Dear Edward Francis Small,
Estelle Morris once said, “Politicians want to create an irreversible change because when they leave office, someone changes it back.”
Every man in the shade today sits because the tree was planted years ago. We can call him Gambian politics’ doyen, pioneer, and father. You educated and freed your people with your pen. Religious leaders opposed British rule before your famous Gambian politics. You’ve been honoured for your Gambian political work. Today, we honour your heroic sacrifice that freed the Gambians. National grandeur depends on mothers’ unflinching dedication and sacrifice. You and other brave soldiers fought for future freedom and dignity for years. Breaking free took time. Freedom fighters like you let us express ourselves, believe in our values, and be proud of our heritage. You died so our nation could live with bravery, honesty, sacrifice, liberty, freedom, and independence. We salute your heart struggles, tenacity, passion, and commitment to our motherland, Gambia, which has grown from peasant cottages, ploughs, huts, cobblers, and sweepers.
“Ask not what your country has done for you; rather, ask what you have done for your country,” Jawaharlal Nehru once said.
Many recognize your exceptional Gambian political accomplishments. You wanted to help Gambians, especially farmers and labourers. Being one of the few educated Africans in the territory, you taught them. Evening schooling was supplied to the villagers.
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The Gambia Farmers’ Cooperative Association began in 1917. At the 1920 Ghana Conference, you gave a powerful address on West African self-rule. Your amazing move created the National Congress of British West Africa and the Gambia branch. In 1922, you founded “the Gambia outlook and the Senegambia reporter”—the colony’s first nationalist newspaper and one of the earliest Pan-African tabloids—to give the people a voice.
You founded Bathurst, the first legally recognized trade union in The Gambia, in 1929. Your greatest accomplishment is rising, not staying put. The 1935 internal issues that broke up the Bathurst trade union, now the Gambia labour union, led to a new union.
“No taxation without proper representation,” was your early 1920s campaign slogan with other West African Patriots to advocate elective representation and give the people tax control. The Ratepayers’ Association won all six African city council seats in 1936, becoming the first political party. Since it benefits everyone, you created this political party in 1930. In French West Africa, you formed political networks because a small group of devoted people with a solid purpose can change history. You were definitely appointed to the Legislative Council to represent Bathurst in 1941. You defeated IM Garba Jahumpa and Sheikh Omar Faye in 1947. Gambians elected their first citizen directly.
You were reappointed to the executive council in 1951 after being appointed in 1947. Mr. Francis Small, these extraordinary achievements led to independence and republic-hood. The people of this great nation only have sovereignty because of you. Light brought you out of the old world. You won after seeing that politics is the art and science of ruling. You and other great thinkers fought colonialism. You campaigned for African racial representation in colonial rule and West African cooperation on common challenges.
Like all true revolutionary Pan-Africanists, you fought between western Christian and Muslim and anti-western forces to set the Gambian people against colonial rule and toward self-determination and independence. You trained JC Faye, Garba Jahumpa, and others to continue the independence movement under your guidance.
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You inspired many, including Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof, who led the 1959 Bread and Butter March that led to Gambian independence. Many Gambians will continue your heritage of independence thanks to your inspiration, freedom, religion, memories, and patriotism.
After your death in 1958, other independence movements prevailed. The Gambia was Africa’s longest-running multiparty democracy. The Gambia’s transition from a democratic government under Sir Dawda to a dictatorial government under Yaya Jammeh, a coalition government under President Adama, and now a Barrow government is an intriguing case study that should be fully examined in the context of African politics. Understanding how the country has changed since independence from Britain in 1965 is crucial.
Mr. Francis Small, since then, the country has thrived and suffered under different political periods in terms of health, economy, education, and security. When the presidential elections were held in 2016, Adama Barrow emerged victorious, and by all means, that was seen as a turning point for the country. Gambians were optimistic that a new dawn had arrived, which would usher in a new Gambia. A new Gambia that was on the right trajectory but got short-lived. What went wrong?
Dear Francis Small, in 2016, President Barrow initiated several reforms, including the Janneh Commission, which revealed how Jammeh’s regime looted the Gambia; the TRRC, which revealed Gambians’ suffering and brutalities under Jammeh; and the CRC, which drafted a new constitution to change Gambians’ lives and political landscape to consolidate democracy and usher in the third republic. Many Gambians who wanted a new constitution were crushed when Parliament rejected this draft constitution.
My dear Edward Francis Small, due to recent massive losses, many Gambians are wary of President Barrow’s policies. President Barrow is offering Jammeh allies key positions in his cabinet. He nominated several for high-level parliament jobs.
Revered Edward Francis Small, “How far has the Gambia come in its 57 years as an independent state?” A million-dollar question.
Is Gambia living up to your agricultural, political, and educational vision? “Where is Gambia in global development?”
Mr. Francis Small, Gambia’s agriculture economy remains undeveloped despite your efforts. Subsistence, rain-fed, and low yields require imports. You fought British exploitation for farmers, but nothing changed. Farmers must feed the nation but have a weak market. The government doesn’t help them grow agriculture, and greedy dealers exploit them. We have patronage and tribalism in politics. We elect inept leaders that jeopardize national prosperity because people aren’t politically educated.
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Education is free in Gambia, but our system is a mess, Mr. Francis Small. Poor education policy and curriculum. High unemployment and insufficient job options for graduates contribute to high crime rates.
After COVID-19, the health sector deteriorated. Paracetamol is scarce in our hospitals. Rising maternal and child mortality. The economy is down, commodity prices are high, house rent is rising, and the cost of living is rising, making it tougher for Gambians to live. Social vices include corruption, bribery, inequity, and high crime.
Finally, our beloved Francis Small, after 57 years of freedom from Jawara’s rule through Jammeh’s and now Barrow’s, the Gambia you envisioned and anticipated has not materialized.
Government change was like repackaging old wine. It tastes like 57-year-old wine. Corruption plagues our nation. Rising debt causes an economic downfall. Gambians are poor. Youth, education, and agriculture are departing for greater possibilities. Poor remuneration makes civil servants live hand-to-mouth. Gambians have had issues since 1965. The Gambia was supposed to be redeemed in 2016 when we overthrew a ruler. Gambians are growing desperate as President Barrow appears to be failing. When will politics’ messiah appear? A good leader will be honest, incorrupt, and patriotic like you. We hope God gives us another leader like you.
This Creative Nonfiction was published in the November 2023 edition of the WSA magazine.
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