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jambo
3300 Posts |
 Posted - 12 May 2006 : 14:07:57
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How can we help. I have read many of the postings on the forum lots of mixed messages. Some want outside help, others consider it interference.
It is Gambians in Gambia right now that can make that judgement call. Do you want outside governments to be involved in your country. the involvement can be financially, political or personnel.
What does Gambia want. Bamba, Admin Madiba, Sister Omega and all other educated members of bantaba, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR GAMBIA.
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somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2006 : 17:31:56
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Facinating question, I want to attempt to answer your question, my previous attempts have been unsuccessful, was told to keep trying but i hope will not be accusing of mind reading. I dont not think there is any agreed concensus on the process of achieving better Gambia for every Gambian on the other hand its common knowledge that every Gambian wants a better Gambia.
If you permit me I will re-phrase your question? how can re-create a better Gambia without recking the poor Gambia we already have?
For the Gambia our home land cannot be build by any person except Gambians, its factual that we are pretty much at the bottom of the rock in simplistic terms but to think that outside help will give us all the freedom we are craving for, only reminds me of "Iraq effects".
I can see why some folks are of the view that Gambia's problem is for Gambians to trash out amongst themselves, while on the other hand I can see the imbalance in the power equation, therefore understand others view that help is the only alternative to victory. Personal I think both schools of thought have a point and are reasonable alternatives however I strongly believe that the former should lead rather than the latter. If we want to achieve our freedom with dignity and integrity we need to take a responsible lead, just like the Mandelas, the Bikos, the Walters of SouthAfrica, for the latter can achieve achieve an "Iraq freedom" just like the Jalafaris, the talabanis.
Similary lets not over estimate the problem with the hope that such efforts will bring help soon. I believe the magnitude of our problem is often exergerated playing directly into the hands of tyrant. Our only problem is Jammeh, its not the whole institution of Quandrangle, therefore it should be easier to dislodge a individual than an institution. We (Gambians) wants to dislodge Jammeh but there seems to be no concrete, dependable and measureable plan to achieving such a goal, its all scanty and patchy and all over the place to say the least. Until that day when we wake up from the slumber with a "can do" phychology not the "cannot do" mentallity, we wont disable the tyrant. Peace |
Edited by - somita on 12 May 2006 17:36:53 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2006 : 18:16:28
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As A SOVEREIGN NATION, Gambians have to find solutions to their problems. That is more sustainable and it builds our capacity to manage change. I don’t like outside interference in the internal affairs of a country. If a country has a brutal dictator, the people should rise on their terms and make the change. Otherwise, it will be considered normal for other countries to dictate to us what and who can be our leader.
I personally believe, with all my postings that Gambians have not been pushed yet to want to change their government and i respect that even though i would personally want to see a change of leadership. Well that is democracy and i respect it. If the majority puts Junkung back in office this November, then we should respect the will of the people. I will give him the respect he deserves.
Gambians have to bring about the change themselves.
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2006 : 18:25:52
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quote:
Originally posted by somita
Until that day when we wake up from the slumber with a "can do" phychology not the "cannot do" mentallity, we wont disable the tyrant.
Somita, your words sound very reasonable. Though I am not sure that if you get rid of one 'Jammeh', the next isn't waiting for his turn at the moment, the importance of the psychology of 'can do' can't be overestimated.
Just yesterday I found a nice little article by C. George Boeree about Freudian psychologist Erik Erikson (1902-1993). Erikson describes the psychology of individual development from earliest childhood to old age. For the 'latency stage' (age about 6 to 12), according to Erikson, Boeree states: "If the child is allowed too little success..., then he or she will develop instead a sense of inferiority or incompetence. An additional source of inferiority Erikson mentions is racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination: If a child believes that success is related to who you are rather than to how hard you try, then why try?"
Though examples can never fit 100%, I thought of the psychology that may be at work with the - still young - African nations, who are in a vast extent discouraged by their experience of racism. Therefore, like you I would prefer to stop the weakening and discouraging 'aid'. Maybe this is the only chance for Gambia/Africa to re-discover its competence. |
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twinkly
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2006 : 18:29:14
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Eventhough I am probably not one of those educated members you refer to , I'd still like to congratulate Kondorong for this statement, what wise words. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2006 : 18:35:47
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quote:
Originally posted by twinkly
Eventhough I am probably not one of those educated members you refer to, I'd still like to congratulate Kondorong for this statement, what wise words.
You SEE TWINKY I AM NOT EITHER.
I JUST HAPPEN TO LIKE THE GAMBIA AND I STILL HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR MY COUNTTRY. I WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY DEAR TO ME. I WOULD LOVE TO SERVE IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION MORE SO WITH THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT TEACHERS AND EDUCATION IN THE GAMBIA.
RIGHT NOW I NEED TO READ AND BE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGE AND I DONT THINK I AM COMPETENT TO HANDLE ANYTHING SUGNIFICANT RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2006 : 05:41:18
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quote:
Originally posted by somita
Facinating question, I want to attempt to answer your question, my previous attempts have been unsuccessful, was told to keep trying but i hope will not be accusing of mind reading. I dont not think there is any agreed concensus on the process of achieving better Gambia for every Gambian on the other hand its common knowledge that every Gambian wants a better Gambia.
If you permit me I will re-phrase your question? how can re-create a better Gambia without recking the poor Gambia we already have?
In my opinion average Gambians don't know what they want. Even if they know what they want there problem is knowing what you want, how to get it or get them, structure them, promote and market them, implement them and make them sustainable? There are a lot of complexities involved to identify what is available and what do we need, what are the priorities, what is feasible and not?, etc?
