We have always argued that the adoption of appropriate development strategies is a difficult task yet a decisive factor in bringing about meaningful change to society. This is why development is a many-sided process with diverging objectives and many different strategies, policies and techniques. Therefore the national policies, plans and strategies to be adopted must be diligently designed to bring about an even and effective development that would support a decent livelihood. Such national policies can better function if there is great self-reliance on the part of the nation.

It cannot be argued otherwise that developing The Gambia to become a self-reliant nation is one of the prime ambitions of the government. This can be explained by the fact that the leadership has realised that development cannot be achieved if we continue to depend on outsiders for our survival. The back-to-the-land initiative is one among many projects that are speaking for themselves in this respect. What is more important is that the people, with the help of the national policies, are willing to become active agents in our collective development process. The Rural Electrification Project is also in place and rural communities are evidently enjoying the fruits of the project, the eroding interest and the general ill will against agribusiness and rural investment in general can be restored. Development is a step-by-step process. It requires common will and painstaking efforts. What is important is that there is still more need for attitudinal change on the part of the people so that together we can facilitate our development and transform The Gambia into the Silicon Valley of Africa. Much more, the youths should come all out to take ownership of the opportunities so that together, we can cut down the dependency ratio.