Halifa Sallah Urges Gambians to Recognize the Power of Their Votes

By Makutu Manneh

Veteran Gambian politician Halifa Sallah has urged citizens to recognize the power of their votes, describing the ballot as the most effective tool available to ordinary Gambians to influence governance and determine the country’s future.

Speaking during Team Gambia’s ongoing nationwide tour, Sallah, one of the initiative’s founding figures, said many Gambians underestimate their political influence, often dismissing themselves as ordinary citizens, farmers, or women with little say in national affairs.

He argued that such perceptions reflect a lack of civic awareness that must be addressed through sustained public education.

“We have to get rid of this lack of understanding, and this can only happen through educating the people. Some do not agree to this with the claim that campaigning should be about eating meat and rice and distributing T-shirts,” he said.

Sallah criticized a political culture that prioritizes the distribution of food and campaign merchandise over meaningful engagement with voters on issues affecting their livelihoods.

He pointed to the difficulties faced by farmers who transport their produce to the Serekunda market, only to watch it spoil, as an example of the consequences of poor governance and misplaced political priorities.

According to him, those entrusted with managing the country’s affairs should be creating conditions that improve citizens’ lives rather than leaving them to struggle with preventable hardships.

Sallah questioned why Gambians continue to elect leaders who fail to ensure that the country’s wealth benefits the wider population. He called for a system of governance that places national resources under the effective control of the people and makes public officials accountable to those they serve.

He also questioned why the country’s security institutions, including the military and police, could not be better utilized to protect citizens, safeguard national resources, and help create conditions in which Gambians can live without unnecessary hardship.

Throughout his remarks, Sallah emphasized that meaningful political change begins with an informed electorate that understands its rights and responsibilities.

His message centered on the need for Gambians to look beyond short-term campaign incentives and recognize that the ultimate authority to determine the country’s political direction rests with them through the ballot box.