Civil Society Organizations in the Gambia on Sunday 25^th May 2008 mark the African Liberation Day (ALD) at TANGO Resource Center in kanifing. The observance of the day took the form of a press briefing.

Director of TANGO Mr. Ousman Yabo chaired the occasion and Interim Chair of Civil Society Organization, Amadou Taal and Madi Ceesay of Media Agenda presented papers which were followed by discussions from the floor.

In his presentation, Taal said, one cannot talk about African Liberation Day without reference to some great leaders like Nrummah, Seku Touray, Julius Nyerere and others like Malcolm X who do not live in Africa.

African liberation movement started a way back to early fifties, he said. In 1958 Sudan, Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Libya, Egypt, and others met to discuss about the liberation struggle. He indicated that what Nkrumah said in the fifties is still valid. ALD is celebrated all over the world, it is important to note that after 1963, when ALD was declared, there have been some very important developments.

In July 1979, African heads of states meet to look at the situation of the African economy, in promoting it, and to create national and sub-regional organizations and also human resource development to be given high regards. In 1980, there was Lagos Plan of Action (PLA)  this came as a result of the Liberian meeting of our heads of states the out come of which the World Bank was not happy. Then, they came up with Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). He said Africa’s food crisis was partly due the SAPs. Taal said Africa is more trouble with food shortage or price increase today than before.

Taal concluded by urging the people to concentrates on food production, otherwise crisis will not end, “you cannot be liberated if your food depends on people outside one’s home”. Taal

Madi Ceesay of the Media Agenda began his presentation with a quote from Nkrumah, who said “a United Africa is destined to be a great force in the world affairs. So the battle has joined, and we cannot disengage, until the wishes and aspirations of our people have been met”

African Liberation Day is a day set by our leaders for observation , and self examinations.43 years ago when Nkrumah delivered his speech at the first meetings in Ghana , where he welcomed among their midst Sir Dawda Jawara who was  then Prime Minister of the Gambia. Told the assembly that Gambia’s accession to independence was of great significance because her independence closes the chapter of British and French colonialism in this part of the continent.

“Every where in Africa, our economies are crumbling , our treasuries are getting empty , we are becoming client states, none of us can stand alone. There cannot be any meaningful liberation and we shall remain in that condition until we take the economic and political destiny of Africa into our own hands.” Nkrumah said

Ceesay told his audience that what Africa lack today is courage but not wealth. He gave example of DR. Congo, of which he said   in 2000, Sony Play station 2 an electronic product, because a high rise in the share price of coltan to $500 per kg.  Sony sales and revenues between October and November 2007 rose sharply, thanks to sales of Play station 2. Revenue increased by 9.6% and net profit rose 25.2% to $1.88bn according to Japanese media reports.

Yet, miners in DRCongo where the Coltan is extracted are paid less than $1 per kilo. Over 80% of the world’s known coltan reserves are situated in Eastern DR.Congo. This is just to show how powerful Africa can be with unity and proper management and control of our wealth. Ceesay said what we needed is a unity government with a consolidated economy. Then he quoted Nkrumah backing his arguments

“An African Common Market of more than three hundred million producers and consumers should have a productivity, a purchasing and bargaining power equal to any of those trading and currency bloc which now rule the commerce of the world.

Who is there to oppose or frustrate us, if we only have the course or form an All – African Union government? Can the industrialized nations do without our raw materials- or will they come running to us, as we have been running to them, for trade on equitable terms? What we lack today is courage and not wealth” said Nkrumah.

He ended by saying Africa has remained static, lifeless and at a cross road. Giant billboards Aids, wars corruption and starvation have become conventional symbols of its indelible shame. All we needed now is enlighten citizenry who should be able to effect changes when it is necessary by democratic means.  The civil society has a role in that and they must assert that role.

In the discussions from the floor members of the civil society were concern about the haste organization of the day and said next time enough time should be given. Mr. Yabo explains that the day is important and there was a need to mark it as others all over the continent were doing it. He however said next time their points will be considered.

Kebba Barrow TANGO Programme office delivered a vote of thanks.