By Fatou Krubally
Veteran politician Hon. Halifa Sallah, has said Africa’s greatest challenge is not a lack of natural resources but what he described as “poverty of the mind,” calling for transformational leadership anchored on knowledge, innovation and collective responsibility.
Hon. Sallah, PDOIS figure made the remarks on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at a seminar organised by SUPDECO Banjul under the theme “Transformational Leadership and Strategic Innovation for Business Growth in The Gambia and Beyond,” held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre.
Addressing students, academics, entrepreneurs and business leaders, he said meaningful development can only be achieved through knowledge-sharing, scientific thinking and cooperation among citizens.
“The 21st century is demanding cooperative leadership where everybody participates in shaping the destiny of countries, continents and the world,” he said.
He stressed that effective leadership requires long-term investment in knowledge, skills, values and experience to serve society.
Sallah argued that Africa possesses abundant natural resources but continues to struggle due to dependency and weak strategic planning.
“We are still importing the rice we need to survive. The water is there, the land is there, everything is there. Your duty is to break that chain of dependency,” he told participants.
He urged young people to prioritise knowledge as a tool for development, citing the PDOIS philosophy: “Know yourself, know your country, know the world, then you will be the architect of your own destiny.”
Sallah also emphasised the role of science, research and innovation in addressing challenges in agriculture, technology and industrial production.
He called for entrepreneurship that goes beyond profit-making to focus on sustainability and national development.
“When you see yourself as a business person, do not only think of making millions. See yourself as a producer contributing to society,” he said.
The veteran politician further advocated for stronger African economic cooperation and the establishment of continental financial institutions to fund development without heavy reliance on external actors.
“Africa is producing oil, gold and diamonds, yet we still depend on outsiders to finance our development,” he noted.
Sallah concluded by urging policymakers, institutions and citizens to continue promoting innovation, self-reliance and knowledge-driven development, saying Africa’s core challenge lies in mindset rather than resources.
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