NDP’s Conateh Touts Bojang’s Development Record, Challenges Barrow and Opposition Rivals

By Seedy Jobe

Lamin Conateh, administrative secretary of the National Democratic Party (NDP), has described his party’s leader, Kebba Madi Bojang, as the country’s most marketable presidential candidate, arguing that his record of community development distinguishes him from President Adama Barrow and other opposition figures.

Speaking during an interview with Kerr Fatou on Thursday, Mr. Conateh said the NDP had demonstrated its commitment to improving livelihoods through practical interventions, contrasting what he described as his party’s tangible achievements with unfulfilled government promises.

He singled out President Barrow’s recent pledge of an additional D50 million to support farmers, announced during the Meet-the-People Tour, questioning whether such commitments would translate into meaningful assistance for beneficiaries.

Mr. Conateh claimed that an earlier D50 million government initiative intended to support farmers had instead become a source of frustration for beneficiaries. He did not provide specific details of the alleged difficulties.

By contrast, he said, the NDP had been providing direct agricultural assistance, including the free distribution of fertilizer under the leadership of Mr. Bojang.

According to him, these initiatives demonstrate the party’s commitment to addressing the immediate needs of rural communities rather than relying on campaign promises.

Mr. Conateh maintained that Mr. Bojang’s development record sets him apart from other presidential contenders, including the incumbent.

He challenged President Barrow to account for his contributions to community development before assuming office, questioning whether he had personally financed projects such as boreholes to improve access to clean drinking water.

He extended the same challenge to other opposition leaders, arguing that political parties seeking national leadership should be able to demonstrate a history of delivering tangible benefits to communities.

Asked about the record of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) leader Mama Kandeh, who has been credited with supporting borehole projects in several communities, Mr. Conateh pointed to what he described as an acknowledgment by Mr. Kandeh of the development activities associated with Ginkon, a company linked to Mr. Bojang.

Mr. Conateh claimed that Mr. Kandeh had once referred to Ginkon as a political party because its development activities were so extensive.

According to the NDP official, Mr. Kandeh made the remark because Mr. Bojang’s team had undertaken projects in communities where the GDC leader had previously made development promises.

Mr. Conateh presented those activities as evidence of Mr. Bojang’s commitment to community development and a central reason for his confidence in the NDP leader’s presidential candidacy.

His remarks reflect the NDP’s effort to position Mr. Bojang’s development initiatives as a defining feature of his political appeal ahead of the December 5 presidential election.