Dear Editor,
Once again, for the umpteenth time, the National Assembly was said to have failed to meet on Thursday due to lack of a quorum. This is quite a serious lapse on this 6th Legislature, in particular, showing apparent lack of regard for the mandate they have been entrusted with.
Considering the millions of public money and resources being spent on the National Assembly, including the fat salaries and allowances for the members as well as the expensive vehicles and numerous other privileges given to them, it is hard to justify the lackadaisical attitude and lack of seriousness that some of them seem to exhibit in carrying out their functions.
Apart from a few dedicated members, it has been alleged that a huge chunk of them are in the habit of either constantly being absent from sessions or simply showing up for a brief period and then disappearing for the rest of the day, apparently to go and pursue their personal errands, thus abandoning what they had been elected (or nominated ?) for, and paid millions of Dalasis of tax payers money to perform. It is indeed quite a common sight of more than half the seats in the chamber being empty during sessions, apparently because some of the members do not treat their work with the seriousness it deserves.
Who should we blame for such a negative attitude towards work shown by these most privileged members of the society? Of course, as head of the legislature, the Speaker should be held responsible for any semblance of indiscipline within the National Assembly. It is his duty to ensure that the members take their work seriously rather than using their privileged positions to pursue personal interest at the expense of their legislative responsibilities.
Obviously, if those recalcitrant members are sure that there would be no consequences for their actions, they would definitely continue with their irresponsible behaviour. Therefore, the Speaker should ensure that stiff penalties are put in place in order to curb such behaviour, which should include notorious absentees being denied some privileges such as overseas travels and a deduction of their sitting allowances.
Let us however hope that those who elected them are also watching and waiting for them at the polls, because the poor Gambian tax payers should not re-elect and continue to spend such huge sums of money and privileges on people who do not seem to value their mandate.
DA Jawo
Kanifing
Africa must become a producer of technology, not just a consumer
Dear Editor,
Africa’s technological progress should not be measured solely by smartphone adoption, internet access or the growing use of digital services. These developments are important, but they do not tell us enough about the continent’s capacity to design, develop, adapt and commercialise technology. The more consequential question is how much economic value African countries and enterprises generate from the technologies transforming their societies.
Technology adoption and production are not opposing activities. Access to imported technologies can improve productivity, stimulate demand and create opportunities for local innovation. The concern arises when growing consumption is not accompanied by sufficient development of domestic capabilities, competitive enterprises and opportunities to participate in the value being created. Africa should not simply become a larger market for technologies developed elsewhere. It should expand its contribution to their development and production.
This does not require technological isolation or the unrealistic ambition of manufacturing every component locally. Modern technology depends on international research, specialised supply chains and cooperation. The objective should be to strengthen Africa’s position within these networks through research, product development, engineering, manufacturing, commercialisation and strategic partnerships. Different countries will pursue different opportunities according to their capabilities, resources and economic priorities.
African entrepreneurs, engineers and researchers are already developing technologies across financial services, agriculture, healthcare, education and other sectors. Their work demonstrates that technological production is an existing reality, not merely a future ambition. Yet developing a promising solution and building a commercially sustainable enterprise are different challenges. Moving from innovation to scale requires technical expertise, investment, reliable infrastructure, viable business models and access to sufficiently large markets.
Education and research are essential to this transition. Teaching people to use technology creates valuable skills, but greater productive capability also requires engineers, scientists, researchers, designers and entrepreneurs who can develop and improve it. Universities and research institutions need stronger connections with industry so that discoveries can translate into commercially viable products and services. Businesses must invest in innovation, while governments can strengthen infrastructure, research support and predictable investment conditions. Regional cooperation can also help firms reach markets beyond the limitations of individual national economies.
The opportunities extend beyond software to artificial intelligence, electronics, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, although each sector requires different capabilities and levels of investment. The objective should not be to pursue every emerging technology simply because it attracts global attention. It should be to identify areas where African countries can build competitive strengths, address genuine needs and create sustainable economic value.
Africa’s technological ambition should therefore extend beyond access and adoption. It should include the capability to develop, improve and commercialise technology, participate competitively in international value chains and retain a greater share of the value generated. This is not about rejecting foreign technology. It is about building the expertise, enterprises and productive capacity needed to contribute more substantially to technological development.
The real measure of progress will not be how many technologies we claim to produce, but whether our growing capabilities translate into useful solutions, competitive businesses, skilled employment and higher productivity.
What would make the greatest difference in helping more African technology enterprises move from innovation to commercial scale?
Dr Lamin K Janneh
Serekunda