When 'operation clean the nation' was first unveiled to Gambians, it was received with greetings of skepticism as to its motive and sustainability. And in some quotas, the rather jaded response was nothing but conspiracy and limitless acts of sabotage against a pioneering move that would change the lives of the inhabitants of this country, The Gambia. However, thanks to the extraordinary resilience of the force behind it, it eventually established a firm base within the society. This is not to mean that every body has embraced the idea.

Admittedly, it would take a century or more for that trifling fragment of the society, which that belongs to the disparagers, to accept the idea for the genuine intent it was born out of. This is why it has proved difficult to see the level of decency the key architect of the pioneering idea yarns for; the Gambia as the cleanest and healthiest nation in the world. This is indeed possible in all aspects, especially given the size of the country, and also the cultural and religious background of its people.

It will take just a change of attitude and nothing more; a change that will take the form of  boosted patriotism, adoration for one's nation, self-esteem and a horde of other distinctiveness that might count for a qualitative change in society. There has been too much talking but little action. And I am doubtful if this endless talking will take us anywhere.

Take, for instance, what I saw at the beaches around Palma Rima. The initiative of the authorities there, through the help of some local GSM provider, have reinforced the belief that it is possible to turn this country into a guiding light, in terms of cleanliness and decency, as it is clearly captured in the Gambian dream: 'superpower of hope'. The hope to live a prolonged and healthy life, and the hope to live in a decent environment.

It would take a more realistic approach by NEA, through an even more collaborative effort by all the Area and municipal councils of the country, the police as well as the judiciary and, most importantly, the people, to reach this height of actualization. At the moment though, let's focus on the reality at present.

At Palma Rima, we were stunned by the sight of trash cans dotted around strategic positions at the beach. The situation was such that even if you were no admirer of the anti-littering legislation, your conscience will not permit you to do the unwanted. The exercise, by all indications, has been so effective that the beach provides a welcoming atmosphere for its visitors. Not a scrap of paper on sight. The beach there was so mesmerizingly clean that my American friend, Greg, couldn't help but comment about it. I felt a pang of satisfaction and proudness. At least, this might be the feeling of other visitors. And, I assume, it is indeed a guarantee for our tourism sector. But what about the general society? was the question that cropped up into my mind. How do we take this to the people? These questions have already been asked and the answers to them are fairly obvious.  The Palma Rima formula is the adoptable formula.

Provide trash cans, reinforce surveillance, empower the civilians to  facilitate arrest of offenders, and very soon, we will see a reflection of the situation at Palma Rima in the streets of Banjul, Kanifing, Serekunda, Basse, and all across the country.