By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow on Saturday dismissed criticisms of his public statements, saying that his remarks are frequently misunderstood by what he described as “loudmouths.”
The president made these comments while speaking at the launch of the National People’s Party (NPP) Women’s Enterprise Fund. He recalled an earlier incident at the party’s Bundung Bureau, where he sang the song “Kumun Sah Morom Duma,” which he said was wrongly interpreted by critics.
“When I said this, some people thought I was encouraging physical confrontation in the streets. That was never my intention,” President Barrow explained. “What I meant was working with the mind. A country is not governed through force; it is governed through intellect. Even Allah, in the Quran, speaks to people of understanding.”
President Barrow also referred to public reactions to his earlier comment likening the development of Brufut to Dubai, noting that the statement was taken out of context.
“That is how loudmouths interpret statements,” he said, illustrating his point with an analogy. “If you tell someone on the road that they are as fat as an elephant, it does not mean they are an elephant.”
Despite the criticism, the President said he was encouraged by the public response that followed, particularly the circulation of photographs showing the contrast between Brufut’s past and present state of development, including images highlighting poor road conditions that still exist.
He maintained that even his critics acknowledge that Brufut has seen significant development, adding that the message of his song “Kumun Sah Morom Duma” was meant to reflect such progress.
“All that you are seeing today are lightweights; the heavyweights are yet to come,” President Barrow said. “Anyone with the power, strategy, and commitment can replicate this initiative. If you have the capacity and the will, do what the NPP has done.”
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