JULY 22ND REVOLUTION TURNS 14

Tomorrow marks the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution; a revolution that laid the foundation for an ambitious vision which has continued to trail all sectors of national development.

Review

On the morning of Friday, 22nd July, 1994, a group of patriotic soldiers of the then Gambia National Army, led by a young Lt Yahya AJJ Jammeh, staged a bloodless revolution that changed the misdirected course of history.

The revolution - wholely embraced by the young and old, ushered in a change of leadership that Gambians had for a long time been yearning for. Massive developments streamed in within a short period of time and Gambians  mobilised in unison to praise the ‘soldiers with a difference’. Accountability, transparency and probity were institutionalised, and corruption and nepotism were flushed out of the administration of public affairs. They became the guiding principles of the revolution in manning public afairs.

A new wave of consciousness and awareness among the masses was evidently conspicuous in the political and socio-cultural terrains of the country.

Unprecedented developments in the country’s political history became the order of the day. In short, a new Gambia was born on July 22.

Grand celebration

As a tradition, a multitude of thousands of Gambians will descend on the historical ground of the revolution, Arch 22, in Banjul, where the grand celebration will be held. Secretaries of state, members of the National Assembly, members of the Judiciary, high profile dignitaries, members of the civil sociey and school children are all expected to grace the occasion.

At the colourful ceremony, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh will deliver what is usually termed as a historic speech, highlighting some of his government’s mammoth achievements and development plans.

After the grand celebration, a host of programmes, ranging from the inauguration of projects to social functions, will also be implemented.

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