By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow has appealed to Gambians to continue placing their trust and confidence in his leadership, assuring them that he remains committed to serving the nation with honesty and dedication.
Addressing a gathering, President Barrow described himself as a “worker, not a politician,” explaining that his focus on tangible development results often makes him less vocal in political debates.
“Politicians will say President Barrow does not speak; that he is dumb. Some even take my pictures while I’m sitting and claim I’m sleeping,” he remarked. “But tell me—can someone who is sleeping bring all these developments?”
Highlighting his government’s achievements, President Barrow pointed to the expansion of road networks across the country, particularly in rural areas. He cited the construction of roads from Basse to Koina and several other community-level projects, noting that previous administrations under former Presidents Sir Dawda Jawara and Yahya Jammeh had not extended such infrastructure into local communities.
The president emphasized his deep concern for the welfare of Gambians, saying that he often loses sleep over national issues.
“No one cares more about this country than I do,” he said. “Sometimes, when it’s storming at night, I don’t sleep. One day, my wife even told me to come and sleep.”
President Barrow also expressed optimism about The Gambia’s future, stressing that peace and unity among citizens are essential for national progress.
“If we maintain peace and stand by each other, everything this country has lacked for 52 years will be achieved under my administration,” he said.
He added that the current development efforts are only the beginning, referring to them as the “lightweight” phase of his broader agenda.
According to the president, his government is currently constructing 365 kilometers of roads, with plans underway for an additional 460 kilometers, signaling what he described as a new era of infrastructural transformation.
“In other countries, I wouldn’t even need to campaign in 2026—my ministers would do that for me,” Barrow concluded confidently.