Local government elections

Editor

Allow me to congratulate the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands Religious Affairs for the changes effected in the Local Government Act.

I implore SoS Sambou to review the constitution, this time, to change the minimum Educational Qualification of Secondary School Leaving Certificate.  This requirement has been counter-productive and paved the way for mediocre to emerge as elected officials at the third tier of Government.

Past experiences have shown that many elected as Chairmen and  Councillors did not have full grasp of the demands of such offices.

The minimum qualification for aspirants to this tier of Government should be High School level; this important change should be reflected in the Constitution.

The good administrations of the Local Government Council areas are vital to national development as they are closest to the grassroots.

The uncertainty which permeated the Local Government Political scene between 2001 to October, 2007 discouraged many credible APRC aspirants to seek elective offices.  This explains why there are still signs of under-development and poverty despite the huge finding by central Government.



Editor’s Note:

Ebrima, some of the wisest and greatest philosorphers in African cultural tradition are people who could not read and write in the colonial languages. Who is to say that being literate in colonial language is the only route to wisdom? By your standards we would consider greats such as Chairman Mao, Muhammed (SAW), Jesus Christ and others not fit for public office.