Musicman 1
Participants at the ongoing 10th Edition of the
International Roots Homecoming Festival have called for a complete and
un-delayed liberation of Africa in all aspects of human lives in the world,
especially the 21st Century.
The roots participants drawn from Africa, Europe, America and other parts of the
world including the Caribbean Musical icon, Luciano made this historic unified
declaration at a symposium held Friday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, The
Gambia. This year's festival is on the theme "Celebrating African Unity,
the role of Africans in the 21st Century". The symposium was headed by a
five-man panel comprising Dr Momodou Tangara, minister of Foreign Affairs,
International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad; Dr Pierre Gomez, senior lecturer
at the University of the Gambia (UTG); Dr Alieu Badara Saja Taal, also a senior
lecturer at UTG; Nana Grey Johnson, a renowned author, journalist and president
of the Writers Association of The Gambia; and Ebou Moamar Taal, veteran Gambian
diplomat.
Each of the panelists spoke extensively on different topics assigned to them for
presentation and discussion all geared towards achieving the much awaited and
talked about African unity, the unique position of Africa in the 21st Century
and the role of Gambia in the struggle for African unity. Topical issues
presented and discussed at the symposium included advocacy for revival of
Africa, regional initiatives towards Africa's education, culture as a
springboard for Africa's development, good governance for security, and
revisiting Africa's education for indigenes through African languages among
other pertinent issues.
Dr Momodou Tangara described Africa as the richest continent in the world in
terms of mineral resources, but the poorest in terms of human and economic
development thanks to the unforgivable acts of colonial masters in the
continent. Dr Tangara recalled his recent trip to the AU meeting held in
Ethiopia on the theme "Sharing of values". He pointed out that Africa
had similar difficulties with other continents of the world, especially Europe
and China, but they surmounted their challenges. He added that he sees no reason
why Africa cannot overcome its' challenges and be developed like Europe, China
and others. Dr Tangara stressed that Africa must hold on and move with its'
development objectives without compromise in the 21st Century. "We must use
technology to our benefit and development. Technology has made life more easier
for everyone, especially researchers, scholars and those interested in its’
use," he stated.
Dr Pierre Mendy, who presented a paper on revising Africa's education for
indigenes through African languages informed the audience among other things on
the need for Africans to be ready to design Africa's education towards achieving
sustainable development. He maintained that the control and domination of Africa
was done during the colonial period as pointed out in the history of the
continent. He described Africa as a continent blessed with a rich culture,
literature and scientific knowledge as illustrated in the power of healing
deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Asthma among others. He then defended his
topic by drawing an extensive distinction between the role of language and
education in development of any given country across the globe. Mendy also
stated the need for Africans to take ownership of their development objectives.
Ebou Mamour Taal stated that history had revealed that the origin of man on
earth and civilisation began in Africa in Egypt, hence has seen no need why the
continent should make it like other continents of the world. The ex-Gambian
diplomat then made extensive reference to the ex-empires of Mali, Ghana, Sine
Saloum, the start of colonialism in Africa and the impact of the slave trade on
The Gambia and the continent as a whole.
Nana Grey Johnson, veteran journalist, author and president of Writers
Association of The Gambia, spoke about the need for good governance and security
in Africa towards achieving development objectives of the continent. He quoted
several eminent scholars and intellectuals of outstanding repute such as Kofi
Annan, the ex-secretary general of the UN; and Kwame Krumah, the founding father
of Ghana's independence among others to back up his paper at the panel.
Dr Saja Taal also defended his topic on the revival of Africa. After a brief
introduction of his topic, he spoke to the audience with reference to his
earlier written thesis on Pan-Africanism, a suspended idea and the need to have
those ideals turn into reality for the benefit of Africa and her people. He also
made extensive reference to what he called brave and courageous Pan-Africanists
who fought for the liberation and freedom of Africa in the past.
Sanna Jawara & Musa Ndow