Editorial

It is a well known principle within development discourse that for development to be achieved by a society, the people have to be the driving force behind it. All development undertakings must involve the people, who ought to be seen in the initiation and implementation stages of development projects. However,  it is also worth mentioning that fulfillment of all these conditions do not in anyway guarantee development in the absence of unity and harmony among the people. This is because no objective, however great the aspiration might be, is attainable on the basis of individualism. Several people have to strive together if even the simplest of things is to be achieved.

Coincidentally, in the last days of the 'Dialogue with the people tour,' the Gambian head of state reiterated his call for Gambians to break the barrier that keeps them apart politically and ethnically and to unite in the interest of the country's development goals. These remarks by the president go to show that the advancement of every Gambian, regardless of affiliations in terms of politics, religion or tribe, is his utmost priority. Such visionary statements, coupled with the tremendous development achievements registered by this government of his amply  justify the president's rightful claim to the support he actually enjoys, and they also explain his popularity among Gambians. Today, we are ever aware of the fact that where there is unity, there will always be peace and tranquility.

In this regard, all other development facilities will fall in place because everybody will continue to work in unity towards the progress of the society; this fast-tracks the overall development process. On the other hand, when disunity is the order of the day, the resultant effect is total negligence. It is therefore important for us to come together as one - as Gambians and Africans - in pursuit of our collective objectives. Politics is a service of representation and as such we should not allow it to be a dividing tool among people. The best reputation a person can make as a politician is to meaningfully participate in the development process of the society they serve.

President Jammeh has vividly shown that he is a servant of the people who is ever sure of continuing to deliver to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. With every thing that we do as Gambians, we should always remember our national pledge, which teaches us that we must stand together and move forward as one people, for if we insist on pursuing our goals without keeping the collective objective in mine, we shall be divided, and divided we shall fall. This government has paved the way. What is expected of us is to take advantage and make maximum use of the opportunities that avail themselves to us by cementing our loyalty to the state. The country belongs to all of us and it is a collective responsibility to deliver its development.