6 days agoChoose Your Group, Or Your Group Will Choose YouTranscript (edited for brevity and clarity) of my speech to graduands at the Anglican Mission Institute (formerly called ATC), Farafenni, Upper Badibu, North Bank Region, The Gambia on Saturday, July 30, 2022 — Good afternoon everybody. Thank you very much Mr. Mbye, the MC of the occasion. …Gambia21 min read
Jun 16Hip Hip Hooray!The Gambia Government White Paper on the TRRC Report is a huge step in the right direction, but … — I once remarked to someone: “I wish former President Yahya Jammeh a long and healthy life we all share.” He replied in shock: “What?” I repeated my statement and pointed out to him that Yahya Jammeh was more useful to us as a country alive than dead. I said to…Africa7 min read
May 19Conduct Unbecoming Of A PresidentPresident Barrow’s latest and recent fit of anger was un-called for and to his detriment. — The Banjul Muslim Elders have, since the colonial times, paid a courtesy call on the head of Government or State at the end of each Islamic Holy month of Ramadan. …Africa6 min read
May 5Of Growling Stomachs and Clean HeartsRamadan, the month of Muslim fasting which ended a few days ago, is an inspiring month — Aaah, Ramadan, the Holy month of fasting by Muslims has ended! …Ramadan7 min read
Apr 19Ballanghar!My recent trip to Ballanghar, my home village, taught me the joy of sharing knowledge — I wanted a write an article this week to provide a light-hearted look at this holy and serious month of Ramadan. However, I changed my mind, following my visit over the weekend to my home village, Ballanghar, to cast my vote in the National Assembly elections held on April 9th…Gambia7 min read
Apr 5Down and Out in SerrekundaThe impact of Chief Awolowo’s free primary education program launched in 1956 is evident in the Nigerian community in The Gambia — Nigeria7 min read
Mar 29A Cause To Die ForRussia’s invasion of Ukraine is, sadly, yet another conflict that is consuming the lives of foreign volunteer fighters — Foreign Fighters7 min read
Mar 15The Road to Prosperity — or MadnessGambians can choose to start doing things differently — or accept that we are mad. — Several years ago, during former President Yahya Jammeh’s dictatorial rule, I had a conversation with a Gambian friend of mine. One of the two lanes of highway out of the Gambian Capital, Banjul, had a deep depression right by the big baobab tree at Mile 2 Prison. …International Development7 min read
Mar 10Art, Anyone?Public art is an invaluable asset to communities that care to invest in it. When I was a volunteer DJ at community radio, WORT FM, of Madison, Wisconsin in the 1990s, I sometimes made a musical tour of Africa starting, say, in West Africa, playing music from different parts of…Art7 min read
Mar 1In Search Of EnemiesThere is more than one side to the story about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — The invasion last week, of Ukraine by Russia is a humanitarian tragedy, and a major failure of diplomacy. It shouldn’t have come to this, but it has, and amid the search for solutions to the conflict, we should also ask how we got here. After weeks of posturing, and denying…Russia6 min read