A leading Gambian Political Scientist Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said President Adama Barrow does not only lacked the intellectual pedigree to run the Gambia, but has also shattered the aspirations of the Gambian people who voted him into office to champion meaningful political change. “It is my opinion that he lacks the wherewithal to give Gambians what they now most yearn for; that is development, and a comprehensive political, social and economic transformation. He has demonstrated his inability to do this, through a pattern of inconsistencies and contractions in his style of leadership,” Ceesay, who is a Political Science Professor at the University of the Gambia told Freedom Radio Gambia in an interview.
“When he started the first thing he did was to appoint Ambassadors at large. For me, that was one of the wrong moves he made. What does those Ambassadors at large…; really what values have they added to his government? I don’t know. And secondly, normally people will not be happy with this; but I think he lacks the intellectual disposition to handle the challenging problems of government. Experience also is another issue. I am glad that he himself admitted that,” he added.
Ceesay, who is currently visiting the United Kingdom, said, it is about time for Gambians to make it compulsory for non-degree holders not to be elected as President. He said the current Constitution, has low standards as far as the qualifications of one being elected as a President is concerned. The constitution, he said, doesn’t require one to secure a certain number of credits upon completing secondary education. All it says , he went on, “is that for one to be qualified to run for President, he or she must finish his secondary school education,” adding that he doesn’t think candidates, who failed mathematics and English language can effectively lead a country, like the Gambia.
Hence, Ceesay says, there should be a provision in the new constitution currently being drafted to require people aspiring to be elected President to bag a University degree. He pointed out that there is no proof available online to suggest that President Adama Barrow has successfully completed his high school education. Ceesay said in the interest of transparency, President Barrow should make his high school results public as done by his predecessor dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Dr. Ceesay also noted that President Barrow is leading a mediocre government. Barrow, he said, is not only clueless when it comes to governance, but to add insult to injury, he has surrounded himself with poorly educated political hacks. This, he said, is having a devastating impacting on governance and development in the country.
“He shot himself in the foot. What did he do; he got rid of the people, who had experience. He didn’t bring in people, who could help him, navigate the complex world of governance, but then he surrounded himself with people, who can add no value to his own weaknesses,” Ceesay said, adding that it was wrong for Barrow to fire his Coalition partners. He referenced the sacking of VP Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, Agriculture Minister Omar Amadou Jallow, and former Interior Minister Mai Fatty. He said Barrow has proven to be a betrayer, and his decisions are often influenced by his increasing desire to consolidate himself in power.
“So, in a nutshell Pa, Jawara gave us independence in 1965, when we wanted it. In 1994, we wanted change, Jammeh gave us change; in 2016, Gambians wanted democracy, Barrow gave us the democracy. Now, Gambians want a leader, who can give us the much-needed development, which has so far been elusive,” he added.
Dr. Ceesay also said Barrow hasn’t spearheaded any meaningful development project since he was voted into office in December of 2016. He said the regime is instead busy promoting the National Development Plan (NDP), when there are pressing developmental challenges facing the country. He cited the tanked economy, coupled with massive youth unemployment, and lack of security in the country. He said having the NDP is one thing, but it is another think for the government to be able demonstrate that they can run the country.
“They have been adopting the wrong approach in looking for a development solution. They have been looking elsewhere. They had always thought that the solution to Gambia’s development imperatives is outside; it through loans, and grants and running around the world; no, the solution is inside the country. Until and unless we start looking inwards; until and unless we start appreciating and harnessing our resources that we have; resources such as the sea; we have the Atlantic Ocean where we have a bunch of spices; we have a very fertile soil; agriculture; we have pleasant weather not far from mainland Europe; tourism; we have a very youthful population. Over 65 percent of our population are young; invest in the young people,” he said.
In our subsequent edition, we will publish another story, in which Dr. Ceesay warns about the political and economic dangers of having Barrow as Gambia’s President post transition period. Stay tuned.
The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: ADAMA BARROW LACKS THE INTELLECTUAL PEDIGREE TO RUN GAMBIA-PROF. ISMAILA CEESAY appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.