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Gambia News : The Gambia-Independence Day

His prepared speech was read on his behalf at various ceremonies presided over by mayors of Banjul and Kanifing municipalities and the governor of the Western Region at the level of their administrative headquarters. A similar ceremony will be held on 25th and 27th February in the remaining four administrative regions�"North Bank, Lower, Central and Upper River�"into which the country is divided.

This arrangement is in pursuit of the government’s decentralisation policy, as opposed to the alternative way, which is to organize the celebrations in the country’s capital Banjul and have representatives from all parts of the country attend.

The observance of independence day normally takes the form of a march past by school children and voluntary organisations with either President Jammeh, or his representative, taking the salute during the march past. The ceremony will come to an end after an address to the school children.

In his speech, President Jammeh stressed that “peace and stability are the cornerstone of our prosperity,” as there can be no development without peace and stability.

He said it is incumbent on Gambians not to be so complacent, especially at a time like this when with rising food and economic prices, the natural inclination of people is to lose hope and easily resort to vices which can destroy them.

Jammeh further stressed that the trying times of difficulty should rather unite them and strengthen their resolve to strive for nation building. He urged Gambians not to allow the peace and stability in this country to slip through their hands because of complacency.

Notably, he said while the business of all is to ensure that there is peace and stability, he enjoined the youth, who form the majority of the population, to play their role and adopt responsible behavior as they grew into adulthood.

“ Your role is crucial,” he stressed as he noted that youth should be disciplined, respectful and law abiding in order to be good citizens who as future leaders will be flag bearers to carry on with the national agenda.

“Let us mark the day with what we can do together to preserve social cohesion and consolidate the gains of development,” he said.

“My government will leave no stone unturned to provide adequate facilities to help the youth realise their potential,” he said as he called on the youths to reciprocate their parents and teachers efforts in promoting unity, peace and order.

It is a part sharing venture, he added, and the youth must reciprocate and be seen to be contributing their quota to national development.

The President spoke of pursuing the development goals of “turning this great country of ours into an economic superpower of the 21st. century.”

In conclusion, he called on all to work together, in sober reflection, to champion the cause of peace to serve as a bedrock to consolidate the gains of development realised since 1994 (when he took charge) and his government’s Vision 2020 objectives.

He thanked multilateral donors and bilateral partners for supporting The Gambia’s attempts tpo achieve the Millenium Development Goals and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), aas well as the Vision 2020 policy paper.