By: Fatoumatta J Camara & Fatoumatta Baldeh
President Adama Barrow has described history as an integral part of existence and, thus, influences people’s lives and contributes to shaping nations and development trends.
Making this statement on Monday during a breakfast meeting held at Bakadaji Hotel in honor of potential sponsors of the upcoming Georgetown Bicentenary Celebration slated for January 2024, President Barrow stressed that history has proven to be instructive as a source of reference for all shades of people, young and old, all types of communities, rich and poor, and all categories of institutions, formal and informal.
“History embodies all actions and events associated with space and time; hence we are making history by holding this event here. Wisdom dictates, therefore, that we occasionally make reference to history as the sum of human endeavors and their consequences to inform our decisions, plans, and actions,” the President enunciated.
He added that in fact, nations often lean back on their glorious past to mobilize their people for constructive and sustainable development.
The Gambian leader went on that in times of crisis too, the country’s shared history becomes a rallying tool to unite us to strive towards a common destiny, adding that “This is why, personally, I have high regard for history and people who make history.”
President Barrow opined that there will come a time in the annals of every nation when it pays very much to reflect on the past about the present to determine how far people have come, learn lessons, draw conclusions, enrich their experiences, draw inspiration, and prepare themselves for a better future.
According to him, history and culture are inseparable and they have a telling effect on progress and development.
“With this in view, my government positions culture and history at the centre of our national development efforts.
“This is channeled through policies and strategies that, among other things, are aimed at boosting tourism, building a cohesive society, and forging a strong sense of cultural awareness and pride among Gambian citizens,” pointed out.
He disclosed that commemorated the Bicentenary of the settlement of Georgetown with a festival that will be held from 4th to 7th January 2024 in Janjanbureh, CRR the theme for the festival is: Celebrating Homecoming and Our Heritage.
He also said that a key objective of the initiative is to make the forthcoming bicentenary commemoration of Georgetown, now Janjanbureh, a sustainable, independent, more effective, and successful national event.