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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Feb 2010 : 18:48:32
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Dailynews Editorial Development is not Confined to Good Governance
Development is totally different from good or bad governance. Development has little to do with good or bad governance. The two are separate words with different meanings. A country under a leadership in which both development and good governance are blended is an ideal state.
The building of schools, hospitals and other facilities are signs of development and are most welcomed. Such is normally possible with the availability of funds and making best use of those funds always gives credit to the government no matter who leads it. Governments in many cases play a role in influencing such developments. The right business climate has to be created and the people must operate without fear of any sort.
In most cases the private sector does participate in such developments, as they engage themselves in the building of schools, hospitals and many other construction works. The private sector under a favorable business climate can easily uplift the face of any nation. They can bring about change over night.
Let’s look around the Gambia. More especially around the Tourism Development Area (TDA), not all those magnificent structures are government built. The hotels, the restaurants, the supper markets and other structures, most of them are contributions of the private sector.
The private sector needs a pat on the back, for their continuous contributions to national development. Development as I said has little to do with good governance. But at some point it will be under a very difficult condition if the proper climate is not provided by governments.
Good governance is the provision of protection of the rights of the people, the observance and maintenance of a democratic environment, the right to freedom of information, a good climate for freedom of the press. A state where people’s rights to life are strongly safe guarded. A state where disappeared people’s issues are taken very seriously and serious search mounted to bring the perpetrators to book.
Good governance is where there are equal rights of all political players and an equal playing ground for those who choose to take up politics. In that the public media should be available at all times for all political stakeholders. In a good governance situation there should not have been any political disappearances, or media practitioners disappearing in thin air in broad daylight. Good governance is a situation where the rule of law has to be respected by all.
Fear of speaking one’s mind has no place in a situation where there is good governance. The rule of law has to apply to all irrespective of who is who. Good governance has much more than structures, more so physical structures, but rather good governance has to provide a free mind to speak, write and do anything in sofaras the things one writes, says or does, do not infringe on the rights of others. Once that is possible then there is good governance.
Source: DailyNews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2010 : 01:05:09
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The human condition is somewhat like the belly. It's never satisfied. Feed me! Feed me! I'm hungry. I'll feed you! I'll feed you! Here you are shoosh now! Thanks That quite alright Me hungry me hungry  Feed me! feed me!!!, and so on and so forth.
It is true to say that development is not confined to good goverance after all many of the rich nations established without Human Rights or Justice.
Each individual own their own development and therefore needs to believe in their own capabilities to improve their conditions by looking within inside of look externally for all the answers. It's an easy way out for all of us to blame our governments however ultimately it's about what individuals can do for themselves and others. Be the change you want to see. As demonstrated in the quotes about the vibrant private sector in the TDA.
Now if we rewind the clock nine years and returned to 2001. It was the Opposition who thought it to be a prudent move to extricate itself from the National Assembly. Thus creating the political landscape of today. I said it then and I say it again that was a foolish political move to make, truly irresponsible and disrespectful for all the voters who voted for the opposition the votes were made void by their leaders who failed represent their voice in the legalislature. Now is there any wonder why there's an even playing field in the body politics of Gambia.
Mr Darboe isn't and won't be the first leader to ever feel afraid and how many African Leaders have had to stand up in the face of adversity and confront their fears. Instead of turning around deserting the National Assembly, and using the press as its subsitute. Now the Journalists are no longer representatives of the media but are placed in a position where they're the subsitute for the leglistature this is an untenable state of affairs. The Meia Commission Bill is enacted to counteract this situation. Now the muzzle tightens on the press. Let's fast forward to 2010 Darboes strategy has clearly disinfranchaised many people from being included in the political process.
I'd really like to know is this state of affairs unique to Gambia? Where the major oposition boycotts the National Assembly for newspapers, and the internet? They say fact is stranger than fiction.
As the Daily News rightly points out in my view, that Governance is inclusive and that the rule of law governs everyone irrespecive of their political ideology etc. Freedom of Expression is important for nation building. Politicans standing in elections should either take up their seats or if they decide to boycott the NAMs they should be disqualified from the House and their seat can be contested. The people voices must be heard as they are the major stakeholders of in Gambia.
