A president warmly shaking hands with his people regardless of their rank is rare to see these days – if not impossible. To see a president daring to swim with his constituents in an open beach is an experience of a life time. A president going equal to the challenge of building two 300+ long roads, traversing some of the roughest, rockiest terrains is an honor incarnate to a nation.

A president who transformed main national airports and raised their level of dependability to international standards, pot-holed streets and arterial roads to paved ones and city skylines to world-standard dreams in a very short tern under his leadership  a daunting, worthy figure to compete against by itself.

A president who, in his term in office, hands out staple foods, shelter, equipment to the needy, re-builds the army and security forces from near-scratch, equips them, raises their salaries, gives them ranks, speeds up employment opportunities, re-kindles self-help schemes in public minds and spirits and, single-handedly, bucks an insolent, insouciant world by showing them that a tiny nation can stand on its feet and leap forward to unprecedented development is an icon to be proud of.

A president that revived the pride of a very proud nation, and held them together against all odds has no equal in the eyes of all Somalilanders.

Not only has President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud ‘Siilaanyo’ amassed honor points during his current tenure in office, but his track record in the past alone cannot find a parallel. One only need find glimpses of his true character in, for instance, attached clips.

The very warm coverage that the Somaliland media has made of the president’s tour of duty from the furthest western point of the nation, onward to the furthest eastern corner bears testimony to how all of Somaliland presently rallies behind its president.  The tour has, furthermore, highlighted how the president has the highest confidence on the capability, integrity, and forward-looking deportment of his nation. The bulk of Somaliland media showed that it is right alongside the president on his quest for a country that relies on its own resources, and turns its dreams to reality through its own sheer determination. The media has shown that Somaliland is indeed the shining example of self-dependence in a world fraught with insecurity in spirit, principle and outlook.

If one had to put all of his detractors on one scale against his, the outcome would have been a foregone conclusion.

Long live Somaliland!

Sulman Abdurahim

Introduction of Free Primary Education in Somaliland was the best investment but it has adverse effects on teachers and learners. There are so many learners in primary level but we have few teachers, example; ratio of learners to teacher is approximately 70:1 per class. Teachers cannot handle the pressure of attending to many learners within the same time; therefore, many learners remain unattended to especially during assignments or exercise, which later lead to poor performance. Here, in Somaliland primary education is free but learners do not learn hence poor quality of education. Due to high rate of enrolment by learners, there are class shifts because of no enough classes.  Some learners come to learn in the morning while others in the afternoon, in cases like this, teachers are not be able to know whether a student came to school or not, hence many learners become drop-outs because no one shows concern about their whereabouts. Generally, after final primary education, there are always many learners to join High School. When it comes for secondary schools many students are not able to due to lack of fees, hence cannot get the chance to further their studies.  Consequently, that has brought that our boys become lawbreakers and way-layers in the society due to idleness and burdens to society.

 Low payments demoralize Somaliland teachers; therefore, they teach for the sake and not enjoy their work. With no motivation, teachers cannot deliver appropriately to learners hence making their work boring hence they don’t teach, only give out notes to be copied or written in the black board. They also start private schools where they spend much time instead of attending to governmental jobs. Several teachers opt to work in other sectors or their own business, as they get bored in education sector, the pay is low and with too much work to be done.  It seems that many teachers prefer working in well-paying jobs and at the end teaching profession is going to be lost and that will increase the shortage of teachers that has already overwhelmed the quality of the education in our country.

One of the worse thing for our teacher is that Instead of imparting knowledge and skills in students, they drill them to pass examinations and get recognitions; we end up not producing intellectuals but puppets, this makes learners lack knowledge and skills at work and can be easily manipulated by their bosses. There is no spaces and free time which is a vital part in child’s development both socially and psychologically.

There are semi-literate or uneducated government workers in our country. Some occupy very important posts in the ministry of education and this is bad example to youths who argue that,” it is not important to go to school to get a better job or earn a lot of money.” This actually shows that education is not the key to success. Moreover, when it comes to making vital decisions in the government or negotiating Aid Agencies, it is always a challenge because they easily get manipulated, reason, they don’t have knowledge and skills in handling office matters. No proper education no good leadership.

On other hand in our schools there are mixing slow learners and fast learners and normally, some people need special attention to perform better. In our country, this is not considered; slow and fast learners are mixed in class. Fast learners always feel lugged behind and find class so boring while slow learners always feel ignored and get demoralized. Their class work is always poor and cannot perform outside their capabilities. Finally, slow learners turn to get aggressive and drop out of school.

