First, let me say thanks without mentioning names to all those who have contributed to this agenda and shared their views. Also happy to see contributions from the homeland depicting the true reality of what's going on. In all, I have received 36 contributions all around the planet. I've attempted to pin 167 issues into 5 broad topics. If I've left anything out, please alert me. Here's the list: 1. LACK OF POLITICAL STABILITY: Corruption, poor leadership, democracy, human rights violation, freedom of press. 2. LACK OF EDUCATION: Lack of good educational programs, workshops, low morale, social awareness, scholarships, job incentives. 3. LACK OF PROPER PLANNING & AUDITING BODIES: accountability, development projects etc. 4. AGRICULTURE: Subsidizing and Awareness programs, farming incentives. 5. LACK OF BASIC NECESSITIES: Health, Electricity, water, roads, promote the arts and sports facilities. The question to address next would be: "WHY DO YOU THINK THESE INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST IN THE GAMBIA". For example, I would attack point 4 as follows: The Gambia has no natural resources of significant value (maybe kaolin) and therefore almost 70% of the country's revenue comes from agriculture. However, farming technigues in The Gambia are primitive for the most part. Production is low and not much effort is made by both present and past governments to help icrease output. Most farmers' dreams were filled with promises of better farming tools which never turned to any reality. As a result, little hope and motivation is left from the land. Farmers are growing crops at the subsistence level since there are no ways and means of transporting their crops to the ports for sale. Lack of good roads also contributed to this dilemma. Some farmers actually cross over to neighboring Senegal for better price offers. Agricultural unions have failed in most parts of the country due to poor accountability, fraud and lack of responsibility. I am sure some of you have a better insight to this topic, and so please share it with all. Choose any topic(s) of interest and address it with "WHY YOU THINK SUCH A PROBLEM STILL PERSIST TODAY." Again a second compilation will be done. Hope to see more that a 100 postings for these topics this round. You may attach any literature to your postings to support your views if necessary. As usual, feel free to post your comments on the L or send a personal email to [log in to unmask] (where your confidentiality is guaranteed). CURE THE GAMBIA! Essa __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------