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Gambia Government, Diasporas Meeting Kicks Off
Wednesday, 04 January 2012 02:05
(JollofNews) – A two-day consultative meeting between the Gambia Government and Gambians in the Diaspora kicked
off Tuesday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi. The conference is geared towards strengthening relationship, networking and cooperation of Gambian Diaspora groups as well as coordinating their role to national development.
This first ever meeting is being attended by government officials, security chiefs, present and past diplomats, parliamentarians and representatives from the Diaspora.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gambian Vice-President, Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, told participants that the Gambia is our beloved country and it is only the Gambian people who can develop the country.
“It is this strong conviction that is behind convening this dialogue and consultation with Gambians in the Diaspora,” she said.
“I must add that this is indeed a family affair. It is a family consultative meeting where all shades of Gambians in the Diaspora are welcome without any exception.”
Vice-President Njie-Saidy acknowledged the fact that Gambians in the Diasporas also have a significant role to play in the country’s development process as they can help to overcome the various challenges.
“This is precisely why we are hosting this historic dialogue for the first time, and we hope and pray that it will become a permanent fixture on our development calendar,” she said.
“It is important to note that the Gambia government has always created the enabling environment for Gambians both inside and outside the country to meaningfully participate in development.”
“In the light of this, we therefore need a collective strategy in partnership with the Gambians in the Diaspora to translate these potentials into more concrete and sustainable programs/projects for the benefit of our society”.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, emphasised the ardent desire of the Gambia government to create a conducive environment for meaningful cooperation with the Gambian Diaspora in a mutually beneficial manner.
“Recognising the significant contributions that the Diaspora can make in the development of African nations, the World Bank has established a mechanism such as the e-consult where Diaspora consultants would register for World Bank funded projects,” he said.
“In 2007, a study conducted by the Western Union revealed that Diaspora remittances to developing countries were estimated at US $240 billion. This is twice the value of Official Development Assistance from Foreign Direct Investment.”
Minister Tangara seized the opportunity to deplore the significant brain drain from the Gambia to the developed countries, and was quick to express the Gambia government readiness to tap into their skills and know-how for mutual benefit.
He then added that Diaspora financial resources come with fewer and different conventionalities of the Officially Development Assistance (ODAs) and reiterated that it should help to reduce aid dependency.
“Gambians in the Diaspora can provide financial capital for trade and investments that would generate employment and source of livelihood for Gambians at home,” he said.
“With the advent of e-banking, entrepreneurs in the Diaspora can contribute cultural capital by blending the good set of values, norms and perspectives acquired abroad with those at home to generate innovations and positive approach to doing things.”
Outlining the significant role Gambians in the Diaspora can play in the evolution of the country, Minister Tangara announced the creation of a Unit for Diaspora Affairs within his ministry.
''Thus, subsequently, the implementation of the recommendations generated from this forum would be coordinated by that unit in consultation and collaboration with other relevant institutions,” he said.
“In a similar vein, plan s are ongoing to equip our embassies and missions abroad to provide adequate and appropriate services that would promote trade and Investment in Gambia as well as the transfer of appropriate technology and the conduct of joint research in partnership with the Gambian Diaspora.”
Written by Abdoulie John
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Comments
THE DIASPORA MEETING IS PAYING OFF, ALHAMDU LILAAH. ( ALLA JAARAMA, ALLA KHO MAWDUM,ALLA WOONA SEREROU).
There is no other name user experiencing such except me. Why similar complains are been made but mine is ignored? Is it another double standards been practiced? Is Jollofnews fair to me? Is impersonating allowed in journarlism? Please no double standards as we all trust this paper has made a lot of differences compared to sister papers. This is the only user name allowed to be used by different people and I think since you are able to correct previous complains this one can be stooped.
I have been commenting here since the onset of this paper online and my previous name was Lamin. Later this name was bared for a reason unknown to me and I asked for an explanations but no reply. I then decided to use ML and here again someone decide to use the same initial to express himself/ herself . I made an appeal with others for this to be corrected as I can remember a similar thing happened, someone using the name “Bajaw” and when the initial user of the name “Bajaw” learnt of this and complained Jollofnews came in to clarify that it was not the usual Bajaw and anyone impersonating will be revealed and the person stopped. Again not long the name user “Liza” commented and Jollofnews thought it was not the same name user who commented the name was changed to “Fake”. When Liza the user name realizes this and complained, “Fake” was changed back to “Liza”. Here the same has been happening and I have been complaining and nothing is still been done.
This gives..an insight into the current exchanges with the diaspora...regarding encouraging possible inward funding/investment etc.
Also the connection with the IMF and its percieved impact on loss of sovereignty...and the importance of the GG's PAGE programme.{A programme for accelerated growth}
The realisation of the ambition for bigger growth and...how the GG is approaching the challenges.
The debt/borrowing situation that must return profit and the need for tight fiscal management.
However, what becomes apparent is the "selective" nature of the approach to the diaspora.This requires a much broader consensus.
There is also a great need for some protection for investors interests and a professional understanding of there requirements.
But very progressive and informative nonetheless.
Let us all know that "Maa" Is in a catch 22 situation because she can't do things on her own !
I think the best way for her is to resign which she is also afraid of doing because of what may follow such resignation in Arafang Yahya's tenure !
But as I said, "Maa" have to decide before it is going to be too late for her to doing so !
This is why I give a high credit to both Mama Satang Jaw and that Gal from Kombo Lameng call: Therese Ndong !
Because when They felt that, things are not going well, They call it over !
In the service of the truth I remain
To Gambians diaspora who attended this meeting if you guys are not hypocretes or cowards, why not some one raise the issue of the fear that clouded the Gambian climate? You should stand up to tell them facts and your concern about your security as well because many of our returned patriots were damaged by this notorious regime. Tell Yahya Jammeh yes we want to come home but will the security of our life, property and liberty be protected/secured? This guy want to win the heart of every gambian which cannot be possible in a real democratic environment even prophet muhammed (PBUH) has some oppositions. Be man enough to demand your liberty that you have been enjoying abroad to be provided to you when you returned home. Thank you.
Continue above....
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