Is the National Assembly becoming ineffective? Why does it seem to overlook the needs and aspirations of the youth and women of The Gambia, favoring other interests? Why were you elected? To think! How many Cabinet Ministers, Senior Government officials, and politicians would permit their sons, daughters, and nieces to enroll in the Seasonal Workers or Guest Workers Program to become maids and laborers in Saudi Arabia, or to engage in brick making and farming in Spain?
by Alagi Yorro Jallow.
True leadership is not merely about comfort in familiar settings. Exceptional leadership emerges during crises, demonstrating calmness and unexpected actions to soothe a nation, while negotiation is not a sign of weakness. The fundamental duty of both the National Assembly and the executive branch is to devise and execute sound economic policies that ensure sustainable employment for the country’s youth. Concentrating on local job creation, investment in education and vocational training, and nurturing a strong economy, the government can enable the youth to prosper domestically.
The National Assembly, once a distinguished legislative body, has seen its reputation and significance diminished by its leadership due to neglecting its essential and ancillary roles, and its acceptance of a self-destructive chase for political self-aggrandizement and the promotion of its leaders’ political interests. Forsaking republican values and democratic principles, the National Assembly is quickly moving toward the acquisition and reinforcement of autocratic powers. The Assembly is displaying political death-wish tendencies and seems prepared to engage in legislative and institutional self-destruction, believing that such an act would be perceived as a display of patriotism and willingness to sacrifice itself to protect the youth and women of Gambia from the ruinous policies of the Executive’s shortsighted administration.
It must be conveyed to the National Assembly that the sanctity of its Chambers and the distinction of its members are not defined by the chamber’s hue or the obstinacy and arrogance of its seated members, but by the integrity and value of their work.
Fatoumatta: The fundamental duty of a government is to foster economic growth and ensure employment for its citizens domestically. Exporting labor abroad as a cheap workforce is often a temporary fix that can lead to worker exploitation and harsh conditions. It is vital to invest in local industries, education, and infrastructure to generate enduring job opportunities that enable citizens to prosper in their homeland. Governments ought to focus on developing a strong economy that serves all, guaranteeing that young people have honorable and stable job prospects without the need to search for work abroad in potentially adverse situations. Depending on guest worker programs in nations like Saudi Arabia and Spain, known for significant human rights violations, is neither a sustainable nor moral strategy. A primary goal should be to protect the youth from exploitation and provide them with chances to succeed in their own country.
Fatoumatta: Creating a future where youth can contribute to national development and envision a promising future without the need to seek opportunities abroad under harsh conditions is essential. However, the prevalent rhetoric from our supposed symbol of youth empowerment is “The Youths Are Happy.” Merely occupying an office does nothing but bolster a sense of entitlement, flattery, and political demagoguery. True progress hinges not on sitting in a chair but on providing strong and pragmatic leadership from it. The executive and legislature must move past the juvenile rhetoric of “Taf Yengal” and the superficial implementation of our national development and youth employment policies, which are based on a guest worker program to Spain and subject our women to becoming subjugated in Saudi Arabia, a nation with a history of mistreating African women. This does not embody the true spirit of leadership but rather politics rooted in charlatanism.
Fatoumatta: The Gambian National Assembly members should be asked: Why were you elected? The answer should be: To solve problems like a leader, not to apply quick-fix solutions akin to ‘Masala’ business tactics and “Taf yengal”.
The Gambia’s executive branch consented to a memorandum on a circular migration agreement with Spain, signed on August 28 and ratified on October 19. This agreement is designed to select seasonal workers for the Spanish labor market and to manage the supply of Gambian women working as maids in Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Trade’s Public Employment Services. I am opposed to the Gambian government’s decision to send its young population to work as guest workers in Saudi Arabia and Spain. Although these agreements may appear to be a swift solution to unemployment problems, they pose serious concerns regarding the welfare and prospects of our youth.
Firstly, it is the fundamental duty of any government to generate sustainable employment opportunities within its borders. Sending our youth overseas for temporary jobs exposes them to possible exploitation, harsh conditions, and the inherent instability of guest worker programs. These young individuals merit stable, respectable work in their homeland, where they can contribute to and reap the benefits of our nation’s progress.
