What kind of leaders will oversee the Gambia in the future?  What kind of youth cadres will that generation have?

On February 18, 1965 when Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was sworn-in as president, Yahya Jammeh and Adama Barrow were just 3 months and 8 days old. Halifa Sallah was 12 years old. Ousainou Darboe was 16 years old. Dr. Isatou Touray 9 years old. Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang was 15 years old. Mama Kandeh was 5 months 8 days old.

The generation of the likes of Pierre Sarr Njie, Ibrahima Garba Jahumpha, Alhagie Sanjally Bojang and so on has gone for good! They had love for mother Gambia. Some of the millennials had no idea of our existence one day in a country called The Gambia. 

Those in their 50s now, were merely in primary school then. The generation of our parents had lofty dreams, both personal and societal. We were always motivated by nationalists and inventors who had impacted positively on the cause of humanity.  We have been voracious readers of novels and other books. Sadly, we represent a handful of citizens only. There are limited authors among our people. We despise our own that have shown excellence in their chosen careers. We crack down citizens that champion public awareness on state affairs. We have no literature icons to celebrate. 

During our school days, we were always flaunting our knowledge of current affairs. Inter-school quiz, literature and debating competition were the in-thing. Nowadays, students can hardly string a sentence together in English without errors.

Fast forward, 54 years on, you are shocked and disturbed.  Have you ever spoken to or engaged a 20-year-old boy?  Ask him what motivates him, and he is likely to mention music, hip hop to be precise. He has hundreds of downloaded songs on his phone. He can sing all of them off hand.  He knows all the singles of Pitbull, Nas, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Youssou Ndour and Wally Seck. 

Young girls have become professional self-paparazzi. They shoot erotic pictures and videos of themselves. The “slay queens” among them take pride in enticing men old enough to be their fathers on social media with buxomly physique.  These young girls engage in unprotected sex with multiple male partners and take morning after pills like chocolate sweets. What is the future of these high school, college and university girls?

Both young boys and girls are heavy alcohol drinkers. They frequent house parties. They host sex competition parties. They engage themselves in illicit drug abuse. These are youngsters ranging the ages of 12 – 18 years old. What is the future of these boys and girls? Our youth do not know anything about the history of nationalism in the country. Ideas about good society, responsible family and the importance of good conduct do not motivate them.

The Gambia has an army of less than three battalion highly demotivated young people. Our youth are hungry. They just want to make money because some friend who is a political cadre is rich and drives a good car, her friend who has numerous ‘aristos’ drives an SUV! 

The things that interest our youth, are things that do not add value. They have Google but never use it for advancement of knowledge but to download porn and other inanities. 

Yet, in twenty years’ time, they are the ones that will be contesting to become Councillors, Council Chairpersons, Mayors, Members of National Assembly and even President. The Gambia will be in the hands of the millennial generation.

They belong to a generation that does not care about morality. They belong to a generation that is motivated only by money and its acquisition. By 2035 to 2040, they will be our Councillors, Mayors, MPs and so on. We wonder if we have ever spared a thought for how this country will look like under them.

Today’s graduates cannot find livelihood opportunities without having a connection or paying a bribe either in cash or in kind. Others are denied opportunities because of their last name. The talk of national unity lacks genuine political will.  Those in the corridors of power seem more determined than any other crop of leaders to amass wealth at the expense of country’s future generations.

Our land is being sold to foreign nationals at alarming speed. Poverty levels keep staggering higher and higher. Unemployment levels are sky rocketing beyond Government control.

How did the Gambia get into this mess? How can the Gambia get out of this predicament? As a politician, parent, are we worried? Are we deeply worried. Are you?

By Alagi Yorro Jallow