I am a very lucky man to be counted as a member of this vibrant community. I am also privileged to live in the shadow- shadow and shadow of the like of Samore’ Toure, Sondiyata Keita, Sbsu Kamara (Boatswain),grandfather Chief Musa Kromah, many more contemporary leaders like Alhaji Kromah and Edward B Kesselly amongst others. I am sure most if not everyone in the sight of this piece proud themselves in the same vein. During those days when our forbearers ruled the African Continent, we are told that one of the cardinal rules was the respect for the value system; a system deeply embedded in the tradition of love for one another. Respect for the view of the minority and respectful of dissenting views became very common place. Somewhere down the line, we dropped the ball and became tyrannical, a blame for this behavior can be shifted all around. Whether it is the young and most energetic among us demanding more accountability in the way that might contradict some old held traditions, or our leaders, me included, not being tolerant and mindful of our egotistical shortsighted views, the fact is, we can do better; better because we are the children of Kings and rulers of empires, yes, we are Mandy people. Better because we have pledged to set example for others to follow. Our forbearers protected the rights of the Settlers, who had different orientation from theirs; both religion and culture, to live in a hostile unfriendly tribal environment because of their deep seated appreciation for the rights and views of the minorities.

During the last Senatorial campaign where we supported Prof Kromah's right to participate in that campaign, we were very one dimensional and not very receptive to some of the opposite view propounded by few of our compatriot, including my brother Ousman Bamba-OB. My inability to curtail or avert the vitriol and disparaging comments made by some in support of our argument and to some extend by myself, was at the time an-inexcusable art of selfishness, not representative of our training and vision for a viable community.

Mr. Bamba and others deserve our heartfelt apology and in this public manner I provide this note as an apology and quest for forgiveness. We can not be consider as touch bearer of people's hopes and aspiration and not advocate for peaceful exchanges of ideas. Protecting people’s rights to disagree should be the Mandingo way and the way forward for all of us. It is not withstanding that all of us must learn to be responsible partner in building a prosperous community, but the burden is upon the elders, the learned and the leaders among us to set good example and take the lead.

We felt short of expectation and ask for forgiveness and obviously forgive all those who in the process said some not so good things about us. Whatever comments that was directed at us at the time, was deserving because we dropped the ball and disappointed our brothers and sisters who only quest was seeking some directions.
While respect for our elders is at the top of our value system, tolerance for dissenting
view different from ours, should be at the top of our agenda. We must, however, build a community around mutual respect and tolerance of each others, it is only at this point that we can brag of being a community with strong leaders.