Editor,

I am very impressed with all of the finalists. This demonstrates that The Gambia has hidden talents. I congratulate them and wish them all good luck.
Commendation also goes to the panel of judges, the GRTS and most especially The Gambia Police Band. Highest praise and commendation as the nation's number one developer, is exclusively reserved for His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh. The revolution is an undeniable blessing for all Gambians.

Passing on to constructively criticising the anthems presented and this comes from the general observations that I have heard from many people, some of the anthems were elaborately long, too intellectual and too wordy. Except for a very few, most of the anthems gave the impression of the songs of church services, and this statement is most definitely not anti-religious.

Let us all bear in mind that the guidelines for the competition were very precise and clear. This is the sacrosanct reference book. I believe that the judges are looking for a revolutionary anthem that is neither too long no too short, of which the tempo should neither be too fast nor too slow, but which clearly brings out the passion, joy and mood of the 22nd July revolution of 1994.

The winning anthem will be a difficult choice, but I believe that it should not be a monotonous historic narrative of the Revolution's activities. The SES text books will amply take care of the historic aspects of the revolution.

Finally, the winning anthem should be such that even after our most beloved president and his government are long gone, the anthem will be most applicable to any succeeding government, remembering the successful legacies and achievements of our July 22nd Revolution of 1994 under the able stewardship of His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh.