What makes a government change..

By Professor Mballow, Social and Political analyst In analysing about the current controversies in the Gambia such as the parliamentarians’ failure in representing their electorates, the diasporan voting bill, the constitution, the government’s failure in addressing corruption, the high frequency of scandals, the mismanagement of public funds, among many other bad occurrences, I want to declare that it is just a shame and embarrassment as a nation.This, if care is not taken may generate severe protest or uprising by angry mob and then it will undoubtedly force the government to bite more than what it can chew. How to move government is one of the key questions that citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs) ask themselves. And we don’t always have good answers to this question. Failed and successful advocacy campaigns must have a 100 to 1 ratio.Of course the answer to this million dollar question depends on the country and a large number of other factors. A country that is heavily dependent on imports would worry more about international investor and media opinion than in a country whose economies are more inward looking.Sometimes change is driven by reform minded people. I have found out that standing up against government’s bad policies and activities will sometimes move government to bring about reforms.So from all of the possibilities and variables, what should we say is the most likely strategy to move our government? Do we have any examples of how this works? Which successful advocacy campaigns should we involve in and how should we get this government to do what we want? Therefore , for Gambians to get out from this mess, will involve one thing, which is to unite in solidarity and effect change.