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Dida, Michael, Baba, John: Meddlers or Helpers?
Sunday, 30 October 2011 00:20
(Opinion) - I have, on several occasions, seen or heard Gambians condemn Dida Halaki, Michael Scales, Baba Aidara
(Hydara) and John Aycoth as intruders poking their noses into Gambian affairs. Those Gambians who disapprove of the activities of the quartet contend that they should simply keep aloof from Gambian affairs by virtue of the fact that they are non-Gambians. Some Gambians go to the extent of branding them as provokers, instigators and inciters who abuse Gambian hospitality, opining that their acts should not go unchecked. Others interpret their acts as mockery and insulting to the intelligence of Gambians. On the other hand, some Gambians view them as foreigners who have the interest of Gambians at heart and are thus concerned about issues affecting them. This camp has the conviction that the aforementioned four should be welcomed heartily, encouraged and lauded, rather than being castigated or scared away. In a nutshell, the debate is getting more and more heated- hence my resolve to take pains to express my vantage point in it. The debate reposes in the following question: Are these non-Gambians meddlers or helpers? Well, it is not easy to give a clear-cut, precise or straightforward answer to the above question, I must admit. Thus, I would like to scrutinise the involvement of the four gentlemen in Gambian affairs and their connections with The Gambia in my attempt to furnish an appropriate answer.
Dida Halaki
Dida Halaki is a British national of African (Ethiopian) origin. He is married to a Gambian lady, with whom he has been blessed with children. Dida has adopted the surname Jallow, which is very common in The Gambia and other African countries such as Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone. Dida owns/used to own a property in The Gambia. He once doubled as Managing-Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Observer newspaper of The Gambia. Prior to that, Dida spent some time teaching in The Gambia. He has commented a lot and continues to comment on Gambian and African issues in newspapers- both print and online. Judging by his connection with our motherland and immense contribution in the areas of education and journalism in The Gambia, I think Dida can be given the benefit of the doubt as a well-wisher. Although he is a non-Gambian, he has a stake in the running of the affairs of The Gambia. His contribution in the above-mention fields is laudable, as their importance cannot be over-emphasized. Educators mould the character of children who are the future leaders, besides imparting knowledge to them. The press is referred to as the fourth estate owing to its incontrovertible importance to society. Hence, I suggest that we welcome our in-law Uncle Dida with open arms and challenge his ideas or views in a constructive manner when they run counter to ours.
Michael Scales
Michael Scale is a White-British, married to a Nigerian princess. He used to visit The Gambia frequently, making donations there. He has written numerous letters to the UK authorities requesting them to address issues pertaining to the Gambia Government and Gambian nationals. Additionally, Michael supports Gambian online newspapers/radios, particularly Freedom Newspaper/Radio which has grown so popular over the past few years as a source of breaking news and information, and a forum for Gambians and friends of The Gambia. He comments on Gambian issues in particular and African ones as a whole. Thus, Michael has proven to be keenly interested in Gambian affairs and very much willing to help Gambians by championing their cause, for which reason we owe him gratitude. Therefore, Michael can be accepted in our platforms and engaged amicably in debates when the need arises. I guess we have more to gain than to lose in so doing.
Baba Aidara (Hydara)
Baba Aidara (Hydara) is a Senegalese currently residing in the US. He is the founding-father of Hellogambia Newspaper/Radio which has attracted quite a large readership/audience within a year. Baba reproduces articles on Gambian affairs from different sources and allows Gambians from both sides of the political divide (ruling party and opposition sympathizers) to freely express their views or exchange ideas using his online newspaper/radio. Hence, he has provided a very good platform for Gambians- a platform that is inconceivable in The Gambia today. As we all know, Senegal and The Gambia have blood, religious and cultural ties- among others, in addition to being neighbours. Based on this undeniable fact, it can rightly be stated that every Senegalese and every Gambian has a stake in the running of the affairs of the two countries, regardless of his/her nationality. Therefore, I regard Baba as a brother and a helper who is genuinely interested in Gambian affairs- far from being an intruder or a meddler. I think he should be commended highly for a job well done and supported in any way possible, or at least encouraged. Superfluous to say, helping him means helping ourselves as Gambians. Nevertheless, he should charitably be called to order when he goes wrong, as this will help guide him on the right path.
