5th AKWAABA - African Travel Award 2009

Biography: Jawara, Sir Dawda Kairaba (1924-)

Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was born on 16th May 1924 in Barajally, located in what was then the McCarthy Island Division of The Gambia now the Central River Region. He was educated at Mohammedan Primary School in Banjul and at the Methodist Boys High School also in Banjul. In 1947 Sir Dawda then proceeded to Achimota College in Ghana and in 1948 to Glasgow University, Scotland where he studied veterinary medicine. In 1953 he qualified a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) and obtained a Diploma in Tropical Veterinary Medicine (DTVM) from Edinburgh University in 1957.

From 1953 Sir Dawda served as Principal Veterinary Officer in The Gambia resigning in 1960 to lead the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP). Following his election to Parliament in 1960, he was appointed Minister of Education a position he held for 2 years being appointed Premier in 1962- when The Gambia attained internal self-government. Sir Dawda led his country to independence in 1965 and his party (PPP) to success in the general elections in 1966. He was knighted by the Queen in 1966 and honored with the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in 1974. He continued to be Prime Minister until 1970 when, after the adoption of a Republican Constitution in a referendum, he became the country’s first President.

During his terms as President Sir Dawda’s work in the area of human rights stands out as a notable contribution to regional development and stability. Sir Dawda was one of the principal advocates of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In July 1979 at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Monrovia, Liberia, it was agreed to establish an African Charter of Human Rights. A series of meetings of African jurists were held in Banjul between 1980 and 1981 to agree the legal framework. On 27th June 1981, the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was adopted and eventually entered into force on 21st October 1986. The ‘Banjul Charter’ (named after the capital city of The Gambia) recognized the efforts put in by The Gambian Government to establish what was an important vehicle for the protection of human rights.

Jawara, Sir Dawda Kairaba Speech at 5th aftm 2009

I will begin by thanking the organisers of this event – in particular the indefatigable Ikechi Uko Travellers Weekend Limited, for the warm welcome reserved for me and my party and also for what by any standards is a well organised event. I would also like to thank Eagle Airlines for their service. The stands look magnificent, and without prejudice I think the Gambia Tourism Authority stand, stands out above all the others but unfortunately for them I am not one of the judges.

I am deeply honoured to be receiving this African Legend Award especially since the award is presented by none other than Sir Emeka Anyoukou. I do regard myself as an African tourist extraordinaire having so far visited many African countries, many of them, several times so far. I believe this annual event is continuing to promote African tourism it also gives travellers access to the continent’s vast range of attractions. We all know that tourism is an important sector for development and economic growth and consequently the reduction of poverty.

It is quite natural that we Africans take every chance to visit the world and even to live throughout the world. Don’t be surprised that there are Africans in each and every continent. This of course is perfectly natural because the origin of man was here in Africa and from here we travelled to the rest of the Continents. If we didn’t travel the other continents would have been empty! Now with the kind of tourism this event is promoting Africa is acknowledged as a tourism bonanza and we therefore extend our warm invitation for the rest of the continents to travel and visit Africa.

Good luck to all the nominees in the various categories and Thank you.

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