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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jul 2011 : 00:18:45
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Monday, July 04, 2011
The president of the Republic has reechoed the indispensability of the youth folk in the continent’s roadmap to progress and sustainable development, thus asserting that African leaders have now awakened to this fact.
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh was speaking to journalists in an interview Saturday afternoon at the Banjul International Airport shortly after returning from the 17th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The theme of the summit was “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable development in Africa”.
The Gambian leader, who was received on arrival by the vice president, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy and other dignitaries, stressed the need for the continent’s teaming youthful population to be rightfully nurtured with a view to enhancing the development of the continent. “It seems that all of us now realise the indispensability of the youths because as I have always been saying, if you want a good plantation that will bear fruits, that will be useful to you, you have to take care of the seedlings in nursery, nurture these young seedlings until they grow into mature trees. That is the same with a human being – if you want a good child who will tomorrow become a good daughter or son, who will help you, you have to train the person from infancy to adulthood,” he stated.
While noting that the 17th African Union (AU) Ordinary Summit was held with a specific focus on youth empowerment, the Gambian leader queried why the continent, where most countries have youth making up 60 percent of their population, had to wait for 17 years to realise that the youths are very important. “Sometimes good things come from very bad things and I think what they called the ‘North African virus’ has awakened some of us who were sleeping and now everybody realised that the youths are indispensable,” he stated.
However, the Gambian leader described this summit on youths as something that is “better late than never”, while stressing that they have all realised that if they [the leaders] want a progressive Africa, there is the unquestionable need to be able to nurture the youths that will become productive future actors in Africa. He said: “The devastating effect of slavery was because they took the young people out of Africa into slavery. The rest of the world was very poor, hungry; they couldn’t grow enough, so they decided to take young Africans to make them rich and then rid starvation from them and in that process they impoverished and depopulated the continent.”
President Jammeh seized the opportunity to reaffirm that the youths have always been and will continue to be a central indispensable pillar in his government. However, he equally cautioned that the youths must understand that they have a responsibility, while enjoining them to make use of the existing conducive environment created by the government. He continued: “You cannot tell us I want water and when we take you to the lake, you say I cannot bend down to fetch it. So that is the problem we also have here. What young Africans do when they go to Europe, if they do it here, Africa will be developed. There they don’t create any facility for you – you go and hustle under a very stringent condition and so if you can make it there, why not here where you are at home.”
While admitting that government has a very pivotal role to play, the president however stressed that the most roles are to be played by the youths. He said the government’s responsibility is to create the conducive environment, adding that no one will be forced to go to the farm, school or a skill centre. “And if you also acquire skills, I cannot force you to make use of those skills. The youths really have to take advantage of the conducive environment. There is no government in this world that would provide employment for all the youths,” he stated.
Libya ceasefire
Commenting on the call made by the AU at the Malabo Summit for a ceasefire in war-hit Libya, President Jammeh asserted that his government’s position is very clear with regards to that country. He stressed that his government has made its position clear even before the rest of the world made their positions clear including the major powers.
However the Gambian leader averred that the AU has to be flexible here in the sense that it cannot be seen to be using double standards.
He explains: “This was pointed out to them – that you cannot use a carrot for a donkey that bites and then use an axe for another donkey that kicks. Why, because not long ago it was the same AU that passed judgment on Gbagbo [former Ivorian president] that he must leave. They said the people did not want him as he has lost the election. Now here is Libya – but the reality of the situation is that we cannot end the violence [when] all of us are pretending that we want to protect the Libyans but we want both sides to be intact and we want to please both sides. This is practically not possible. What AU should have taken is a neutral position. But in this case there are people that are saying oh no he [Gaddafi] must step down and go to where? But why didn’t they ask the same question for Gbagbo? Is he not a human being? He is a human being – you decided that he has to go or he will be forced out. Now these people [Libyan rebels] are also saying they don’t want him [Gaddafi].”
He added: “So, anyway we decided and put it that way that Gaddafi will not participate in the negotiation and that we will negotiate for both sides to agree on terms and conditions of a ceasefire which will be implemented and then we will have a transitional arrangement which will lead to elections under international supervision.”
