Lamin/Folks,
I wish to add my voice to those of other respondents that your question is
indeed a pertinent one. However, I must quickly add that it is almost
impossible to get a simple and direct answer for it. This is because
Development itself is a complex issue and there are as many models for
Development as there are Theories for Development based on which one can
analyse and make academic judgements on a Development scenario.
Furthemore, what constitutes poverty is still a controversial topic among
scholars of Development. In instances where culture is regarded as an
important element in Development Analysis, it may be misleading to regard
certain societies as poor when their cultures dictate against " material
accumulation". The forces that drive Modern Capitalist Development, manifest
elements of individualism and greed, which are detested by all the cultures
in The Gambia. With these points in mind,lets look at some points which are
of relevance in answer to your question.
Firstly, when the British colonialists created The Gambia initially as their
sphere of influence and then colony and protectorate, our country had in
effect become a bastion of subjugation and exploitation. Accordingly,
policies and structures were instituted to realise these objectives. The
statecraft which emerged, thus became an instrument for subjugation and
exploitation. The Economic, Political and Administrative structures that
were put in place, were all designed with these goals in mind.
The attainment of independence on the other hand, was supposed to usher in
an era of freedom which should in turn, create the opportunity for National
Development. But the structures created by the colonialists fundamentally
serve as the basis for even those created after 1965. Thus the very
structures we are supposed to depend on to realise our Development
objectives, undermind our very efforts for Development. This problem has
been further aggravated by the fact that we still maintain the same external
relations with countries and institutions which have masterminded our
subjugation and explotation from the Slave Trade, through Colonisation,
De-colonisation and the various Economic and Structural development or
adjustment programmes, to Capitalist Corporate Expansionism or
Globalization.
Secondly, there has not emerged in The Gambia a body of
academics/intellectuals and or politicians, who are commited to effecting a
turn around in both the policy and institutional frameworks for Development
in the country. The same old jargons like Development Partners and
Traditional Allies pervade officialdom, yet it is undeniable that these are
those who have become masters at exploiting our resources. Gambian
intellectuals generally sigh away from revolutionay thinking and action,
thus our nation lacks a relevant indigenuous theoretical basis on which a
sound Development Plan can be placed.
It is no surprise that since our politicians are basically from the lower
reaches of what I wish to call the intellectual ladder, their performances
are even more laughable. They merely indulge in micmicries and recyling of
old stuffs like " Singaporisation" and " Vision 2020". Perhaps " Tesito"
would have been a great thing if it was not characterized by " baboon work
and monkey eat". Unfortunate for The Gambia, politics is seen as "not good
enough for good persons", and as a result our best brains are distracted
away from it.
The constitution of The Gambia envisages a multi-party political culture,
which without doubts is bound to reflect the socio-economuc and cultural
diversities in the country . I hope this is not what is being misrepresented
as " lack of unity". Most of The Gambia is still rural notwithstanding the
fact that now almost half of the country's population lives in the mostly
semi-urban Greater Banjul Area. It is therefore not strange that most of us
see ourselves as Serer, Fulani, Mandinka or wollof before promoting our
Gambian identity. The day we are effectively abled to reverse this reality,
it would make manifold contribution to National Development, as we begin to
give priority to the things and issues that are of relevance to our
collectivity as Gambians.The realization of this reversal is of paramount
importance to National Development, and it represents a sacred duty for all
Gambians, especially those who regard themselves as "educated".
Omar Joof.
>From: Lamin Keita <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [>-<] WHY GAMBIA IS STILL NOT DEVELOPED?
>Date: Tue, 17 May 2005 19:43:46 +0100 (BST)
>
>[ This e-mail is posted to Gambia|Post e-Gathering by Lamin Keita
><[log in to unmask]> ]
>
>
>Can my fellow readers help me with suggestions that
>outlined why Gambia is still not developed as
>expected to be?
>Comparing and putting into considerationg our
>intellectual capacity in the diaspora.Not to talk
>about human resources and income generating avenue at
>home besides, a Gambian still live below an average
>income of a dollar.It becomes a nightmere, according
>to some researchers that the total amount of yearly
>income sent to the Gambia by people in the diaspora
>sum up to 13.5 billion compare to the annual budget of
>the country ,yet the Gambia seems to be a comsumer
>dependent than the producer one.
>
>This is really amazing and it needs an urgent address
>by our politicians ,intellectuals and by every
>individual Gambian.It will be far fetch conclution
>only to apportion the blame on one direction without
>finding the possible means of solutions to avert the
>"social psyche" as i will put it.
>
>thanks, your suggestions and solutions are welcome
>
>
>
>___________________________________________________________
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>
>
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