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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Feb 2007 : 12:53:31
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GAMBIA MARKS 42nd INDEPDNDENCE ANNIVERSARY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Suwaibou Touray
The Gambia on Saturday, February 18th, marked its 42nd Independence anniversary.
The event was observed, as usual, in a parade by school children, security forces, cultural groups and ordinary citizens at the July 22nd Square in Banjul.
The acting Mayoress of Banjul, Mam Sai Njie-Sanneh, delivered the President's address to the nation on his behalf.
Mam Saye Njie said among other things she was delighted and proud to address Gambians on this auspicious day marking the 42nd anniversary of The Gambia's attainment of independence.
The acting said it is pertinent to reiterate the need to reassess our strengths and shortcomings in order to focus our energies and efforts towards greater achievements of our national development aspirations.
"Being a patriot and to contribute effectively to national development has to begin with an appreciation of our cultural heritage and our national circumstances including the attendant predicaments and comparative advantages" she said.
She asserted that a nation cannot thrive in the absence of peace, security and social cohesion, and as we continue to evolve as a democratic nation, we must anchor all of these ideals to the democratic precepts, practices and principles that we have grown over the years.
On patriotism and pragmatism, Madame Njie-Sanneh said, we need to take this a step further to establish development-oriented social groups and committees in our communities and regions. She also said the youth, in particular, have a lead role in this regard, that the destiny of this nation will ultimately fall into their hands; that the earlier the youths realise this and begin to respond effectively and positively towards shaping the common destiny, the better for us all.
Regarding the five years term, she said her government is pursuing an all round national development and growth programme that will yield economic and political independence, social emancipation from poverty, deprivation, disease, want, squalor and all the vices and social ills that would deter progress and self determination as a people.
The acting Mayoress, speaking on behalf of the president, reiterated that as stated in Vision 2020, she has the declaration and determination to transform the Gambia into an economic giant in Africa.
To take our rightful place in the International Community as a proud nation, she said, we must begin at home by reducing the poverty levels of the people; that poverty has been fluctuating over the years and presently estimated at about 68% in the rural areas and 40 in the urban areas. She said poverty reduction is a key component of her government's policy.
According to the president speech, income generation and improvement, especially through investment in the social sectors, such as agriculture, health, education and infrastructure is a cardinal development objective of the government, but that people have to work their way out of poverty by abandoning "bantabas" and vous and strive to make a living out of all the opportunities and conducive environment government and development partners are creating.
On elections, she said the government has now been given the mandate to be at the helm of affairs for five years and called on people to put aside their political affiliations and come together to work in the interest of the nation.
On the issue of HIV/AIDS, she said they have made an important breakthrough in seeking a solution to it and that they acknowledge the complications inherent in it. She also said they have now found a remedy for the disease, and urged people to maintain such social habits not to entrench the pandemic within the communities. He also calls on all those who are infected by it to come forward to be treated and not to hide for fear of exposure.
She then finally thanked the armed forces, the school children and teachers, cultural groups and various organizing committees and prayed to Allah to bless the country and shower his mercies and favour on all of us.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 020/2007, 19-20 February, 2007
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