By Seedy Jobe
Babucarr Mansally, the councilor for Tallinding North, has called on President Adama Barrow’s government to give greater recognition and support to councilors, saying elected local leaders are often sidelined despite the role they play in developing their communities.
Speaking in an interview with Star TV on Tuesday, Mr. Mansally, an APRC councilor, said councilors work closely with residents and are often at the forefront of efforts to address community needs, yet he believes they receive little recognition from the authorities.
“They do not value us, the councilors, in this country. They do not respect councilors,” he said.
Mr. Mansally pointed to his own experience applying for visas as an example of the difficulties councilors can face. He said he had twice been given opportunities to travel to Spain to pursue partnerships that could benefit The Gambia, particularly Tallinding North, but both visa applications were rejected.
He described the experience as frustrating, saying that even when local leaders establish connections and find opportunities that could benefit their communities, they may struggle to take advantage of them without institutional support.
Mr. Mansally called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions to do more to facilitate legitimate travel and engagement opportunities for elected local government representatives. He also suggested that councilors be considered for diplomatic passports, arguing that responsible elected officials should be supported when traveling on official or development-related business.
He acknowledged concerns over elected officials who travel abroad and fail to return, but said the actions of a few should not damage the reputation of everyone in public office.
Mr. Mansally condemned officials who abscond after traveling, saying elected leaders have responsibilities to their country, political parties and, most importantly, the people who entrusted them with public office.
He also urged Gambians to move away from what he described as an outdated perception of councilors and to recognize the increasingly important role they play in local governance.
“Let us remove the old way of thinking that councilors are the same as before. Councilors are quite different now,” he said.
Mr. Mansally said that respect for councilors should begin within their own communities, adding that religious teachings also emphasize respect for leaders.
“A councilor is not small. Let them not belittle it,” he said.
He said his work remains focused on advancing development in The Gambia, particularly in Tallinding North, and appealed to the authorities to create an environment in which councilors have the support and opportunities they need to serve their communities effectively.
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