In as much as know what we want, how to get it or get them, structure them, promote and market them, implement them and make them sustainable, eventually we can re-create a better Gambia and achieve what we want. Achieving what we want may be a myth in reality! Also what do Gambia wants may never be anwswered as divergence of opinions, complexity of society and scarcity of resources to make ends meet.
However it is my opinion that Education is considered one of the most important for Gambians. If they are educated they would be well inform, more intellegent and logical ready, able to seek and implement proper, sound, genuine and feasible solutions and take appropriate actions.
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Edited by - kobo on 13 May 2006 11:59:49 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2006 : 17:18:22
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kobo, can i ask how will get the education. if you printed information how would you get it to the villagers. is there a mayor akollo for the district that would take this on board. Does each district have governor or elder states person that could do this.
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2006 : 19:29:30
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
kobo, can i ask how will get the education. if you printed information how would you get it to the villagers. is there a mayor akollo for the district that would take this on board. Does each district have governor or elder states person that could do this.
Jambo I find it difficult to understand your question. However I would attempt to clarify, in more comprehensive terms why do we need "Education" especially for the masses in Gambian context? Education makes them read, write, communicate, develops their potentials to be smarter, advance, manipulative or innovative and have more options open to address their needs and/or for their betterment or non-betterment of society or mankind based on raw material data and information use. To achieve education it could either be formal or non-formal. We need certain structures, institutions for e.g schools, libraries, civic centres etc and othercommunication media ranging from tvs, radios and the press to have formal education. We can achieve in any fora for e,g at community bantabas, social gatherings, discussions, political rallies, meetings generally etc where issues or anything that interests the idividual{s} or public is being discussed providesinformal education.
What Gambia wants is to make education meaningful?
Education is more meaningful in political context for Gambians, if they are ready to use it and effect radical changes and settle the complex political crises for betterment of Gambians, in my opinion.
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Edited by - kobo on 14 May 2006 20:30:12 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 08:15:28
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In UK the two things that have made the most difference to working class peoples lives are FREE education for all and FREE health care for all.
If the Gambian government could provide both of those what a difference that would make to peoples lives. Perhaps the coalition could form on the basis of TRYING to work towards providing this?
They would surely be elected!
Flash cars, new roads, electricity etc etc etc.....should ALL take second place to these two social policies in my view.
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 08:36:28
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| Kobo, if you have not been to university i will sponsor you to go. My question really was this if you want to have your message told the communites how do you get it to them. to educated them on their rights. i was thinking in the short term for the forth coming elections. I say this because information seems to be slow in getting to the villages. is their a formal channel of communition, such as the governors or alkolo. If the people know their rights they can make an informed decision. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 09:50:16
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
Kobo, if you have not been to university i will sponsor you to go. My question really was this if you want to have your message told the communites how do you get it to them. to educated them on their rights. i was thinking in the short term for the forth coming elections. I say this because information seems to be slow in getting to the villages. is their a formal channel of communition, such as the governors or alkolo. If the people know their rights they can make an informed decision.
I have not been to University and I really welcome that. Can you compare your previous postings and this one , you will admit to yourself it was meaningless. This one also is trying to change your context with fresh ideas and new questions with some missing words to make it clear to me. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 10:00:25
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| I think i understand what you are saying. I type as am i thinking. if we had a face to face discussion i would be just as questioning and afterwards be thinking, that is not what i meant to say. but that is the reason BANTABA. |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 10:13:44
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
I think i understand what you are saying. I type as am i thinking. if we had a face to face discussion i would be just as questioning and afterwards be thinking, that is not what i meant to say. but that is the reason BANTABA.
What about paying for my University education? |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 13:43:19
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Jambo thanks for the question I think apprioprate education is the key to Gambian liberation. The aid senario perpetuates dependency that is my agrument about the loose term of "help". I think it's much more beneficial to transfer skills so that people can learn skills that will in turn lead to nation building, starting from the principle of; "Each one teach one." So that poor people are given opportunity to help themselves and become more self sufficient. International trade laws need to be changed to allow the inclusion of Africa into the trade mechanism on an equitable level playing field basis. So that the continent will be able to get a greater slice of the economic pie instead of being locked into the international economic paradigm as a primary producer, coupled with this the Developed nations priviledges of expliotation of Africa's natural resources must be curtailed, in reality, they should pay more for the natural resources that they buy from Africa. This point has been overlooked by Africans because of the countless distractions placed in their way to stop us from focusing on economics, we have fallen into the trap of concentrating on politricks. Whilst others take advantage of Africa's political instability grabbing our resources for next to nothing.The question arises why is Africa and its people so poor, and the African continent has been blessed with the richest natural resources on the face of the planet, and which people are benefitting from this state of affairs, and why? Then sew up the loop-hole. Again better education for African's will in the future provide a better defence for Africa as a whole, and this is one of the main reasons why the AID paradigm was constructed to keep Africa on her knees with a begging bowl.
As for a more Equitable Social Policy, there needs to be greater consultation amongst the general African public, and therefore African governments and communitiy groups to create an atmosphere of social participation for the masses to get involved in nation building that's where freedom of speech comes into play and responsibilism.
As Gambia has attempted to create a system of universial education which is not fully completed as yet. This is a step in the right direction. However once the population becomes more educated people will think for themselves and they are harder to control or to toe the line. Therefore it's the political framework that needs to become more flexible to facilitate such changes instead of polarising them.
I think this is where a supranational body comes into play that provides a higher court for the Africa countries and encompasses Human Rights under the remit of the African Union. So that no single person including Heads of State are immune to laws governing the whole of the continent.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 15 May 2006 13:50:45 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2006 : 14:14:24
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sister omega, education is the only way forward and the more people that complete education the better. i amsad when i read that education cuts are to be made in the gambian budget. they hardly receive anything now.
how can that be re-addressed. Only gambians can do that but who would step forwarded. |
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