There's no problem Politicians courting the media but when they take up permanent residence that causes nothing but headaches for journalists doing their jobs and writers. How can a nation be informed if Journalists hands are tied or their mouths are muzzled?
Responsible Journalism is important and so are peoples right to privacy as well and at least Gambia media can find a balance.
By the way What department in Gambia is responsible for missing persons and is there an equivalent to CrimeWatch as shown on the BBC on GRTs? Seriously, it would be an important response to the genuine concern (GRTS)of Gambians whose family members and friends have gone missing. I would suggest that the GRTS team take a look at this program check out www bbc.co.uk and see whether or not the Gambia Police need assistance with their enquires regarding the missing people who seem to of disappeared without trace. Maybe it's about time they were tracked. The programme could offer an anynomous phone line to protect the callers identity from being uncovered maybe africel or/ gamcel could sponsor the phoneline. I'm sure this programme will go a long way to solving disappearances, and assist in national reconcilliation amongst stakeholders. By the way guys if you do decide to take my idea at least site me on the production credits
www.sophiasewell-njie.blogspot.com
What say you?
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 26 Feb 2010 01:13:05 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2010 : 12:40:48
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This is what I say,
Excellent idea Sister, are you going to lobby GRT s for the presenters job ?
Sister Omega says:
"By the way What department in Gambia is responsible for missing persons and is there an equivalent to CrimeWatch as shown on the BBC on GRTs? Seriously, it would be an important response to the genuine concern (GRTS)of Gambians whose family members and friends have gone missing. I would suggest that the GRTS team take a look at this program check out www bbc.co.uk and see whether or not the Gambia Police need assistance with their enquires regarding the missing people who seem to of disappeared without trace. Maybe it's about time they were tracked. The programme could offer an anynomous phone line to protect the callers identity from being uncovered maybe africel or/ gamcel could sponsor the phoneline. I'm sure this programme will go a long way to solving disappearances, and assist in national reconcilliation amongst stakeholders. By the way guys if you do decide to take my idea at least site me on the production credits"
End Quote.
Here is a link for GRT s to take a look ? 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/crimewatch/index.shtml? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 26 Feb 2010 12:47:39 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2010 : 13:48:40
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Sister O, I wonder if you are being sarcastic here or not but that's a great idea! This is what Foroyaa amongst others have been asking all these years about people who have been abducted/arrested and have not been taken to the courts and their loved ones have no information if they are dead or alive.
Do you think any reporter at GRTS or businessperson in his/her right mind would take up such a challenge in the Gambia? |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 19:06:47
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Momodou I am being serious!
GRTs would be doing everyone a positive service to launch this initiative. It would enable Gambian Reporters to demonstrate that they are responsible and sincere about bringing investigative Journalism to the fore by highlighting the issue of the disappeared on to the National Agenda by assisting families to find their loved ones.
This would also empower the Gambian people to assist the police in furthering their investigations, assist the government by eradicating internal and external corruption; restoring law and order. Thus spreading transperency and promoting good goverance both at Local and National levels.
A crimewatch type of programme would stop these cases from being a political football.It's benefits will also assist in the reconciliation process and arrest the negative climate of distrust and fear that has distracted people from fully participating in the country's Human and Physical development by pulling Gambian's out of a rut of despire and on to the path of an I can do attitude!
I guess the question most people will ask after reading this post is: Is GRT's brave enough to launch such a service and will Jammeh allow them too? What say you Mr President?
Toubab1020 thanks for the link! brilliant idea Toubab, I'm currently contemplating a career change and would be willing to be a Presenter GRT's just e=mail and let me know when. I'm ready when you are!
Peace
Sister Omega
www.sophiasewell-njie.blogspot.com |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 27 Feb 2010 19:26:12 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 20:19:45
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Good luck Sister Omega,I read what you say, I also read what Momodou said on the subject,I am certain that high powered people in The Gambia keep an eye on Bantaba in Cyberspace and who knows you may just recieve an e mail asking you to present such a programme,if "authority is given" for this idea to take off,would be a good way perhaps to distract the human rights issues that are permiating the administration at the moment.I would however recommend that all defendants appear after charging before Mr Justice Moses Richards
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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