H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Gambia
By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow on Tuesday delivered a pointed message to elected officials of the ruling National People’s Party, urging them to take greater personal initiative and stop relying on the party — or the presidency — for direction and financial support.
Speaking at the State House in Banjul while receiving two newly elected NPP councillors, Omar Touray of Kiang Kaiaf Ward and Abdoulie Badjie of Foni Bantanjang Ward, Mr. Barrow said a culture of dependency among some party officials was undermining the party’s effectiveness and public credibility.
“When you are voted into office, you should know your rights and what you are supposed to do,” the president said. “You should not be dependent on people.”
Mr. Barrow expressed frustration that some elected representatives continue to look to the party or the presidency for funding and guidance instead of initiating projects on their own or fulfilling the responsibilities of the offices they were elected to hold.
“One thing that disturbs us a lot in the NPP is that when people are selected, they still depend on the party and do not pursue their own projects,” he said. “If anything happens, they say, ‘Let’s wait for President Barrow to send us money.’ That is affecting our party.”
The president stressed that elected officials are accountable first to their constituents, not party leadership, and warned that inaction after an election amounts to a failure of public trust.
“If you are selected and people voted for you, and you just wait for the party and do nothing, that disturbs me a lot in my work,” he said.
Echoing a familiar refrain often attributed to civic responsibility, Mr. Barrow added: “If they vote for you, don’t say, ‘What will my party do for me?’ Say, ‘What can I do for my party?’”
Looking ahead to the next electoral cycle, the president acknowledged that criticism — particularly from opposition parties — is unavoidable, but urged party members to remain focused and proactive.
“We are approaching elections,” he said. “Let us all start the campaign today.”
The remarks appeared aimed at reinforcing discipline within the ruling party while signaling a push for greater autonomy and performance from its elected officials as political competition intensifies.
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