John Aycoth
A White-American, John Aycoth has reportedly served the Gambia Government as a lobbyist. He at times gives exclusive interviews or holds talks and answers questions on Freedom Radio. Listening to John on Freedom Radio or reading the transcription of his interviews on Freedom Newspaper online, one can draw a conclusion that the man has an arsenal of vital information on our current government and president. Discussing with him may prove to be worthwhile, as information is power. I therefore urge my compatriots to listen to him with rapt attention and keen interest, digest his words and tackle him with civility if need be, rather than treating him with suspicion or denouncing him outright- lest we lose the valuable information he has in his possession.
As can be seen from the foregoing arguments, there are benefits for us in the activities of the four gentlemen, even if there are harms in them. We should be selective and prudent enough to avoid the harms- if there is any- while doing our utmost to reap the benefits. It goes without saying that we the Gambians should shape the destiny of our beloved country by ourselves, but it is not wrong to discuss its affairs with non-Gambians with the view to borrowing sound ideas from them and censuring their inept ideas, or refuting the fallacious, erroneous notions they harbour vis-a-vis our country. In this regard, we should use the maxim “Accept wisdom irrespective of where it comes from” as a guiding-principle.
The world has become a global village. With the phenomenon of globalization, people from different parts of the world interact in various ways and at different levels. The Gambia has bi-lateral relations with different countries the world over. Gambians inter-marry with non-Gambians all over the world. Gambians seek refuge and naturalize in foreign countries. There is a sizeable number of Gambians living abroad, just as there are many migrants in The Gambia. Hence, what happens in one part of the world may directly or indirectly affect people in other parts. For these reasons and many others, people take interest in what obtains in their own countries as well as what happens in other countries, and Gambians are no exception to this. I count my humble self as an example in this respect. I comment extensively on global issues in both speech and writing, like I do as regards Gambian ones. Hence, it would be very unreasonable or folly for me to ask non-Gambians to refrain from commenting on Gambian issues. In conclusion, I vociferate that I am averse to the idea of condemning people as meddlers for showing interest or getting involved in the affairs of countries other than theirs. Such foreigners may be sincere and thus have good intention or well wishes, even if their views or opinions diverge from those of citizens.
Written by Ebou Gaye
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Comments
Lalo...
Why don't you get a life?
You sound like an old Lion looking for an antelope with a limp....
wot a prat !!!
Comment:
Well Muzungu, my life is fine and full of enjoyment, is only that those whom my life didn't favour are the ones complainig about Lalo Kebba.
So if that is what you call an unlifely then let it be, Iam just hear speaking from the deep of my Heart my experienced with the "Wazungu-land" for their double standard in African affairs !
And for you to call me a prat (Stupid), Well that is your Bread and Butter !
If Iam as you've said, the truthful people are here watching and a Day of judging both of us will one Day arrive by the contentment of the Almighty !
In the service of SeneGamBissau I remain
Why don't you get a life?
You sound like an old Lion looking for an antelope with a limp....
wot a prat !!!
Dida,by virture of being married to a Gambian,is as Gambian as anyone of us....Mike is an African in-law,being married to our sister,so he is one of us.....Baba should not even be an issue....John is very much welcome by us....
So,gentlemen,Pe ace to you all and never waiver in the struggle for humanity....
Comment:
Brother Bax, coming to what you've said about these people, excluding Baba, these guys were once enjoying with Arafang and by the time he (Arafang) dumped them that is when they've started their so-call struggles in order for us to believe that they came to rescue us.
When the going was good for the so-call Fullaani old Boy, we do saw online how he you to compare Arafang Yahya with the African heroes, like-wise the Ama Bhulu too, was once in the good Books of Arafang, and when things mix-up he started to jump !
In the service of SeneGamBissau I remain
So,gentlemen,Pe ace to you all and never waiver in the struggle for humanity....
There is no doubt that support of the Gambian online media...has allowed the emergence of new gambian talent to rise and succeed.
As you know..I am a great admirer of your wisdom and keen insight..with admirable inteligence.
Nothing succeeds like success.
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