A SIP FOR THE "GELE GELE YOUTHS" OF THE POLITICIANS

A SIP FOR THE "GELE GELE YOUTHS" OF THE POLITICIANS

BY: SULAYMAN LECTURER DARBOE

Political Science student, UTG

It is in the spirit of nationhood that I  unconditionally write this brief message for your consideration and consumption before you anxiously but with little calculation,  reach at your registered polling station to cast your vote. Take some seconds and breath because the choice you are about to make is what has led many countries in the world on the limelight but also put many, including the Gambia in a trajectory  of streets and dreams with no lights for over five decades of self-determination. 

First of all,  I wish to congratulate you for onboarding the "Gele Gele" touring the length and breath of this  country with so much committment, dedication and appeasing dexterity.  I can express without mixed feelings that your availability for such a duty was either fueled by your inherent love and desire to be involved or your remoteness to be "tooled" and fooled at the detriment of your future and many lineages linked to you. However, whatever the reason was,  I still have the heart to congratulate you but not without cautioning you as you head to the polls.

My beloved brothers and sisters on the "Gele gele", few years ago, I saw you clapping, dancing and singing on top of the 'Gele gele" with so much joy and enthusiasm. I took this as ordinary and usual until this year when  the same faces resurface on the same"Gele geles" with the same songs singing and dancing. I then thought but wisely that this is no more usual and any effort to widen their horizon will be of grave national interest. Infact, it is what has given birth to this sudden enlightenment.

Sympathetically as you read this message, I want to let you know of my worries, concerns and cries because seeing you onboard the "Gele gele" in those states of fanfare, arguably showed how disjointed most of you are from the corridors of employment, empowerments and growth. It only shows how most of you are married to frustration, pleasure and  petty rewards at the detriment of your future and the generations linked to you.

I know you are so glued and in love with the "Gele gele". I know vividly that you have a team of dexterous dancers and singers whose abilities are  hunted by the political pundits just because of their interest. I know is not because of your  dexterity  alone, but is because you are available for it. Why are you available for it? It's because you don't have jobs or the available ones are highly scolded. At this juncture, I wish to wholeheartedly submit to you that, to be dancing and clapping on the "Gele gele" is not your destiny. It only reflects the present state of how frustrated and unoccupied  your population-  the youthful population, is.

As you head to the polls today, please make the right choice. Do not jeopardize your future! You must not compare the little compensation offered to you with a decision that could offer you jobs for sustainable livelihood. It is important for you to note that you have fought so much and you have benefited little. Therefore, you should be led by your conscience which should be further guided by the desire to promote the common good. At this present moment, the common good lies in voting for a government whose availability for you and I will forever be unquestioned. 

Do not be carried by their tongue, but by your own  desire to bring change! Otherwise, in five years coming, you will go back on the "Gele gele" with your own children dancing and clapping just because you needed to do it  in order to live for the next day. 

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!