and water outages/shortages, this bunch of very STUPID IDIOTIC administrators are busy amassing money from the “meagre” resources they have so much cried about.
While prices of basic commodities are unaffordable, this bunch of VERY SELFISH and STUPID administrators are wilfully stealing.
While farmers cannot still receive their money from groundnut sales, five months after the trade season, this bunch of VERY SELISH and VERY STUPID IDIOTS continue to travel to amass more money through exobitant per diem allowances.
The oil prospects of over 1 billion barrels should never be harnessed with these people in administration. It will further strengthen CORRUPTION and CORRUPTIBLE practices.
The blame lies on our “learned” laurettes. Those unpatriotic, neocolonialist and reactionary SELLOUTS. Those who believe in the bogus interpretation of “democracy” to entrench stealing, bigotry, influence-peddling, nepotism, tribalism(undercover), corruption.