Sugar scarcity & Ramadan
Asked to comment on the current scarcity of sugar and the subsequent hiking of its prices in the markets as a result of the Holy Month of Ramadan drawing nearer, the president decried the status quo and observed that such has become a hallmark in this country. “I don’t know what type of human beings we have in this country who [during] a period when you want forgiveness is also the period to make riba [profiteering]. It has become a hallmark in this country but I have my way of fighting it and I will do my best to fight it,” he assured
The Gambian leader also lashed out at wealthy Gambian businessmen, saying they could come together and make an impact. “But everybody is saying, oh, it’s the president. I don’t have money but the people are my money – the wellbeing of Gambians is my wealth. I cannot feel happy eating, knowing that there are a thousand Gambians that are not eating. I will rather give it to them and starve and pray than eat and say let them wait for another day. But how many Gambians also are wealthy and can help? I am not saying you should do what I am doing, but also bring commodities, sell it at a reasonable price and make small profit,” he stated.
President Jammeh concluded by assuring that he will do his best, disclosing that he has a surprise. “I will not go into further details; but I know the commodities that prices skyrocket during the Holy Month of Ramadan and thank God, before the Holy Month I have a solution to that,” he said.
Author: by Hatab Fadera
Source:http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-preaches-indispensability-of-youths-in-africas-development-as-he-returns-from-17th
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I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
Edited by - Moe on 05 Jul 2011 00:21:02 |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2011 : 00:51:34
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Interesting MOE,many good words and ideas, some of which cannot work in Gambia,this statement for instance:
"What young Africans do when they go to Europe, if they do it here, Africa will be developed. There they don’t create any facility for you – you go and hustle under a very stringent condition and so if you can make it there, why not here where you are at home.”
The answer is simple in Europe MOST people have disposable income,the average Gambian does not have that luxury, to feed and clothe the family takes all his efforts,(if he has no job even harder) money for schooling is not often available,medicines are not affordable,dental treatment,even basic extractions at RVH costs money which often is not there,these are some of the reasons "why not here where you are at home.” cannot yet be a reality for many. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Moe
USA
2326 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2011 : 01:22:54
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| Not so simple , simple guy the fact is migrants go to these countries, most times not even with a valid I.D not to mention working papers, some hide and work under jerked up situations yet they survive. What ever is driving them in Babylon to persevere should drive them whilst in their homeland. Its a lie to say they exhausted all resources and had to leave for greener pastures, thats the African story but thats the LAY mans's story, it's untrue and not genuine, its more like the easy way out or the cheapest route to advancement. Disposable income is dependent on the life style and fabric of society, If the Brits had similar circumstances as it is in Gambia, "everyone's problem is your problem not only your family members but everyone", no one in England will have a penny or any disposable income. That arguement touby is flawed in some ways .........................Peace |
I am Jebel Musa better yet rock of Gibraltar,either or,still a stronghold and a Pillar commanding direction
The GPU wants Me Hunted Down for what I don't know ..... |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2011 : 11:41:06
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| OK, I understand that,but I still think I have a point,If the Brits had similar circumstances as it is in Gambia, "everyone's problem is your problem not only your family members but everyone", no one in England will have a penny or any disposable income. " I think that maybe for many many years there has been work available in Britain and many have been exploited in the past by the big men, we used to make things and sell them world wide,after that it became "normal" for everyone to have a job because jobs were there,NOW UK is going through a change jobs are scarce and often low paid,imigrants from eastern europe are coming and taking these jobs because the young Brits don't want to work and refuse jobs for low wages,so bosses take eastern Europeans cheaper and work hard,no contest. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2011 : 18:14:13
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1. FOROYAA Editorial : THE PRESIDENT’S INTERVIEW ON THE AU SUMMIT Libya and the youth
"We have monitored the interview the President gave on the summit but did not get any information on how the African countries intend to address youth unemployment and underemployment. It is evident that millions of young people are unemployed and those who are employed do not receive income that could ensure their survival and increase their capacity to maintain families.
In our view, African Leaders should have indicated how to integrate their economies and harmonise their political systems and policies to provide more liberty and prosperity to the people. Suffice to say before doing so they should have established safeguards to promote political stability. One of the most important safeguards to political stability is to establish two terms for each country so that no leader would be in office for more than 10 years. The US has one of the largest economies in the world but its President serves for a period of only two terms. Each tern lasts only for four years. The African leaders should have passed resolutions on the long term and short term measures of addressing youth unemployment and alienation and innovative measures to ensure political stability. It was very touching to hear a youth telling the President that if you cannot prepare the future for us you must at least prepare us for the future."FOROYAA
2. THE POINT NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL: It’s time for action
3. FOLLOWING RECENT AU BBC NEWS ALERT! "WORST DROUGHT FOR AFRICA DECLARED- HORN OF AFRICA HUNGER TRAGEDY 
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Edited by - kobo on 06 Jul 2011 18:15:18 |
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