To my recommendations start with, Somaliland government need to hire enough teachers to match with number of scholars. Example the ratio of learners to teachers should be 30:1. Learners need proper attention to perform better. You should not only give free education but you need also to make sure that learning process is going on for education to have a meaning. In addition, governments need to offer funds to schools for building extra classes to accommodate all students in order to avoid class shifts. Teachers will be able to know who is in class and who is not. This will make work much easier for teachers in handling their students and understanding their needs and in the end students’ performances will be boosted.

Governments also need to regulate examination system in order to avoid administering too much exams to students in short intervals. This will give students time to stop reading too much and enable them to socialize and play with others which is vital for their development. They absorb contents taught and put into practice. This eliminates drilling by teachers and instead imparting knowledge and skills in learners. Moreover, syllabi should be relevant and equal to the number of years in each level of education to avoid unnecessary free time. Students will get enough time to spend with their parents and fellow age-mates, hence stress free and this surely will boost their academic performance.

 Leaders are role models in the society and should set good examples to their people. With good educational background, our people will know that without education, no good jobs and this will make future aspiring leaders to work hard in school to meet the set qualifications. This motivates youths to study hard, hence promoting education. The government should also emphasize in employing only qualified and Certified teachers to various education institutions and even private education should be enforced not hire uncertified teachers.

At the end, the future of Somaliland educationally lies in the hands of our leaders. You have the ability to leave a lasting legacy during your tenures by meeting all educational needs like good classrooms for all, providing good educational foundation to our  youth, employing enough teachers for every student to get attention and giving the best motivation to the teachers by understanding their needs.

                                                                                Thanks

Mohamoud Dahir Omar

Education Analyst

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Tell: 4423327

What Really Causes Corruption in Africa?

What are the causes of corruption? Why do people choose to be corrupt rather than honest? in Somaliland, corruption has been a topic of discussion and in most cases in Mosques, the Imams, are preaching and praying that corruption has to be eradicated, in classrooms, university lectures and parliaments, but has there been a discussion on what really causes corruption in our beautiful land of the brave?

It’s only by finding out the root of the problem that the main problem can be solved.

A comprehensive dossier, or reports out this week have exposed that the entire Eu institutions are all corrupt, the very people that lectures and preaches,the rest of the world about anti corruption and promoting equality transparency and accountability.

So this is not an African problem or issue any more, it is worldwide syndrome. The most corrupted country on earth is the USA, all their congress and senators are millionaires, to be politician in the USA you need to be a shrewd, business minded person. They act like gangsters talk like Mia, and steal other country’s natural resources gas, oil gold and minerals. The very people that dominate American Foreign Policy are the biggest crooks of all the U,S stock brokers, bankers arm dealers the hawks and war mongers, The C,E,O oil companies,

All they do for a living, is to sanctioning illegal and in moral wars, in order to illegally occupied sovereign countries by toppling legitimate governments in the process and replacing, with useless weak, and undemocratic hand, picked,puppet authorities the so_ called green zone protection, government, which is friendly to their Geo business interests.

Since The economic melt down caused by the bankers,of the U,S and and Europe the bankers, bail out made the already rich, richer and the poor, the poorer, forcing many families homeless, welfare cut, and unemployment is all time high in mainline Europe. So now we all know who really benefited, from the Libya and Iraq war, and subsequently controls Libya and Iraq oil fields.

, Whilst the rest of the country in Iraq and Libya falls into the hand of warlords, jihadist, extremist, and in complete anarchy. Well this is the price innocent people have to pays for the wrong doing of others, driven, and motivated, by greed, money and power, by any means necessary.

So therefore it is vitally important that we should strive and inspire to create a fair,and just society based on Islamic values, whereby, we support and look after the needy and the most disadvantage in our communities.

In conclusion Somaliland political leaders  of all parties, needs to understand  the people that  put them  in power  expect delivery and value for money not, a   cheap political point scoring,  and squabbling.

By:   Ali A. Ismail  Dheeg  Burco___ Somaliland

The Passing of a Legend: Mohamed Suleiman, But Legends never die

Mohamed Suleiman has joined the legends of the yesteryear, legends that changed the course of history, legends that left behind voluminous work that will be passed from generation to generation. He joined the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin, Mary Macleod, Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. Dubois, Saladin, Omar Ib-nal-Aas and many others, but their legacy, work and spirit never died and will never die. He has born in Laalays a small town near Berbera in 1941. At an early age he found himself to be a genius vocalist and legendary singer. He started his singing career in Radio Djibouti, but due to restrictions imposed on him by the then French colonial authorities, he came back to Hargeisa, and joined Walahalla Hargeisa and Radio Hargeisa in  “1956”. One of his hit songs in “1958” was “ Waan Daale EE Daayaa Idamaqdee II Dawada.” Almost at the same time, he was singing “Aroor”. Some of its lyrics are as follows: “Hibooy Anba Waan Ku Haybinaya Inaabti Ma Ii Hanwayntahay.” History can never forget Mohamed Suleiman’s 1960 hit independence song is as follows: “ Waamahad Al-ee Madaheen Banaan. Waa Mahad Alee Malalootigii Meesha Daran Ka Yimid, Maantabaa Haday Ina Magan Sadeen.”

