By Makutu Manneh
With less than six months before Gambians head to the polls, the ruling National People’s Party on Friday unveiled its 2026 election manifesto, a nine-point development blueprint and a suite of digital engagement platforms, seeking to frame the upcoming presidential election as a referendum on its record in government and its vision for the country’s future.
The launch, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, drew a large gathering of government officials, diplomats, party supporters, and political allies. Among those present were Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow, First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, Cabinet ministers, regional governors, and senior party officials.
The event marked one of the most significant milestones in President Adama Barrow’s re-election campaign as the National People’s Party seeks to consolidate support ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
Central to the launch was the unveiling of “Ask Barrow AI,” a WhatsApp-based platform that the party said would allow citizens to submit questions directly to President Barrow in local languages and receive responses through artificial intelligence-powered technology. The platform forms part of a broader digital strategy aimed at expanding voter engagement and improving access to information about the party’s policies and programs.
Addressing supporters, Mr. Barrow, who serves as the NPP’s secretary general and party leader, said the manifesto and development plan represented more than campaign promises.
“These documents are not simply election materials,” he said. “They reflect our continued commitment to national development and the welfare of the Gambian people.”
Mr. Barrow described the policy framework as the next phase of the government’s development agenda, outlining what he called a roadmap for a more prosperous and modern Gambia. He argued that the NPP had matured into a national political movement grounded in peace, stability, inclusiveness, and development.
The party’s mission, he said, extends beyond electoral success.
“Our objective is not only to win elections,” Mr. Barrow told supporters. “It is to help build a stronger, more prosperous and modern nation for all Gambians.”
He pointed to infrastructure projects and other development initiatives undertaken during his administration as evidence that sustained progress is achieved through stable leadership, effective governance, and national peace.
The launch also highlighted the party’s efforts to deepen citizen participation through technology and public engagement.
Seedy Ceesay, the NPP’s administrative secretary, said the initiative was designed to strengthen communication between the party and the electorate.
“The Gambian people should not merely hear about policies and programs,” Mr. Ceesay said. “They should have the opportunity to understand them, discuss them and actively engage with them.”
He said the newly introduced platforms would make information about the party’s vision and programs more accessible to citizens across the country.
Representing the NPP’s alliance partners, Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress and coordinator of the NPP Political Alliances Secretariat, reaffirmed the coalition’s support for Mr. Barrow’s candidacy.
Mr. Fatty described the president as a leader whose performance in office had been tested and proven, adding that alliance members remained united behind his bid for another term. He said the coalition’s objective was not merely to secure victory in December but to obtain a strong electoral mandate.
According to the manifesto’s introductory framework, the NPP’s policy priorities include economic growth, healthcare improvement, youth and women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability and the strengthening of democratic governance.
The document states that the party’s development agenda is guided by principles of fairness, national unity and social justice, while emphasizing what it describes as practical and achievable policy proposals.
The unveiling of the manifesto and development plan signals the formal start of a crucial phase in the election campaign, with the governing party seeking to convince voters that continuity in leadership offers the best path forward for a country navigating economic challenges, rising public expectations and an increasingly competitive political landscape.
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