Introduction
1. Introduction
It is often said that understanding a problem is half the solution. This is an important area where the PPA is different from the other parties. The PPA identifies at a granular level, The Gambia’s multiple developmental challenges, while also appreciating the intertwining nature of these challenges. With that in mind, the Party has designed policies for a holistic solution for our societal problems. At the core of the Party’s unique and pragmatic approach to solving these problems is the effective communication of its sector policies to the population.
Systemic problems are quite important but also can be easily overlooked. Indeed, discussions about needed sector reforms are often predicated on systemic changes that cannot automatically be implemented on their own. Like any challenges, systemic problems must be consciously and actively identified and tackled. In effect, for any meaningful transformation to occur in any society, certain fundamental overarching pillars must be in place, and among them are the following:
2. Leadership
History has taught us that a transformative leader is a prerequisite for any society that has been transformed from destitution to a desirable level of development. Today, The Gambia badly needs a transformative leader to set the country on course for proper and lasting development. Such a leader must have a clear long-term vision, a strategy, as well as the short-term actionable interventions to positively change all sectors. The leader’s understanding and vision must then be well-communicated on a regular basis, not just to the Ministers and other senior officials, but also to the population at large. Such a leader must sincerely speak beyond just matters of politics but seek to inspire the population to galvanize them towards national objectives. Unfortunately, only few amongst the current leadership aspirants promise Gambians with such leadership qualities. Such a transformative leadership is what the PPA has been blessed with.
The leader of the PPA-led government will regularly initiate constructive public discourse and debates on matters of national importance. There are no shortage of themes and subjects beyond material development that the PPA leader plans to awaken in the public consciousness. As Gambians we must have a respectful dialogue on many societal values such as how we conduct ourselves in the public space, how we treat our natural environment, the need for mutual respect, respect for national symbols, and the significance of various norms in the public space. These conversations must be brought to the forefront by the leadership. In short, the conversations on intangibles that society need to develop, as well as its material aspects, must be led by visionary leadership.
Leadership
Nominations
3. Nominations And Appointments
There is no shortage of Gambians with integrity and competence in most relevant fields. However, most of the appointments to key positions in the current dispensation have been based either on political affiliation or nepotism. Unfortunately, most of the existing opposition parties do not promise to do anything different on this matter. To make a statement of breaking from this particular chronic and regressive norm, the PPA government’s first batch of ministerial appointments will be transitional. They will only serve until a special national convention is held, whose outcomes will be consolidated into the party policies. The convention will include all Gambians, including the diasporans, to validate the PPA sector policy documents. Thematic groups will be formed based on professions, trades and economic sectors. Under no circumstance will appointments be based on political affiliations. Appointments in key positions such as Ministerial, Directors, and others will be based on the two holy principles of competence and integrity. Every single one of us have track records that must be vetted as part of the recruitment process.
It is an unfortunate reality that one of the hallmarks of the current government’s failure is manifested in the appointments of inappropriate individuals in key ministerial and governmental positions. These individuals have been demonstrated to be corrupt and ineffective. Under the PPA government, national assembly will have to vet individuals to be appointed as Ministers and other leadership positions in state-owned enterprises, as well as head of regulatory bodies.
4. Patriotism
Patriotism entails devotion and loyalty to one’s country. This means that its people, culture, and history all evoke a deep sense of love, pride, and attachment. Given this deep connection, a patriotic individual is willing to make significant sacrifices for their country. Without sufficient patriotism, the advancement of a nation cannot be a priority for public officials.
The PPA government will reignite and lead public discourse on patriotism on a special project called Project Patriot. This project will have the objective of instilling this value early on in the lives of all citizens. It will include inculcating the love for country, its culture, history and peoples. Values and principles such as respect for each other, discipline in public places, environment, resources and responsibility are cornerstones of PPA’s Project Patriot.
Patriotism
Many Birds
5. Many Birds, One Stone
The PPA government’s mantra of “killing many birds with one stone”, is an appreciation of the interconnection between issues. At the core of this principle is the recognition that sectors and cross-cutting themes are so intertwined and interlinked that proper conception, development and implementation of a policy in one sector would result in addressing many others. For example, good land and settlement policy will have a positive impact on the environment, which in turn could have positive implications on tourism, which in turn could reduce unemployment, leading to socio-economic development. Another example is that, a competent leader will surround themselves with competent people, who will in turn will propose appropriate and effective policies and solutions.
6. Civic Education
Through civic education, the PPA-led government will de-mystify government and raise awareness of the population about the appropriate relationship between the public, government and public servants. This is fundamental in empowering the citizenry and setting the proper expectation of the general public vis-a-vis government officials. It will be a PPA government policy to elucidate this critical principle at every given opportunity. Government officials - from the presidency to the lowest rung of civil servants - would be required to demonstrate in public announcements and during interactions with the public that the public servants are meant to serve the people and that the people are the bosses, not the other way round.
Civic
Corruption
7. Corruption
Corruption in the Gambia, while nothing new, has over the last couple of years reached an unprecedented level. It is a symptom of a more deep-rooted problem of weak and disconnected leadership that cannot fully appreciate the gravity of the problem and therefore incapable of proffering a solution.
The country’s scandals have been as numerous as they have become outrageous. For example, the 2021 Gam Petroleum fuel scandal dealt a negative blow to the country’s reputation and resulted in a fuel shortage in the latter part of that year. Then in 2024, the Russian fuel scandal followed, with a number of Ministers implicated. These were followed by other major scandals such as the disposal of Jammeh assets and the sale of Megabank. The list of such scandals is long and each individual case has been serious. The president’s position on such national-level matters should be common knowledge, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.
Corruption would be tackled with a vengeance but also within the law. Furthermore, it will be tackled with an appreciation of the fact that it has multiple causes that include bad leadership, weak governance, lack of patriotism, lack of transparency and misalignment of incentives, among others.
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