 |
| President Adama Barrow |
Consultative
Dialogue on the
Theme:
Stake
in the Nation:
Attaining
Progress in the New Gambia
Date:13th
January 2018
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, it is a blessing indeed that I stand before you today
to deliver the first Stake in the Nation address. I speak with you about the
challenges, opportunities and the actions that we must all take, whether we are
at home and abroad. We all have stake in ensuring we attain progress in our
beloved country, the New Gambia. For nearly a generation, our
time, resources and efforts were spent to oppose, counter and defeat the
dictatorship and the brutality it represented.
One year after our
victory, I proclaim to the nation that never again shall we suffer the brutality,
humiliation and the injustice of dictatorship or accept the victimization of
our people. We should now fight for the
best course of actions. We have a National Development Plan (NDP) and we must
focus on the having operational excellence to succeed its implementation.
We must be vigilant against the fundamental
development challenges we face; and be vigilant
for the new opportunities we have created for ourselves. We all fought
to give us the freedom and human rights stolen from us for too long. Therefore,
let us be humble, honest and open in our reflections; and accept our
shortcomings and learn the appropriate lessons. As I said in my statement to
the Gambian diaspora in New York last September, “a government that listens and learns is a government that improves and
succeeds”.
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, we must be
vigilant against the problem of a dysfunctional public sector. As President
of the Republic, I urge all ministries and all citizens to embrace nation
building, with dignity for the Gambian people. Those of us elected or appointed
to public office are obliged to safeguard the human, civil and development rights
of citizens, and to provide quality services to the citizens. This is an obligation in our political, social
and legal contracts. My administration believes that fundamental and
enlightened change is needed in the public sector.
The anniversary of the
formation of the coalition government is an occasion for reflection. We will
continue to pursue the public sector reform programme for comprehensive change to
entrench public interest in the services.
The Gambia needs a
modern, professional, credible and well-motivated civil and public service who
would live up to their oath to serve without fear, favour or ill will. Our reforms will attract and retain the best
skilled and most experienced. Competence and performance will be rewarded,
whilst support and incentives will be provided to stimulate professional
development. Incompetence, unfairness and indifference have no place in the
public sector of the New Gambia.
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, we must be
vigilant against the problem of corrupt practices. My administration
declares intolerance to all forms of corrupt and fraudulent practices.
Misappropriation of funds, bribery and corruption in public office are illegal,
disgraceful as well as breed mis-trust, and negative acts.
In the New Gambia, public
office is a means for noble service for the good of the people. My
administration is working to create a vibrant social economy, facilitating
legitimate wealth creation through provision of socially beneficial goods and
services.
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, we must be
vigilant for the opportunity of
infrastructure-led development. We need good roads and other social
amenities, such as water, energy and sewerage systems to complement the
development of private citizens and communities. If we have appropriate and
world class infrastructure in place, that can trigger the medium and long term
transformation of The Gambia from a country with high levels of unemployment
and poverty, to medium income status. We have the opportunity
to create a growing and inclusive economy that provides well-paid and
sustainable jobs for all levels of skills.
Infrastructure and energy
investments will fuel our economy, sustained by merit-based career, enterprise
and wealth creation opportunities maximally utilising Gambia’s human resources.
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, we must be
vigilant for the opportunity of
diaspora-development. The enormous capacity, capabilities and
potentials of the diaspora are not fully utilised by The Gambia. This is a loss
to our country. My administration
recognises the Gambian Diaspora as the Eighth Region of The Gambia.
In September 2017, I
declared that 15 December to 14 January as Gambia Diaspora Month, for Gambians
across the world to come home, meet family, network amongst themselves, meet
government officials, explore projects and ventures, and generally find ways to
enhance their practical engagement in Gambian development. I am glad that hundreds of Gambians have
responded positively. They have spent
millions of dollars in the real economy, engaging with existent and new
partners, and generally exploring and enjoying their productive engagement in
their motherland.
My administration,
through the new Gambia Diaspora Directorate and other mechanisms, will seek to
remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers; assist diaspora individuals and
organisations to implement their projects; in order to enhance diaspora
interventions to create jobs and improve development outcomes. We need to protect irregular, young
and vulnerable migrants, and when
necessary, facilitate their safe and voluntary return home, in line with human
rights provisions. Most importantly, we strive to realise the United Nations vision that, ‘migration
should be a choice, not a desperate necessity’. To that end, my administration, through
inter-ministerial cooperation is taking meaningful steps to create opportunities
and options for education, employment and training for young Gambians and
returnees.
Through the Migration and
Sustainable Development in The Gambia Project (MSDG), we have already
demonstrated the benefits of a well-coordinated approach to working with the
diaspora. One of the leading experts in the world on international development
and global migration is the Director of GK Partners, a Gambian diaspora,
Professor Gibril Faal. We recognise his efforts in having a fully funded
progamme, providing induction, training, technical briefings and guidance to
the government to make the best out of migration. My administration was pleased
to sign a Technical Cooperation Project agreement with GK Partners to ensure
that the best experts in the field, who happen to be Gambian, are working for
Gambia. We also expect to work with all experts on the public sector reform and
other urgent and important priorities.
On behalf of the MSDG
Project, I express my thanks specifically to the government of Switzerland and
the European Union for their support and cooperation.
Fellow Gambians,
distinguished delegates, on the occasion of the First Stake in the Nation
Forum, you will have the chance to discuss specific and technical matters. I am
sure that you will have productive and focused deliberations.
I would like to
congratulate Professor Faal of GK Partners and the entire MSDG team. I also
take this opportunity to thank all government ministries, departments and
agencies that have been supporting the MSDG initiative.
It is now my honour and
delight to launch the following:
- The
Gambia Diaspora Strategy
- The
Gambia Diaspora Directorate
- The
government report on ‘Curbing Irregular Migration through Sustainable
Livelihoods’.
I wish you all a good day
as we look forward to the Second Stake in the Nation Forum in 2019.
Thank you for your kind
attention.
