By Seedy Jobe
Chairman Yankuba Darboe of the Brikama Area Council has been named the 2025 recipient of the Best Leadership Award for Public Service by the West Africa Social Media Awards (WASMA), a regional platform that honors exceptional contributions in governance, leadership, and public service. The award will be formally presented at a ceremony scheduled for December 12, 2025.
Alhaji Issa Njai, CEO of WASMA, led a delegation to Mr. Darboe’s office to extend the official invitation and commend his “tireless efforts” in advancing development across West Africa. Njai praised the chairman’s work on strengthening regional integration and addressing youth migration—issues the awards committee described as critical to the region’s long-term stability.
“Your hard work has been felt across West Africa,” the committee noted in its selection letter. “We recommend you for the Best Leadership Award for Public Service in 2025.”
Responding to the announcement, Chairman Darboe expressed gratitude and said the recognition underscored the importance of committed public leadership. “We are not poor; we are just poorly managed,” he said, emphasizing that Africa’s progress hinges on leaders who can responsibly steward public resources and prioritize the needs of their citizens.
He praised the awards initiative for encouraging accountability and service delivery across the region. Citing a popular ethos—“Don’t steal, don’t lie, just do the job”—Darboe said the principle has guided his administration and remains central to his vision for governance.
Darboe also linked effective development to reducing the pressures that fuel irregular migration. “Once The Gambia is developed, it will create opportunities for our youths and reduce the risks associated with irregular migration,” he said.
He added that he hopes the recognition will motivate leaders across the subregion to deepen their commitment to good governance, describing it as essential to sustainable development and shared prosperity.
The West Africa Social Media Awards annually celebrate individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to public life. This year’s ceremony is expected to bring together regional leaders, policymakers, and civil society representatives to highlight achievements in governance and public service.
Chairman Darboe’s selection, organizers say, reflects not only his local impact but also his growing influence in regional development efforts.