What our society ardently yearns for today is leaders who are servants of the people, not leaders who are masters. This is just an echo of an earlier statement by the Gambian leader, President Jammeh.

Indeed, public office holders are supposed to know this better. But, unfortunately, it so happens that a few of us are preoccupied with matters of our individual concern rather than those of the people we are serving.

If we make a rough quantification of the causes of Africa's underdevelopment, we are likely to find 50% of it, if not more, being the cause of unscrupulous leadership. The case of the disgraced former Alkalo of Sohm is an absolute testimony of this fact.

But, thankfully, the way the issue was dealt with portrays the uncompromising course of the Gambian judiciary. The verdict was exemplary! The message being conveyed is quite comprehensible; no matter your level in the society, the laws of the country are supreme, even if as in this case your brother was the judge. We must commend this Chief who was so determined to uphold the law that he sentenced his own brother to a 10,000 dalasi fine, or one-year imprisonment, and loss of office.

As a leader you are supposed to be a role model, as your people always look up to you, not only for the much needed services they are entitled to, but also for moral guidance. Again, as a leader, your attitude towards societal needs greatly determines the level of participation of your people, whose input is in-fact the most crucial for national development.

And, most importantly, as a leader, your legacy greatly affects the performance of the future leaders, the young ones. This is why we aught to leave no stone unturned when it comes to issues concerning the good of the general public.  

There is indeed an enormous lesson to be drawn from the case of the former Alkalo. The move by the district tribunal authorities goes to emphasize the fact that 'operation no compromise' is here to stay. We do hope that this will scare the hell out of whoever is indulged in, or is planning to get near to similar dubious act.