It is with grave concern that the Gambian political leaders in power are not putting people first
but their own benefits, repeating the same mistakes as in the second decade of Former President
Jammeh that initiated the Change in 2016
“Repeating acts are habits”, it is felt and noted thar the Change was only “the label and but same
content of the bottle.
It can be remembered that foul languages, arrogance and intolerance and worse of all brutality
was the reason for Change.
Despite Jammeh’s impressive infrastructures, created institutions, a robust Development Agenda
with a pool of talented technocrats, innovative Ministers, diverse and reasonable gender
representation, Gambians called for change.
For this change, we expected a government of sincerity and people of integrity who cares for the
people. However, the same pattern continues and even backwards in most areas such as health
and education to name a few.
It is clear to everyone that some of the defenders of this inept government were the loudest
critics and these speaks volume of them.Thanks to technology, we now have Video Assistant
Referee (VAR).
Yes, we know the President has the constitutional right to re-election for as long as he wants to
contest but it is morally incorrect for all the reasons. His reforms agenda were not implemented,
We are now on the National Development Plan 2 when the evaluation of the NDP 1 (2018-2021)
woefully failed.
Even, if there was the improvement on the socio-economic impact on the lives of the people.,
especially those in the upper Gambia where most people don’t have access to water and
electricity, after 10 years of President Barrow do not justify another term for the third time.
There are very poor employment payments in the Gambia as low as D2000 and poor welfare
safeguards of workers, Security officials are under paid and under resourced to police the
communities. Living standards low and costs of goods too high compared to the average
household and individual earnings.
President Barrow’s administration borrowed over D60 Billion more than President Jammeh in 22
years yet Gambians remain worse in these issues. Self-development is the order of the day but
not national development.
It is morally and generally agreed across Africa that two terms is enough to handover the
leadership for another decade and the Gambia signed up to this at ECOWAS level.
In 2026, Gambians especially the youths in determining their future will come out and vote out
the National People’s Party who only privilege the few, government of the few and by the few..
With all these concerns facing the Gambian people, anyone can say what he or she likes but be
rest assured it only exposes who you are and become a public enemy.
Dodou A. B. Ndow (UK)
Social Scientist and political analyst