Secondly, the emphasis should be on bolstering our own economy. Investments in education, vocational training, and domestic industries can yield enduring solutions that enable our youth to forge thriving lives in The Gambia. By focusing on creating jobs locally, we not only diminish the reliance on foreign employment but also guarantee that our country’s advancement is inclusive.
Lastly, the social and cultural ramifications must be taken into account. Many young workers encounter substantial cultural and language obstacles overseas, potentially resulting in isolation and challenges with integration. By keeping our youth within the proximity of their families and communities, we nurture social stability and unity, which are vital for the country’s development.
However,, international work programs may provide short-term economic advantages, but the long-term welfare of The Gambia and its youth would be better served by concentrating on domestic job creation, economic investment, and social stability. You were elected primarily for one purpose: profound thinking.
Your duty, upon taking the oath of office, is to engage in critical, creative, empowering, and visionary thinking, and then to transform those thoughts into plans and actions that change the lives of your people. Many of you are highly educated with international experience, and now possess the power and platform to advocate for initiatives like campaign finance reforms and to put an end to the entrenched traditions that perpetuate a cycle of poverty. Therefore, it is imperative to take action on these issues. How can the shipping of Gambian youths and women to Europe and the Middle East, where they face enslavement, be tolerated? Is this the reason you were elected?
The Gambian people must become aware of the guest workers program agreement in Saudi Arabia and its impact on our women, and express outrage at the insensitivity shown towards the struggles of our youth and Gambian women. This reflects an irresponsible attitude. It is crucial to reconsider and amend the budget so that voters start to appreciate the importance of electing candidates with superior plans.
Fatoumatta: The direction we are headed without competent leadership to steer us is uncertain. The social contract between political leaders and their constituents has disintegrated. Beneath the calm exterior of life, significant issues are stirring. The Adama Barrow government seems to be a void overseeing chaos, and in politics, as in nature, a vacuum is something to be wary of. If politicians do not consolidate their efforts promptly, the consequences could be dire. Revolutions are risky and arise from administrative collapse, as seen in the years of turmoil following the ousting of former president Yahya Jammeh. Amidst this despondency, however, there are burgeoning signs of change.
We are a country in a decline that is not terminal or irreversible but is still a decline. Our political system, dominated as it is by a handful of power-hungry, corrupt rulers, seems incapable of producing long-range answers to our problems. Unless we pull down the entire corrupt, decrepit, dilapidated, superstructure soon, the ultimate disaster of chaos is inescapable.
Fatoumatta: I would say to those who govern that it’s not their job to be liked. As for the female National Assembly members, Oh, my sisters, it’s your job to check and scrutinize the executives as you already know. It’s your job to fight against small thinking and show tough love and love tough!
The nation faces humiliation and poverty. While democratic structures are in place, democracy itself is effectively moribund. The country is in grave peril and declining. The leadership of our National Assembly bears a significant burden of responsibility. Our political leaders and top civil servants, though intelligent, exist in an isolated bubble and seldom interact with the average citizen. As Americans put it, it’s crucial to gauge the daily life of the populace in person. Being mere passive observers to unfolding events is not viable. The escalating signs of a vulnerable Gambia teetering towards disaster are too apparent to ignore. Merely watching history unfold is insufficient. Resignation to the status quo is no longer a viable stance.
Fatoumatta: It is crucial to acknowledge that these programs have been criticized for potential exploitation and labor abuses. Providing fair treatment and sufficient protections for guest workers is vital for preserving the integrity and benefits of the program. Several East African nations, including Kenya, have initiated measures to stop sending their youth to Saudi Arabia as domestic workers because of extensive reports of human rights abuses. The Kafala system in Saudi Arabia, which binds the legal status of workers to their employers, has led to significant exploitation and mistreatment. Although there have been some reforms, many workers continue to endure severe conditions, leading countries such as Kenya to reevaluate these labor agreements.
