We are recording and documenting

By Madi Jobarteh

We are recording and documenting the words, decisions and actions of public officials for the day of decking shall come. For accountability and posterity.

Here is the Government Spokesman Ebrima G Sankareh vehemently defending the NPP Thug Baboucarr Bahoum at a Government function. As rightly pointed out by journalist Omar Wally, the press conference was for journalists like any press conference. Yet Mr. Sankareh did not only allow Bahoum into the room but defended the unruly behavior of this boy. Rather what we see is the severe personal attack Sankareh launched on Omar as a villain which only satisfies Bahoum.

Contrary to his claims, Sankareh was indeed aware of Bahoum’s presence and he knew that Bahoum is not a journalist. Carrying a political party media or press card does not make one a journalist in the professional sense. Sankareh knows there’s a difference between a journalist, and a public relations officer, communications officer or a propagandist.

Once again, this is another incontrovertible evidence of the Gambia Government grooming an agent provocateur as an attack dog to insult, incite, ridicule, and provoke anyone he considers a challenge to the Government and Pres. Barrow.

I wish to remind our public officials that they do not own the Constitution, laws the institutions and the positions they occupy. They are not holding public office for free and for themselves. Rather they must recognize that public office is a public place that belongs to the people. Public servants are mere trustees on behalf of the people. They run public office based on the law and not on their own wishes and desires.

Hence, public officials should be men and women who exhibit the best of values and the highest standards of professional. Public officials must embody and demonstrate courage, fairness, honesty and integrity. They must shun corruption, abuse and selective application of the law. They must serve all Gambians regardless of their tribe, sex, religion, region, political affiliation or role.

Section 222 of the Constitution on the duties of a public officer states that, “A public officer shall respect and comply with the law and shall conduct himself or herself at all times in a manner which promotes confidence in the integrity of public office.”

It is clear from this provision that public officials are not upholding this constitutional obligation in regard to the case of Baboucarr Bahoum. Rather, they are violating this provision as they defend and protect Bahoum who is degrading the rights and dignity of citizens at will.

Section 1(2) of our Constitution establishes the equality of all Gambians when it says, “The Sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.”

We are recording and documenting the words, actions and decisions of public officials for accountability and posterity.

For The Gambia Our Homeland