Those that characterizing illegal migration as a result of bad government it is a blatant misunderstanding the history of migration or intentionally politicking it. Migration has been taking place since creation and we have to accept that fact rather associating it with politics.
The issue of illegal migration in the Gambia should be a collective concern and effort to mitigate but not to bring political issues into it to weaponise the incumbent government. Recently we have seen how opposition parties are using the topic to attack the president in the name of advocacy and support for the victims.
So far all those associating the tragedy of the issue have not shown any academic justification that the illegal migration in The Gambia is as a result of lack of government commitment to employment. In this regard, whole topic has been centered on political issues instead of national concern to fine remedies for it.
In a dramatic way, we have seen how the self-claim activist has turned the issue to a motivating move by sharing successful boats that have reach the shore Europe, Spain. Ignoring the fact this act is another push factor that young people are looking up to justify their trips to Europe too. You cannot be condemning an act and still sharing stuffs that are promoting what you are condemning. Ebrima migrant and his team should be face with sharp truth and told the truth.
Why are activists and politicians not emphasizing on the hardship in Europe ranging from shelter, jobs security and education. In Europe food is far more expensive than here in the Gambia but the politicians will never say this in their discussions instead blaming the government on economic hardship at home.
Essa Faal, Mamma Kandeh and Ousainou Darboe have all involved themselves in this topic but non of them have contributed to employment creation in the country. How many of the oppositions are investing in agriculture to create employment for the youths. Coming to the laziness of the youths, despite the availability of jobs in the country, young people still sit at homes at ghettos complaining lack of jobs while foreign nationals are taking jobs in the Gambia and earning much better than some in Europe. What is wrong with our young people, is it Laziness, fast money syndrome/ego or the eurorism mind. Not all those who are in Europe has made it and that too need to be understood.
Stop the blame game and bring the solutions to this national problem. Migration is a natural phenomenon that has no boundary and no state can fight it alone, even the most powerful states and Gambia is not an exception to this.
When you are advocating something to be ban or stop, you cannot be using successful stories to convince people that what you are condemning should be stop. I will call this a double standard or civilised encouragement of what is bad.
Saying that President Barrow is not prioritizing youth employment is a grossly misleading and a politically doctored statement. Because who will deny the recent promotions and appointments in the civil service are not young people. Young people has always been the current government’s priority when it comes to employment opportunities. The level playing ground for investors is another achievement of Barrow-led government that no one can deny.
By Adama Njie
Third year political science student at the University of The Gambia.
Disclaimer: The newspaper provides a platform for diverse viewpoints. The views and opinions expressed by contributors, columnists, and correspondents are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Askani Gambia newspaper, its editors, or its publishers.
