By Fatou Sillah
A senior consultant at CepRass, Hamidou Jawara, has said that recent survey findings indicate a growing political awareness among Gambians, a development he described as a cautionary signal for all political actors.
Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Mr. Jawara said the data suggests a population that is increasingly engaged in public affairs and more willing to critically assess governance.
“What this finding seems to show is that Gambians are increasingly becoming more aware of issues, they are becoming more engaged on issues, and they are also becoming more critical of government,” he said.
Mr. Jawara stressed that the trend is not confined to the ruling party but extends across the political spectrum, including opposition groups and those seeking future office. “I think overall it is a warning to every political actor,” he said.
He added that opposition parties, in particular, should take note of the implications of a more politically conscious electorate, noting that voters are unlikely to be persuaded by criticism alone.
“Even if you are not in government, maybe you aspire to be in government, and then people don’t want to hear only criticisms of the government,” he said.
According to him, political actors must now move beyond critique and focus on offering concrete and workable solutions to the country’s challenges. “How do you provide tangible solutions to some of these issues? That might be of interest to potential voters,” he said.
Mr. Jawara said the findings ultimately reflect a positive shift toward greater civic engagement, even as they raise the bar for political accountability.
“Having a critical population, more engaged and more aware, is a good thing for the country, but it affects everyone in the political space,” he said.
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