TODAY Newspaper       

29 April, 2010 01:39:00 SALOUM SHERIFF JANKO & SAINEY DARBOE

Gambians comment on the role of posterity in public administration Lauds Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara's autobiography

Gambians both in the country and the Diaspora have commended the former Gambian president, Alh Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara for his dedication and hard work in the service of the nation, and for committing his stewardship into a book to serve as an instrument to judge posterity.

According to them, The Gambia needs more people in the mould of the president who would be illustrious in contributing their quotas to the socio-economic development of the country.

According to Alieu Saidy, a US-based Gambian, writing an autobiography is a way of documenting the actions and inactions, policies and thoughts of the administration of the former president. He said by writing the book, the former president has created a platform for the engagement of ideas with the younger generation on what they could do in order to push forward the political process as well as the socio-political development of The Gambia.

According to Mr. Saidy, despite the old age of the former Gambian president, Alhagie Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, he is still concerned with national development, as evidenced in the effort he took in writing this important chapter in Gambian history. He said although people have been reading Gambian history before and after the independence, many of which were written by non-Gambians, this new book, which is written by the man who led the struggle himself will help in putting into better perspective the history of the country.

"The former president has done an excellent job which will go a long way in our efforts to improve our educational system by launching such a noble book that will give knowledge to many people, Gambian and non Gambians alike since it is something concerning history."

He then called upon Gambians, both at home and abroad, schools and higher institutions to pay their tribute to the former president and patronize his book. He also called for support to young and budding Gambian writers as part of efforts to also contribute to the socio-economic development of the country since it also brings awareness and an improvement in the education sector.

Kebba Ansu Ceesay, a school teacher conceded that Sir Dawda Jawara deserves commendation for publishing such a book that will educate the Gambian people and non Gambians, since the book dilates on a wide range of issues about The Gambia and the country's history during the independence struggle. "We are enjoying the independence today but let us not forget about where it started? What were the difficulties the nationalists encountered during the colonial era? So, with all those struggles they made and what we are enjoying today, I think it appropriate and correct to give such front-runners a real commendation for the job well done."

Demba Kandeh, a student at the University of The Gambia and also a member of Young Journalist Association of The Gambia also added his voice to those commending Sir Dawda Jawara for authoring a book that puts into perspective Gambian politics and other developmental issues. According to Kandeh, people should not only look at the book's political side, but also the developmental aspects. He said both aspects are inseparable, and one leads to or reinforces the other.

For his part, the deputy mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Mr. Yusupha Sanyang congratulated the former president, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara on the book. According to him, the authoring of a book, especially one that spans a history of about eight decades is not an easy task as it involves a lot of energy and research work. He said considering the age of the former president, he would have struggled hard to write the book that will help The Gambia. This, he said, is highly commendable. He noted that without research and devotion the end-product would not have been impressive.

"I was opportune to watch the programme and I know that it has taken many years and it is a very good finish product.

"This will definitely give all Gambians the opportunity to read the history of their country, to know her past social and political events. It would also serve as a good reference material for academic purposes as the book has to do with the social and political history of The Gambia.

"The book can bring lots of benefits and development to the nation, not only the Gambia but the entire world since they will be reading about The Gambia if they have the book and one really has to thank the President, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Dr. Yahya A.J.J Jammeh for the respect and assistance he has rendered to the elderly statesman which is indeed commendable.

Isatou Jallow, a former school teacher noted that the book entitled 'Kairaba' is a good move and a step in the right direction since it will benefit a lot of people. She also commended both the former president and President Jammeh for the job well done since they have both contributed fully to the development of the country. According to Miss Jallow, the book is quite interesting, as it touches a variety of angles on the Gambian society.

"I was quite happy about the launching of the book on television while also reading it on the newspapers that President Jammeh has donated 86 copies to the schools which is quite amazing," Jallow concluded.

The launching of 'Kairaba' has also been seen as a worthy move by international commentators. According to many, the book is a pointer to what was done while Sir Jawara was president, and to what could still be done. Many are also of the view that the book gives an inside account of the motives that informed certain executive decisions, what they said could not be captured by a biographer as much as s/he tried.