Applying for ministerial positions: That is crazy. Only in Gambia people applying for ministerial positions and seeking recommendation from political leaders. They undermine the spirit of democracy. Government is NOT a corporate company. This is insane.
That’s a Monty Pythons scenario! They undermine democratic processes increasing corruption and collision between private sector and the state as the golden boys would interchange position between the two sectors acting in favor of personal and corporate interests.
Such propositions make me sick. It’s a clear distortion of democracy. They are ready to sacrifice any democratic institution for getting less. This is pathetic. Stop those lunatic practices. Ministerial appointment is a constitutional requirement with absolute discretion, the president to appoint.
The shameless jostling for Cabinet positions is just sickening. Offices which are meant to be the highest call to service have been reduced to tribal or “Kabudu” tokens. Instead of a Cabinet for the country they will end up with a committee of sycophants; a congregation of clueless incompetents.
This is how the “JOKERRE ENDAM” AND “Terri KAFFO” philosophy ruins a country. The government is a carcass hence attracting vultures. They ought to retrace their steps back to sanity. Part of the problem with our Westminster culture is that it laughs at things that are commonplace in the outside world and in professional circles.
We have got to stop sneering at these ideas and say it is important that we make sure ministers are properly supported in their roles. Part of the reasoning of representative democracy and government is that “amateurs” can be appointed or elected, just as well as “professionals”, therefore a strong and well trained civil service of vocational professionals is a must in a democratic state.
A civil service is there to advise its amateur ministers, to make sure they do not accidentally break the law. Pity successive governments have been doing their all to weed out civil servants who she either too much intelligence, professionalism or both, with ongoing cuts to both training, investment and recruitment.
It is naive to expect that there will not be political patronage in this administration, if there wasn’t, that in itself will be an aberration. As concerned citizens we prayed and hoped that the 3 no go areas will be sacred grounds. We expect a record of accomplishment, competence and leadership quality to reign supreme. Those areas in my opinion are Education, Economy and National Security. To say Gambians are not disappointed will be an understatement. The price will be paid in 4 years at the polls. UDP for loosing the golden opportunity and Sallah for desertion. Political reasons are unimportant. There is no honor among thieves. We can all attest to that. It is not a corporation but they run it like their family farm, ditto to dictator Yahya Jammeh and his Kanilai family farm. As things change they remain the same.
God Bless The Gambia
Are we naive to expect that there should be no patronage in this administration? May be we are (because the people in government have never actually spoken against it in opposition) but what we shouldn’t expect, and must always speak out against, as Alagie has done here, is that patronage is just the way things are done in our country, and that this should be accepted.
No, we mustn’t accept patronage as the way of Gambian politics, because it is one of the “evils” that has led us to where we are today, and will always negatively impact on our ability to register meaningful and sustainable achievements in those very key areas you identified, namely: education, economy and national security.
The UDP may have blown a very big opportunity in government, due to their own internal maneuverings and repositionings, but I don’t see how Halifa is guilty of “desertion”. Clearly, he and his party are still Coalition 2016 members and they are serving the nation in the National Assembly.
Certainly, some coalition members will lose at the next elections, but I don’t think it will be for their actions during the transition period, because if I know the Gambian voter, performance of politicians and/or programmes of parties will be the least on their list of criteria for support. That’s why we badly need real changes to achieve the objectives of establishing a genuine democracy in The Gambia.
I am of the opinion that if Hon Sallah were to have accepted a key position in Barrow’s administration things will be very different in Gambia today. I will go as far as saying for the better and to the benefit of the entire country. Staying outside was a defeat for us all. A rejection of the peoples mandate to the coalition, and a giant step back. It’s his decision but Statesmen must learn to weight and balance political expediency and what is for the greater good to personal ego, conviction and sometimes “principle”.
This too shall pass
God Bless The Gambia.
Well, you’re entitled to that opinion Dr Sarr, but I think you are wrong, because if Halifa’s presence would have made a difference, we would have seen the indications by now, because his ideas are no secret. Is President Barrow taking steps to implement any of Halifa’s ideas?
Yes, there may be a Government and a Cabinet, but let’s face it, executive power resides in the President. He and he alone decides what direction the country takes, thus Halifa’s presence in that Cabinet would make no difference if the chief executive doesn’t share his vision for the country. His presence might even be a distraction for the Cabinet.
Yes, the coalition presented Adama Barrow to the electorate, but the people’s mandate was entrusted to Adama Barrow alone, and no one else. The coalition was just a vehicle by which the people’s mandate was sought. Halifa, whenever the opportunity arose, has always offered himself for election and if the people think he will make a difference, then the choice is theirs.
There is absolutely no doubt though, that our problem is leadership failures, and as long as we stubbornly persist in choosing mediocre leaders, we will continue to be led to “worship at the alters of the Gods of poverty”, as Professor Patrick Lumumba of Kenya would say.