Back and Next - Back and NextPARAMOUNT SEYFO SWORN-IN
Monday, February 25, 2008
As the National Council of Seyfolu is inaugurated
A joyous carnival atmosphere enveloped Brikama Town on Friday, as President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh and virtually all his senior government officials descended on the Western Region’s capital to enthrone the Paramount Chief of The Gambia.
More than 40 chiefs from all over the country were present, as was the vice-President, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chief justice, secretaries of state, the chief of Defenece Staff, regional governors and members of the National Assembly.
This was a programme in the 43rd Independence Anniversary Celebrations, and it turned into an ocassion of rejoicing as numerous cultural groups performed for the gathered dignitaries and citizenry.
Jaliba Kuyateh got the ladies on their feet and gyrating their stuff as he played some of his most popular and rhythmic songs. To the pleasure of the various groups who were not on the day’s programme but had come prepared to perform, all were allowed to perform, to the obvious pleasure of the president who was enjoying it all enormously.
The secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, Hon Ismaila K Sambou, gave the first address, describing the occasion as a momentous one since the government was taking steps to re-establish the power of The Gambia’s chieftaincy system which had been weakened by a colonial Act in 1942.
The newly enthroned paramount chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang
On his part, the president emphasised that the colonial system of divide and rule had as its first act tried to weaken and destroy the old traditional systems that had held our society together. "Those whom they had given short trousers and a tie to wear they considered civilised and loyal, while they tried to do away with those who followed our traditional culture and dress code", said the president.
"A tree without strong roots is easily uprooted by wind", said the president. "Our traditions are our roots and the colonialists found it easier to control us if they did away with our roots". The Alkalo is the head of the village and his authority should be respected, there said the president, adding "I may be the president but when I go to Kanilai, the Alkalo of Kanilai is the boss".
Deliniating on the importance of the separation of powers, the president described the district chiefs as the executive authority in their districts, saying "National Assembly members must recognise and respect the authority of chiefs within the district".
Then the president added, to much laughter and appreciation from the crowd, "It would be a foolish NAM who made an enemy of a chief because I can assure you that such a NAM would not be elected by a chief’s people".
The president emphasised that the important thing was for all authorities to work together in harmony to benefit the people and develop the nation. Finally the president underlined the importance of the rule of law.
"I am the president but I am under the law", said the president, emphasising that the Alkalou, the chiefs and all others in authority are to act according to law. He then advised the chiefs to admininster justice in their districts fairly, saying "apply the law without fear or favour".
President’s human touch
Jaliba Kuyateh’s performance was a memorable part of the occasion, but so was the gesture of the president. Two disabled young men in the crowd wanted to meet the president, but the security was holding them back.
The president saw them and beckoned for them to be allowed through, to the utter joy of the two disable young men who performed joyous and amusing theatrics as they went to shake hands with the president. It was a moment of spontaneous pure theatre which brought much joy and laughter to the crowd. It was also an example of the president’s much famed human touch that continues to endear him so much to his people.
A joyous carnival atmosphere enveloped Brikama Town on Friday, as President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh and virtually all his senior government officials descended on the Western Region’s capital to enthrone the Paramount Chief of The Gambia.
More than 40 chiefs from all over the country were present, as was the vice-President, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chief justice, secretaries of state, the chief of Defenece Staff, regional governors and members of the National Assembly.
This was a programme in the 43rd Independence Anniversary Celebrations, and it turned into an ocassion of rejoicing as numerous cultural groups performed for the gathered dignitaries and citizenry.
Jaliba Kuyateh got the ladies on their feet and gyrating their stuff as he played some of his most popular and rhythmic songs. To the pleasure of the various groups who were not on the day’s programme but had come prepared to perform, all were allowed to perform, to the obvious pleasure of the president who was enjoying it all enormously.
The secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, Hon Ismaila K Sambou, gave the first address, describing the occasion as a momentous one since the government was taking steps to re-establish the power of The Gambia’s chieftaincy system which had been weakened by a colonial Act in 1942.
The newly enthroned paramount chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang
On his part, the president emphasised that the colonial system of divide and rule had as its first act tried to weaken and destroy the old traditional systems that had held our society together. "Those whom they had given short trousers and a tie to wear they considered civilised and loyal, while they tried to do away with those who followed our traditional culture and dress code", said the president.
"A tree without strong roots is easily uprooted by wind", said the president. "Our traditions are our roots and the colonialists found it easier to control us if they did away with our roots". The Alkalo is the head of the village and his authority should be respected, there said the president, adding "I may be the president but when I go to Kanilai, the Alkalo of Kanilai is the boss".
Deliniating on the importance of the separation of powers, the president described the district chiefs as the executive authority in their districts, saying "National Assembly members must recognise and respect the authority of chiefs within the district".
Then the president added, to much laughter and appreciation from the crowd, "It would be a foolish NAM who made an enemy of a chief because I can assure you that such a NAM would not be elected by a chief’s people".
The president emphasised that the important thing was for all authorities to work together in harmony to benefit the people and develop the nation. Finally the president underlined the importance of the rule of law.
"I am the president but I am under the law", said the president, emphasising that the Alkalou, the chiefs and all others in authority are to act according to law. He then advised the chiefs to admininster justice in their districts fairly, saying "apply the law without fear or favour".
President’s human touch
Jaliba Kuyateh’s performance was a memorable part of the occasion, but so was the gesture of the president. Two disabled young men in the crowd wanted to meet the president, but the security was holding them back.
The president saw them and beckoned for them to be allowed through, to the utter joy of the two disable young men who performed joyous and amusing theatrics as they went to shake hands with the president. It was a moment of spontaneous pure theatre which brought much joy and laughter to the crowd. It was also an example of the president’s much famed human touch that continues to endear him so much to his people.
Author: by Dida Halake.
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