By Landing Ceesay
The President of the Republic of the Gambia and the Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) said his party is determined to preserve, promote, and strengthen good democratic governance.
“As a young party, the NPP holds strongly onto promoting and consolidating the values of democracy, respect for human and peoples rights, and the rule of law, nationally and globally. As we forge ahead, therefore, we are determined to preserve, promote, and strengthen good democratic governance. These universal core values constitute some of the cardinal principles of our Party manifesto and philosophy, hence we will never abandon them,” Barrow said while addressing NPP delegates.
President Barrow further stated that the NPP began with the ‘Barrow Youth for National Development,’ followed by the ‘Barrow Fans Club,’ which he said developed into a Political Council and resulted in the birth and launching of The National Peoples Party on Saturday, 30th January 2021 at the Independence Stadium.
The NPP Leader said the pioneers and standard-bearers will go down in history for laying the foundation that led to the growth of the NPP.
“Working together, these great sons and daughters of The Gambia mobilized communities across the country and energized them sufficiently. They have since remained united and determined to consolidate the gains registered under my leadership. Alongside the party militants are other patriotic Gambians who continue to show great political maturity and foresight,” Barrow said.
President Barrow said they are genuinely convinced that, together, they can achieve a lot, no matter what challenges lie ahead, or how difficult the tasks at hand may be.
Barrow said the pioneers of NPP have stayed the course with them to guide their beloved nation to a safer destination.
“I seize this opportunity to thank them sincerely for remaining steadfast and sacrificing for a better, more developed, more transparent, and genuinely democratic Gambia. In doing so, I equally recognize and honour the supporters of their political parties,” he said.
The NPP Leader also thank Honourable Hamat N.K. Bah and the NRP; Honourable Omar Amadou Jallow, Mr. Kebba Ebrima Jallow and the PPP; Honourable Henry Gomez and the GPDP; Honourable Lamin Dibba, Honourable Majanko Samusa and the NCP, and the Former Vice President, Her Excellency, Dr. Isatou Touray and her political movement, Team Isatou Touray for supporting his Party to win the 2021 Presidential Election.
President Barrow said together with his Political Partners they have built bridges, constructed a massive rural road network, improved access to electricity and water supply, and built schools within the short five-year span of their transition.
“Our alliance with the APRC and the new parties in 2021 was mutually strategic and laudably contributed to our overwhelming election victory in December. The NPP Government remains determined to work with all committed Gambians to transform our loved nation into a haven of democracy, with a longer-term and more robust development program,” Barrow said.
The Gambian President made these remarks at his ruling National Peoples Party (NPP)’s maiden National Congress since its inception in January 2019.