"The Gambia’s autocratic president, Yahya Jammeh, who once claimed a “billion-year” mandate to rule, has conceded defeat after a shock election loss to a real-estate developer who once worked as a security guard in London" That is how the Guardian newspaper reported on December 2.
There is time for everything thing. A time to born and to die. A time to be voted into power and a time to be voted out of power. A time to become a president and a time to become a private citizen.
There is one moment that I become so proud as a Ghanaian. That's during elections.
Sometimes when I watch documentaries on how dictatorship and autocratic leadership have caused our dear continent I cry!
For how long oh Mama Africa! For how long will some leaders swallow their pride. We are one people with one common goal to becoming a united Africa. A strong continent. A continent built on love, communism and hardwork.
Our rich continent is bleeding. Some errors of past leaders have made millions lost their lives. Poverty keeps hunting us upon all the resources our maker gave us.
This is not the Africa our forefathers fought for!
No!
Nelson Mandela fought all his life for freedom through aggression but after serving for 27years in Jail he came out as a new person. He was able to forgive his enemies and use peace as a strong tool to bring unity.
In this 21st century, the time of strong men is over, we are in an era of strong institutions, we are in an era of change.
Kwame Nkrumah once said "forward ever, backward never"
We have come too far as a continent to move back to autocracy and dictatorship.
Presidency is not an inheritance. People like Mugabe and Paul Biya of Cameroon should also advice themselves.The people are fed up with them. Upon many years in government they keep recycling old ideologies.
Pride has eaten them up!
It's not too late for them to step down peacefully to be become private citizens.
Our continent has suffered too much bloodshed.
Asaase Yaa" to wit Mother earth is tired of swallowing innocent blood. Why can't we change our mindset as Africans???
Why is some leaders so wicked and callous???
We are not going to sit down for one person to intimidate millions.
The people of Gambia are have had more of Yayha Jammeh. It's time for him to pack his luggage.
We can not continue to let tyrant and autocratic leaders like Yayha Jammeh destroy beautiful lives.
On 2nd December 2016 , my Gambian brothers and sisters at YALI West Africa ,jubilated because a new Gambia was born. I felt it within myself.I celebrated with them because I believe in 1 Africa.
The Smiling Coast of Africa, the beautiful country with beautiful people,rediscovered their name. My friends Faderr, Salimatou, Aji, Madiba, Lamin ,Fatima and Yoro Cham always come to mind when I hear The Gambia.
I quite remember the way they jubilated on that fateful day. Seeing my sister Fatima in tears showed how the people of The Gambia were tired of being in the hands of a leader who has made life difficult for them for 22 years. We congratulated them and jokingly told them how we are happy for their independence.
Jammeh had kept the smiling Coast under an iron grip for more than two decades, and there were fears that the eccentric 51-year-old would use violence or fraud to maintain power.
Instead he became a rare dictator to accept defeat in a democratic election, agreeing to hand power to challenger Adama Barrow, a soft spoken leader.
I visited Twitter and Facebook and saw the hashtag #GambiaHasDecided. I was a happy son of Africa because I saw a strong wind of change hovering around our continent.
After making a public call to President Elect Adama Barrow to congratulate him and even commended the Electoral commission for a credible election.
Yayha Jammeh, couldn't bury his pride. His earlier acceptance of defeat was a deceit. Such a serial liar! More deadly like a viper but coward like a chick.
He lied to the World. On that day he lost himself. He became that leader who can't keep his word. Such a monumental loser.
Upon all the harm he's caused this country,he worsened their wounds by making that U-turn.
He took the world by a surprise by condemning the results.Immediately I heard this, I saw the level of Jammeh's cowardice.
Leadership is not a position and one person can't inflict pain in the people for that long.
African leaders have had several talks between Jammeh, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf and former president of Ghana John Dramani Mahama stalled after Jammeh refused to relinquish power.
If persuasion fails, force is applied. This is the time to take serious measures and drive him out of the Smiling Coast.
This is the way to go. Let's kick Jammeh out of office. Gambia has decided.
No amount of intimidation will change the fact that Adama Barrow will be installed as the president of Gambia on January 19th.
If Jammeh fails to handover peacefully,he should be declared an enemy of the State and be dealt with accordingly .
I therefore entreat ECOWAS to prepare thoroughly and face Yayha Jammeh because he has disrespected the West Africa community.
It is obvious that he is afraid to face justice for all the crimes against Gambia and the international community, at some point he may end up in prison on drug and weapon charges and murder, but at least be will be alive and enjoy a reasonable comfortable life if he steps down peacefully.
As Obama said "nothing can stop millions of voices calling for change" Gambia voted for change and God has spoken. To my Gambia brothers and sisters, you are not in this alone. Don't run to seek refuge.Let's make ourselves proud by standing for our rights.This is the time to defend your beautiful country. The country is not for Jammeh. It's yours. The future is bright. Fear not!
Don't forget this Ghanaian quote "when ever an animal is about to die, it keeps rushing"
Jammeh's time is up! If he doesn't step down, he won't live peacefully like the Johns of Ghana, the Good Luck Jonathan's and the Mbekis.
He has denounced his statesmanship. I believe in the new Gambia. I believe in Africa.
#GambiaHasSpoken
We are all in this together!!!
I'm waiting for a beautiful inauguration of the Gambia.
Welcome Mr. Adama Barrow. You are the chosen. Make Gambia proud again.
By Kenneth Gyamerah
0245098416
[email protected]
Tuesday’s downpour destroys ceiling of Circuit Court '8' in Accra
SOEs shouldn't compromise on ethical standards, accountability – Akufo-Addo
Father of 2-year-old boy attacked by dog appeals for financial support
Jubilee House National Security Operative allegedly swindles businessman over sa...
Nobody can order dumsor timetable except Energy Minister – Osafo-Maafo
Mahama wishes National Chief Imam as he clock 105 years today
J.B.Danquah Adu’s murder trial: Case adjourned to April 29
High Court issues arrest warrant for former MASLOC Boss
Align academic curriculum with industry needs — Stanbic Bank Ghana CEO advocates
Election 2024: We'll declare the results and let Ghanaians know we've won - Manh...
