Essa Faal Hails Economic Gains Under Barrow, Optimistic About NPP Victory

By Makutu Manneh

Essa Mbye Faal, leader of APP-Sobeyaa, has praised what he described as significant economic progress under President Adama Barrow, expressing cautious optimism that the National People’s Party (NPP) alliance will win the December presidential election.

Speaking to “Barrow 2026” during President Barrow’s ongoing Meet the People Tour, Faal said the administration had overseen important improvements, particularly in economic growth, while acknowledging that more needed to be done.

Faal, who recently aligned his party with President Barrow’s governing coalition, described the administration’s record as one of progress that should be sustained and strengthened.

He said a review of The Gambia’s economic performance since independence showed that the country recorded annual growth rates exceeding 6 percent during much of the period leading up to 1978, before slowing considerably in subsequent decades.

According to Faal, economic growth averaged around 3 percent from the 1980s through 2014 to 2016, compared with approximately 5.5 to 5.7 percent under the Barrow administration.

He described the latter figures as a “very good record,” although he acknowledged that the country had the potential to achieve stronger economic performance.

“Can we do better? Yes. Do we want to do better? Or should we want to do better? Yes,” Faal said.

He called for greater national cooperation to accelerate development and improve living standards.

“I am one of those who will propagate that we come together as a nation and people and work hard to uplift our people and take our country forward,” he said.

Turning to the December presidential election, Faal expressed cautious confidence that the NPP-led alliance would secure victory.

He said he hoped an electoral win would be followed by a broader national unity arrangement bringing together Gambians across political affiliations to advance the country’s development.

Faal’s remarks reflect his growing support for the Barrow administration following his decision to join forces with the president ahead of the election, marking a significant political shift for a figure who had previously been a vocal critic of the government.