Brother Oku,

As always I enjoyed reading your posting on corruption and your points very
well taken. In the context of Africa in general there has always been huge
debate on corruption. I can understand why everyone seem to be putting the
blame for Africa’s lack of development mainly on corruption, but I am
willing to say that the problems in Gambia have more to do with ignorance
than with corruption. I always believed that ignorance is the worst disease
of our society. I agree corruption is still a problem.

To build a Gambia that is strong and developed, we must nurture the next
generation of Gambians for successful leadership of the future, create an
environment for them that fosters acceptable values. Poverty prevents many
Gambians from gaining access to productive resources, leaves them entangled
in ignorance, and creates in them a general feeling of lack of confidence,
frustration and powerlessness. These conditions lead to corruption of the
mind and these Gambians are forced into unethical ways of doing things.
Education is so powerful a tool that these young Gambians deserve and we
ought to look to in building the future and empowering the Gambian youth.
As the workforce changes due to technological advances, we need to train
youth to think in terms of the future rather than just solving present
problems or past concerns. They need to get employed, be empowered
economically and intellectually, and be prepared for the leadership roles
of the future.

As we discuss the current issues facing our country, the importance of the
surrounding cannot be downplayed. The leaders of today have to be role
models for the leaders of tomorrow. In a situation of poverty, ignorance
and living in a society where ethical values are not communicated, we
cannot expect youth to acquire the values that are contrary to present
society. To create ethical leaders of tomorrow, we need examples of today.
While we focus on the future leaders, we need to remind the current leaders
of their role in creating the future. They have to demonstrate that
decisions are being made with a deep and responsible consideration of the
pro and cons, and should not leave any doubts about their intention, plans
or decision.

We can only define roles for future leaders in settings that permit
transfer of acquired values. To set the stage we need good governance where
transparency and accountability are recognized as key to successful
governance of society. There is still plenty of hope for Gambia as more
Gambians continue to invest in education. With hard work and preparedness,
together, we could do better. Thanks to Khalifa, Sam and Sedia for their
dedication and hard work to fighting ignorance in the Gambia. I wish every
educated Gambia would some day do his/her part to fight ignorance in the
Gambia.

peace

Bulli Mustapha Dibba




On 9 Aug 2004, Oko Drammeh wrote:
> Destroy The Idle
> By Oko
>
> Oh ! People of the Gambia
> Where are our goods?
> Where are our products?
> Where are our national treasures?
>
> Abroad they are taken,depriving the nation
> Food,housing education and prosperity
> We must wipe out corruption and
> These thieves of our common heritage and Crush all the swidlers
>
> Thoes gold diggers of the Gambian Treasury
> Who deeped into shame mercessely and bringing ecomonic fermine
> To our beloved Gambia,To men and women of the Gambia
> We must cut off their dirty hands They have filled their saves with our
> stolen funds
>
> For them and their accomplices
> Everything must be sold
> Dignity and Freedom
> They believe in lies and deceits
> In seeming deafness and blindness
>
> Where are our products
> Where are our agricultural goods
> where are cultural values
> Where are our talents?
>
> The Gambian must rise And hold high
> The light of true justice,The one which provides joy, security and peace
>
> Down with opportuintism-!!! -to hell with corruption and- no to
Disorder!!!
>
> The struggle must be total !!!
>
> Oko Drammeh
> "Resit inorder -to Exist "
> 2004(c) Unedited version.
>
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