By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow has asserted that all Gambians have access to regular meals while strongly condemning irregular migration—locally referred to as the “Backway.”
Speaking at the sixth anniversary celebration of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Mamuda village, President Barrow said there is no one in The Gambia who goes a full day without eating.
“There is nobody in The Gambia who does not eat throughout the day. In The Gambia, people eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper,” the president stated.
He further recounted a recent conversation with Seedy Ceesay, who he said told him he eats six times a day, adding humorously that this was an indication that “President Barrow’s country is really enjoying.”
President Barrow questioned claims of widespread hardship often cited by those who leave the country through irregular migration routes, noting that some individuals abandon their jobs to embark on the dangerous journey.
Reflecting on past challenges, he recalled that The Gambia previously experienced seasonal hunger, particularly in August, when some people resorted to eating wild mangoes. He said such conditions no longer exist.
However, the president acknowledged that addressing irregular migration requires more than rhetoric. He announced plans to work with both his government and opposition parties to conduct nationwide sensitization on the dangers of irregular migration.
He stressed that the issue should not be politicized, describing it as a national crisis that disproportionately affects young people, whom he described as the country’s future leaders and greatest hope.
President Barrow issued a stern warning to individuals who facilitate or encourage young people to undertake irregular migration, saying they would face life imprisonment at Mile 2 Central Prison if apprehended. He described such individuals as “killers.”
“Even relatives who empower them will not escape the law, because they are all committing serious crimes. We are warning Gambians to stop this,” he said.
The president concluded by stating that irregular migration has damaged The Gambia’s international image and hindered national progress, emphasizing that it offers no benefit to the country.
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