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Momodou
Denmark
11855 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 20:31:01
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Foroyaa Editorial:
THE ECONOMY OF CEREMONIES, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND STATE VISITS
The children were under the hot sun for hours. They were hungry and thirsty. Many teachers were also out to wait for the arrival of the President of Guinea Bissau.
Interestingly enough, after standing for 6 hours, they could only have a glimpse of the two presidents, as the convoy moved quickly out of the sight of the gazing children.
This was just at repetition of what happened during the visit of the President of Sierra Leone.
Many people have been asking how much it is costing the state to host heads of state or their representatives during Independence celebrations, the celebration of the birth of the President’s son and the visit of the two heads of state to The Gambia. It costs millions to finance all these activities, while many people are currently living in poverty. More than 50% of the population is living on less than 1 dollar a day. Unemployment and low wages are at their peak. Food prices have forced many families to depend on 1 meal a day.
The agricultural producers cannot have a reliable market for their produce.
After four days of tour, the Presidents go back to their executive mansions while the young people go back to congested rooms with mosquitoes and bed bugs serving as their obstacle to deep sleep.
What is there to be gained by hosting such elaborate visits?
The president should bear in mind that the success of a government is determined by its capacity to enhance liberty and prosperity. Any government which keeps the vast majority of the people poor, ignorant and deprived of basic rights has no moral authority to be seen as a success story which is worthy of emulation.
Hence, any head of state who is impressed with the level of liberty and prosperity in The Gambia is equally acknowledging that he or she is presiding over the affairs of a nation that is worse than The Gambia, in terms of deprivation of liberty and high prevalence of poverty. The only head of state who can claim success is one whose people live in liberty, dignity and prosperity.
That is the type of nation all people in the sub region yearn to live under.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 47/2008, 23 – 24 April 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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