Dear Jarra,

Many thanks for your comments on the issues I raised in my article. You're certainly right, we have a lot in common with Senegal, and I also made the same point in the article. But I don't think that addressing the Senegalese influence on The Gambia means that I am anti-Pan-Africanism. The way I see it, we've all been dealt the colonialism card, we'd better make the most of it. In other words, it is our responsibility, as Gambians, to ensure that we do our utmost to preserve what we have without necessarily turning a blind eye to what we have in common with our African brethren.

Like you, I like Senegalese music. However, we should also note that Senegalese music is heavily nationalistic, and its about time Gambians wake up to this, and work out how Gambian music and the arts in general can be harnessed to support our national development efforts, just as Senegal has so successfully done.

The debate continues, and I hope to engage you and others more on this issue, and others that of interest to us as Gambians and Africans.

Many thanks again for your comments. Have a great day, and please stay safe!