President
Adama Barrow applauded the establishment of new parties that are gracing the
county’s political landscape. He described this as testimony to the dividends
of democracy that came through efforts and sacrifices made in the run up to
December 2016.
“The
sacrifices and efforts we made to bring democracy to this country are today
being enjoyed by all. It is grounded on such development for everyone to enjoy
its dividends,” he told a meeting in Bondali, where an astonishing welcome with
drumming, dancing and singing accompanied him to the meeting grounds.
“Allow
him to continue the works that he started,” goes the lyrics in the song by
women. They were dressed in uniforms of white T-shirts and printed wax bearing
the president’s images with slogans pledging support to his development agenda.
The
struggle to free The Gambia from dictatorship was twenty years’ long fight, Mr.
Barrow recalled. The president was an executive member of the then opposition
UDP, and recalled so many instances where people, groups and communities
distanced themselves from them just for identifying with the UDP.
He
equally congratulated the APRC party leader, Fabakary Tombog Jatta, for coming
out to welcome him upon his arrival from the provincial tour over the weekend.
“That shows our politics is maturing… we may belong to different groups but we
should be able to conduct our politics with maturity,” he said, adding: “Whether
opposition or government, Gambia belongs to us all.”
In
Foni, Hamat N.K. Bah, Tourism and Culture minister spoke of the great qualities
of President Barrow, whom he said, respects the dignity of all irrespective of
tribe, religion or sectionalism. “He sought presidency for three months and
succeeded when I tried for two decades,” he said of President Barrow.
Hamat
Bah asked the people of Foni to rally behind the President and be a part of the
development wagon. “It will only ease your aspirations to bring development to
your communities. The president is the custodian of the national coffers.
Working with him only makes your task of development better,” he told a meeting
in Kampassa.