Short Poem

Passed today is the king of kings

The real kings of all songs

His golden voice will never be forgotten

His magical voice will never go away

His physical body may have gone today

But his amazing work and soul will be eternal

And will surely be passed from generation to generation

Legends die but in the true sense not really die a rather confusing assertion. Here are the great philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, Pluto and others, the great geniuses of science and mathematics people such as Democrats, Pythagoras, Newton, Einstein,  and others. The founders of the exceptional American Republic were all great visionaries in their own rights, and with their own human flaws. But all of them have something in common, all of them have died, but they have never been forgotten. Every single day, America and the world remembers great men like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, James Monroe, American civil rights and human rights legends such as Frederick Douglas, W.B. Dubois,  Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Mary Macleod Bethune, Sojourner Truth, A. Philip Randolph, and so many others. In the same token Mohamed Suleiman will be remembered forever.

The king of songs of all times has passed away from home in a strange land , where nobody knows his personality, gentleness, humility, humbleness, and above all his legendary status. He was one of the first generation of Bulwo or Heelo sings in Somaliland and the entire Somali speaking world for that matter. Mohamed Suleiman became one of the early members of the Walaala Hargeisa musicians and singers. Walaala Hargeisa has been founded by two legends, Abdullahi Qarshe and Mohamed Said “Guuroon Jire”.  All Somalilanders and all Somali speaking people will remember the king of melody forever. Today we may have lost an indispensable son, but his spirit will be with us forever. The great one will be buried in “Laalays” which is small town near Berbera. The Somaliland government will conduct a state funeral for the legend. 

Other greats of his amazingly brilliant and irreplaceable generation who already died were Abdullahi Qarshe, Mohamed Yusuf, Mohamed Omar Huryo, Dararamleh, Osman Mohamed Abdulkarim (Osman Gaanlaw), Halimo Khalif Magool, Abdullahi Abdi Shube, Hussein Aw Farah and many others.

Other legends younger than him who also passed before him were the two Mooge brothers Mohamed and Ahmed Mooge Liban, Mohamed Omar Mushteeg (Faisal), Farhiya Ali, Kinji H. Adan and many others. 

The repertoire of his songs is so long, so rich and so amazingly great, but I will try to give you glimpses of some of his songs. 

A short list of his hit songs is follows:

Nayruus, Hooyoi, Gufaao, Balkaalay Bilanay, Malyoon Hiba Masiisteen, Beryahaygu, Gaari Dumar, Haawo, Dhibaatadda Jacaylku, Raaheeye, and Gabadhaan Gardaadshay

              Suleiman Egeh is a freelance writer and a senior science instructor.

By Goth Mohamed Goth

A humanitarian aid consignment made up of 1000 bags of assortments food stuff mainly consisting of mainly rice, flour and sugar will for the first time delivered through land and sea for the first time to be contributed to families living in Sahil region.

Today in a formal ceremony held in the port of Berbera, The governor of Sahil region Mr. Ali Gadh-Dheer and the Mayor of Berbera Mr. Abdi Shakur Idin received the consignment of food aid from the Ms. Amina Mohamed Diriye ,the director of humanitarian agency in the Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation who was in charge for the distribution of the Presidential gift which came in form of the food stuff.

Also present at the Berbera port to receive the Presidential food donation were the Mayors of the coastal towns of Hagaleed and Laasciidle who were tasked with the distribution of the food aid to their constituents.

This is the first time ever in Somaliland that humanitarian aid has been distributed simultaneously through sea and land.

SomalilandPress.Com

By Goth Mohamed Goth

H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo has today joined of students of the Berbera Marine Institute who were training in one of the pristine beach of the port city of Berbera for a swimming session.

President Silanyo speaking at the at the site used by the Berbera Marine College training its students in one of the unspoiled beaches of Berbera said, “I am happy today to see and spend time with the youth of this nation who are determined to learn and research issues related to the sea and which I hope will in future also provide a friendly and flourishing research culture beneficial to the people and nation as whole, this should be an example for other youth that there are alternatives for dangerous endeavors such as illegal migration.

The school produces graduates who follow International Maritime Bureau standards and regulations, including those against piracy. The Berbera Marine College became fully functional in the last five years, with more than 100 officers graduating from the college each year. Somaliland’s government established the college after the need for a navy to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking arose in the region.

President Silanyo spend most of the todays evening swimming and relaxing in the pristine beach flanked by a several cabinet members and top military brass.

SomalilandPress.com

Click link below to watch the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phd_Jn67s2w