It is indeed a painful reading of what our Head of State has to say about the flagging state of our country's economy. I am particular surprised how some of us have completely missed the telltale signs of Jammeh's inability to lead the country. From his speech of last Monday, Jammeh shows his utter ignorance of how a depreciating currency could affect the Jahatoo (Bitter Tomatoes) grower and the Kobo (Bonga) fisherman. These people, the Jahatoo grower and the Kobo fisher, could never be the determinants of a modern national economy, unless Jahatoo and Bonga are a worldwide demand. Since these two products are only for local consumption, it is preposterous to mention them in relation to our national and international economic situation. These people, like the entire nation,  are mere victims of the brigandage and incompetence of Jammeh and those he entrusts to oversee the economy of the state.

Last July while in Banjul, I bought some roots from a vendor at St Mary's School. the next day I decided to increase my stock of the roots, I found out that the price was increased by about 5%. When I asked the vendor, whose name was coincidentally Famara Njie, the reason for the price-hike he simply replied that it was the " foreign change". The friend I was with was furious with the vendor, but I had to restraint him by agreeing with the vendor. Famara Njie, the roots vendor, comes all the way, everyday from Bali in Jokadou. He has four school-going daughters and he is the only breadwinner of the family. The mere understanding of what this man is going through, could make one cry. I did my best to explain to the vendor that the person responsible was his namesake and "Kall", since Njie and Jatta are related in our understanding. The words he had for Famara Jatta, whom he had never heard of, is not for this medium. So, Jammeh's reference to the situation as a "so-called economic crisis" is an plain indication that he has no inkling of what the Gambian people are undergoing.

In his speech, Jammeh addressed the nation like a nursery school "Miss" talking to her ward. This is the arrogance, bordering on insolence, that some of us cannot fathom. How, in heaven's name, can the President of the Gambia categorises some of his subjects as "so-called Gambians"? Jammeh has utterly failed to put in is tiny brains that the Gambia belongs to all Gambians and that there are many Gambians who were Gambians before him. He might have been duly chosen as President of the Gambia, but that does not mean that he knows more than the whole nation. There are certain expressions of Jammeh that should never be reproduced by any newspaper or media-house for that matter, for they corrupt every sane man's intellect. Just take this incoherent and gibberish non-sense and you will know what I am talking about:

 

"We do not want to make life hard for any of those people but we have the terrorism bill and the money laundering bill and hoarding of commodities and currencies is a crime under the Laws of the Gambia.

But because they know now that we know them, I'm giving them till Wednesday to take Whatever foreign currency they hoarded, to take it to the bank. As from now, we will apply the money laundering bill and the anti-terrorism law to the latter and we will have no mercy for anybody in this country. The money laundering bill is very clear. You have foreign exchange, you have to declare. If you don't, we are donating it. If you hold foreign exchange, you have up to Wednesday to send it to the bank because that is what... If not, I don't think you want to donate the money or you want to forfeit... It is not only the responsibility of the security forces; it is the responsibility of every Gambian to stand up for your country.  What I'm seeing does not encourage anybody in Government to sacrifice for the people of this country" 

The first sentence shows that Jammeh does not know the difference between a Bill and a Law, period. In the subsequent paragraph, Jammeh sounds more like a buffoon than a head of state. What does he mean when he says: "...we will apply the money laundering bill and the anti-terrorism law to the latter..."? When it comes to declaring ones "foreign change", as my roots vendor put it,  Jammeh ought to be the first person to tell the nation how he rose from 400 dalasi a month to be so rich that even his great grandchildren will enjoy his wealth. Jammeh was surely not referring to the likes of Baba Jobe and some of his coffle who have amassed so much wealth from dubious practices.

Famara Jatta's dismissal was known since April 2002. Jammeh's inability to find a replacement, is what made him effectuate it this month. Since last year the regime has being doing everything to replace certain members of the government. When Famara Jatta said in August that he will produce an Auditor's Report in December, some of us knew that Famara will not be there in December. Even some members of Gambia-L and GambiaPost were approached to rescue this inept regime. Balla Gaye should know that he is the fifth choice of Jammeh for the post at Finance. During my visit last November, there was widespread talk that a former Manager of the Gambia-L was to be named SOS for Trades and Industries. This man who was known to all Gambia-Lers as the person who coined the slogan "Jammeh Must Go" and even had a website called Freegambia.com but later was convinced by the Kombo Silo and some loose statement by Jammeh to believe that Jammeh was the right person for the Gambia. One does not have to come from Gunjur to know who I am alluding to.

There are certain abstracts in the English language that one has to have up to his dying day, and these are some: Conscience, Self-respect, Integrity and Principles. These are some of the qualities of disposition that make a man real. If Balla Gaye wants to be one of Jammeh's "Talala", to rescue the "Jahatoo"and "Bonga" economy that is up to him and that will never diminish the consonance of our youth but will surely put a dent to the honour that was. Some of us thought that Balla would have learned from the experience of his distant cousin - Pap Cheyassin Secka. Well, some people just do not learn.

Prince

NB

Joe Sambou, I owe you a 2 litres of "Panna". The stuff cost 25 dalasi a litre nowadays so it is an expensive treat. George, I will get to you as soon as my job-load recedes. 

 

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