The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Amadou Jallow
13 September 2007
At least 150 people, including Serra Leonians, Gambians and Ghanians on Monday, assembled at Farato, Kombo North, to work on a five hectare NERICA rice farm dedicated to President Jammeh by the Youth Movement for Peace and Unity in Africa (Yompua) to help him achieve the aims of vision 2020 by making The Gambia food self-sufficient.
Addressing the participants at the farm, Karafa Sanneh, the farm manager of the Sifoe farms urged the people to embrace President Jammeh because of the goodwill he has towards Gambians. He expressed optimism about the people's answer to President Jammeh's back-to-the-land call. According to him, if all Gambians are ready to work, all arising problems will be overcome. He urged the youths to show respect to their elders, adding that they should not be viewed as dictators but rather as advisers.
He went on, "It does not mean that everything has to be done by the government. I call on Gambians to close ranks in the interest of development".
Momodou Bah, the chairperson of the association asserted that the youths are the backbone of development, adding that if the youths are not developed the country cannot be developed. According to him, the proceeds that will be realised from the farm would go to the Gambian leader who would in turn use it to pay students' school fees and sponsor pilgrims to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage. He underscored the need for togetherness and the need to work as one people.
While commenting on the importance of agriculture in national development, Sheriff Janneh, Chief of Kombo North called on the youths to unite and work towards complementing President Jammeh's aim to make The Gambia a food self-sufficient nation by the year 2020. According to him no nation can be developed without agriculture. He urged the participants to be steadfast in their doings and to work positively towards national development.
Other speakers included Foday Muhammed Kargbo, Chairman of the Sierra Leonian Muslim Jamat in The Gambia, who also commended President Jammeh for his back-to-the-land call. Wuyeh Fatty, Vice-Chairperson, Kombo North APRC Association and Sanusey Darboe all expressed similar sentiments.
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