President Barrow was awarded for his efforts in the promotion of peace and unity across the African continent.
In his acceptance speech, President Barrow said he accepted the 2024 African Prize For Peace with humility and a deep sense of gratitude.
He stated that the award may be in recognition of his humble efforts but, certainly, it also signifies the resilience and commitment of Gambians and Africans to peace promotion, stability, and human dignity.
Regardless of the conflicts and suffering across the globe, he explained that Africa continues to rise and develop while reiterating that this resilience demonstrates an unyielding resolve to pursue a durable path to harmony and mutual understanding.
“Although our history is loaded with challenges, the natural African spirit in us, driven by the ideals of unity and cooperation, remains our guiding light. Consequently, this prestigious peace award is not a mere recognition of efforts but a reminder that the quest for peace is a never-ending venture. It is a journey begun with the sacrifices of our ancestors and sustained by us to ensure a prosperous future for all generations,” he said.
For our survival and progress, President Barrow highlighted that cultivating a culture of peace is essentially accorded special prominence on the global agenda. He continued that peace in this context goes beyond the absence of conflict; noting it also embodies the process of fostering understanding, mutual respect, and collaboration among communities and nations.
He noted that his leadership experience has revealed to him the profound impact of sustained peace on a nation. Peace, he said, stands out clearly as the bedrock upon which society can heal, economies can thrive, and individuals can access opportunities and enjoy their rights to live happily.
He further stated that peace is the cornerstone for a world that upholds human dignity, celebrates diversity, and empowers people to realise their full potential.
“The pursuit of a culture of peace is both a collective and an individual endeavour. It requires policies that directly tackle the root causes of conflict, and these include poverty, inequality, and injustice. This realisation makes it necessary to free all those whose voices are suppressed, especially the advocates of human rights and human dignity.”
President Barrow told the gathering that in pursuing his government’s transformation and development agenda in The Gambia, a major focus of the 2018-2021 National Development Plan was to restore and sustain peace and stability through suitable institutional building and people-centred development approaches.
