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By Basidia M. Drammeh
Gambian politics has long been centered and pivoted around personality cult rather than substantive and tangible policies for which politicians could be held accountable. The majority of Gambians, since the country attained nationhood, have always voted along tribal, ethnic, or religious lines. There are many others who also vote in anticipation of the little cash dished out by corrupt politicians to buy a bag of rice or sugar.
Securing a position for oneself or a relative is another factor that cannot be overlooked. On the other hand, a very few votes based on the ideas and policies put forth by a particulate candidate or party vying for public office. The phenomenon, in my viewpoint, has significantly contributed to the retardation of our country, alongside many African nations, for over half a century and there is no hope in sight that the status quo will change unless and until the mindset changes first.
For this very reason, I believe it is high time that we lent ears to the likes of Dr. Ismaila Ceesay. A dynamic academic and politician who harbors a burning ambition for a better Gambia.
In his interview with the Kerr Fatu’s flagship Brunch show, which touched on a wide range of issues, Dr. Ceesay stated that the 1965 election was about nationhood and independence whereas the 2016 election was all about democracy and human rights. The head of the University of Gambia’s Political Science Department, therefore, emphasized that the upcoming 2021 election should revolve around the best ideas to lift the country out of its current situation. Dr. Ceesay, a founding member of the Citizens’ Alliance, a newly formed political party, dwelled on the ailments of the country and outlined his vision to remedy the situation.
The pragmatic and intelligent academic is a strong believe that education and health reforms are paramount to turn around the fortunes of the Smiling Coast of Africa. Though many people view Covid-19 in a negative light, Dr. Ceesay opined that the pandemic has offered unprecedented opportunities for the nation in as much as it has laid bare its vulnerabilities, calling on the University of the Gambia to set up E-learning centers.
Expounding on the lack of vision in the management of the country. Dr. Ceesay bemoaned space scarcity for infrastructural development, as all land in urban areas, has been turned into real estate outlets, stores for rent and petrol stations, at the expense of green and recreational space as well as youth hubs and other facilities, to mention a few. “We are selling every piece of our land without thinking or planning for the future. There will be a time when there will be no football filed in this country because all the land is being sold to real estate agencies which are not regulated.”
He, therefore, thinks that future development would take place in rural areas. “The future of this country is in the rural Gambia which should be the nucleolus of development in this country because that is where there is space.” Dr. Ceesay stressed that the Gambia belongs to all, including the generations yet to be burn.
As such, the political analyst is of the view that a plan should be in place to anticipate and strategize for current and future challenges. I would like to re-echo Dr. Ceesay’s assertion that the upcoming election should be focused on ideas.
We must graduate from the old school of being manipulated by shallow political rhetoric and on the receiving end of the pittances dished out by politicians to buy their way to power after buying our loyalty, dignity, and most importantly our destiny. Isn’t time that we give the young generation a chance to try their hand after 50 years of poverty, backwardness, and maladministration?