END
OF YEAR MESSAGE
BY
HIS
EXCELLENCY, MR. ADAMA BARROW PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
31ST
DECEMBER 2018
Fellow
Gambians,
Friends of The
Gambia,
Distinguished
Listener and Viewers,
The
wheel of another year has come full cycle, as today marks the end of 2018. In
view of all the successes registered in the year, it is with pride,
satisfaction and appreciation that I dedicate this message to all of you.
Reflecting
on the past, 2017 was a historic year in the annals of this country. It marked
the crucial turning point in the history of The Gambia and a welcome change of
government. It was the year that, together, we won the battle against
dictatorship, tyranny and fear. Furthermore, it was the year we laid the
foundation for a truly democratic government.
Unfortunately,
2017 had bleak undertones. We came face-to-face with the realities of the
economy; uncovered how the national wealth was plundered; and, sadly,
discovered the nature and extent of the horrible crimes that were committed
against the citizens of this country. The revelations and facts were terrible.
With
much relief, 2018 will be remembered in the years ahead as the year we broke
down barriers and unlocked the doors to success, progress and development. It
has been a year of success, inspiration, renewed optimism and hope. The result
is that we have been inspired to believe in ourselves and build confidence to
run the affairs of this nation. We are convinced that, acting together, we can
achieve whatever tasks and targets we set ourselves.
The
whole world has opened up to The Gambia, and we have been re-admitted as
respectable and dignified members of the comity of nations. The diplomatic
relations and renewed friendships established, or mutually deepened with other
countries and organisations, such as the European
Union and the Commonwealth, are clear examples.
With
consolation, the economy that made us nervous, has now been revived - thanks,
most especially, to the European Union for spearheading the Brussels meeting in
May of this year. Of course, we will ever remain grateful to all other
international organisations and friends
who have stood by us.
It
is obvious that realistic plans with clear goals, targets, indicators and strategies are essential for national
development. In this light, the launch of the 2018 - 2021 National Development
Plan was another key achievement of the year. To cite a few more examples,
other achievements registered during the year include the Legislative and Local
Government Elections; the setting up of three important commissions; namely:
the Constitution Review Commission, the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission and the Commission on
the activities of the former President.
I
am proud to mention, briefly, the successful reforms also initiated by my
government. These embrace the security sector, the civil service and the law
reforms. The list goes on and on. Based on tangible evidence that cannot be
contested, it is conclusive that 2018 has been a year of tremendous success for
the Government and People of The Gambia. I congratulate all citizens and our
friends on these accomplishments.
Fellow
Gambians,
Distinguished
listeners and Viewers,
Life
cannot be rosy all the time. Quite naturally, therefore, 2018 had its dark
side. The Faraba Bantang and Busumbala
incidents, as well as the standoff at the Social Security, Housing and Finance
Corporation, are regrettable examples. In spite of the complexity of the challenges
that emerged during the year, the right approach was adopted and appropriate
action taken in each case.
I
hope that the lessons learnt in the process will prevent the occurrence of such
events.
The
change of government last year sparked off a lot of political agitation and
activity, which continue to gain momentum in the country. This is part of
democracy. Nevertheless, the debates and discourses that underlie political
activities should be decent, constructive, positively productive and unifying.
This cannot be attained in the absence of discipline, proper education and
orientation, maintaining the rule of law and respect for one another.
In
a young democracy, such as ours, politics should be handled with tack and
caution. In these circumstances, there is need for national unity to ensure
that there are no cracks that enemies of the state can exploit.
Distinguished
Listeners and Viewers,
The
end of any year serves as a reminder of the importance of time in relation to
how it drifts away unnoticed; how we grow older; yet, how more mature and wise
we become. It reminds us of the urgency to attend to unfinished business and to
rededicate ourselves to our duties and responsibilities.
Time
and tide wait for no one. As a result, we must not fail to shoulder our
responsibilities promptly. It is particularly unrealistic if we fail due to
negligence, laziness, indifference, passivity or any other vice that deters
progress. Let us be forward-looking, innovative, genuine and steadfast in order
to realise greater achievements.
This
is the right moment to make resolutions for the coming year so that we can be
more productive as a nation. Accordingly, I propose that we resolve that each
passing minute, hour, day, week and month of the year will be spent most
usefully, most wisely and most productively so that we can accomplish as much
as feasible.
I
advise all institutions to update their Action Plans, and devise ways of
addressing the bottlenecks encountered during the year. Success begins with
proper planning.
Fellow
Gambians,
There
has been a lot of talk about citizenship, rights and entitlements. This is
lawful; but, citizenship is not only about fighting for rights and a share of
the national cake.
More
importantly, citizenship is about belonging to a nation and contributing to the
creation, development and expansion of the national cake. In real terms, the
national cake is the national wealth, with everything that goes with it.
Like
democracy, the national wealth is the creation of all citizens, out of the
contributions of all citizens and for all citizens to enjoy. As it is a
responsibility to defend one’s rights, so is it a responsibility to build and
protect the national wealth. Successful nations have demonstrated this quite
amply. Their human resource base has been at the core of their development.
Where natural resources did not exist, they used their brains to fetch them
from wherever they could. As the human resource of this country, our collective
challenge is to develop the country through our natural and acquired endowments.
Ultimately, instead of struggling to search for greener pastures elsewhere,
other nationals should struggle to come and live in The Gambia. The youth, in
particular, have a future here, and we invite and urge them to stay put and
work with us.
On
the issue of crime and security, let us support the Security Services, and
provide community support systems for them. This can be done if all citizens
stand firm against crime, especially against illegal drugs, robbery, murder and
corruption. Our development and happiness depend on the degree of our freedom,
peace, stability and ability to attain our noble goals. The more we are committed
to these noble values, the more we succeed. Let the security, peace and unity
of the people come first before any other considerations. This is what good
citizenship and selflessness entail.
Our
successes in 2017 and 2018 provide sufficient evidence and assurances of better
days to come. At the current rate of development, every Gambian should be encouraged
to stand by my government, be sincere to the nation and do the utmost to repel all
agents of disunity, evil and backwardness.
Fellow
Gambians,
Friends
of The Gambia,
Distinguished
listeners and viewers,
It
is evident that we must have lost dear ones during the year - be they family,
friends, neighbours, colleagues or other close associates. Some of us may have
had bitter experiences or encountered difficulties. Therefore, I extend my
condolences and prayers to all bereaved families. For all those in difficulty,
I pray that ease comes your way. May 2019 be much better, much more peaceful
and much more fulfilling than 2018 for every one of us.
Wishing
all of us, together, brighter days and a more productive and prosperous year
ahead, I pray that the Almighty God continues to bless the nation, bless our
efforts and grant us perpetual success through His divine help.
I
wish you all a very happy, peaceful and prosperous 2019.
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