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President Jammeh's Ramadan gift, false or genuine?
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 01:51
By Yusupha ChamIt is Ramadan again. In Banjul or rather at his retreat in Kanilai, Gambia's leader Yahya Jammeh has already worked out or is currently working out ways to pack his usual Ramadan gift of thousands of bags of Sugar, apparently bought from tax payer’s money, which he presents as his personal gift.
Since coming to power, Jammeh has made sure that this aspect of his life stays - not least because it is a human side of him to do to the unsuspecting citizenry.
Initially, his cronies and disciples in the July 22 Movement would carry the gift around the country antagonizing or enticing the population to tow the APRC or forgo the items that in fact belongs to them.
In the process some of the same disciples stole the items or diverted them for personal use, leading them to several prosecutions and shaming of their members.
During those early days of its introduction, journalists and even politicians were not forgotten, raising moral questions as to whether it should be refused.
I vividly recalled and still agree to the thoughts of my mentor, the late Deyda Hydara, on the matter. ''People,” he said, “should take the gift because it belongs to them. It is their money in the first place.''
Back to this year though, and with recent reports that Sugar is in short supply in The Gambia, it remains to be seen whether Jammeh would fulfils his promise by buying tonnes of sugar from our money for distribution to the people. However, never short of solutions to problems, Jammeh must by now be busy, desperately moving and shaking every movable thing or person concerned to ensure that the Ramadan gifts is available, even if it means wasting a large portion of money - just to satisfy his glory of taking the credit for it.
My motivation to visit this topic, however, has to do with what I think should be focal in Jammeh's mind rather than this self aggrandizing projects disguised as gifts. Instead, Ramadan should serve Jammeh with an opportunity to seek redemption from God for the numerous alleged killings, destruction to lives and dependents all around the world. Since it is the month of forgiveness, Jammeh should be brave enough to own up to his alleged misdeeds and extend apologies to the population and promise hope and rectification. He can achieve this by releasing people from prison who should not have been there; reform his ways to give way to greater participation of Gambians in the affairs of their country; allow everyone in exile free choice to return; slacken his iron grip on power and share responsibility with competent people in the right positions and prepare to serve the country according to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Mr President, God states in the Holy Quran that Ramadan presents a unique and biggest chance for people to get the fattest reward for any good deed. Similarly, Ramadan should be the time for forgiveness for those who seeks it. Are you going to take your chance?
Ramadan Mubarak!
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Comments
Sainey, the untouchable brother of Saikou Sabally has accumulated most of his ill gotten wealth this way. It was open n blatant.
The difference today is the crooks under Jawara, were fearless crooks, while under Jammeh, they are always watching over their back as they could get arrested 4 the crime anytime.
No one ever condemn those crimes. I still think about those days n wonder why it was ok to steal everything under Jawara?
Comment
Yusupha, Ramadan also presents even those with sins committed with cleansing opportunities & same fatten rewards but in genuine seek for forgiveness & reform.
IT IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD TO DECIDE FALSE OR GENUINE...
THANKS
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