The Mayor of Banjul Council Rohey Malick Lowe took the bull by the horn to bring about the fulfilment of the Banjul citizens' desire to live in a city that once upon a time was regarded with utter disgust because of the disgraceful scene of urban decay that became the talk of the town in every corner of Banjul city.
However, during the first time term of Mayor Lowe, with a will that knows no defeat, the city of Banjul began to gain the looks that characterize the changing view of the urban development that has become a success story through the indefatigable efforts of the Banjul City Council’s competent management team headed by Mayor Lowe.
Indeed the unparalleled remarkable records of performance that brought about the changes in the management of Banjul City Council can only be attributed to dynamic determination of Mayor Lowe, who is convinced that there is no reason why women should not seize the opportunity and that advantage that exist, while forging ahead with their political agenda without paying attention to intimidations and hate speeches. However, the notorious and counterproductive remarks from the enemies of progress will ultimately be consigned to the dustbins of history.
The evident success to overcome urban development challenges through the application management technics and skills is well reflected in the ability and courage of a woman in decision-making and political leadership positions. According to Mayor Lowe, there is a lack of political will to ensure gender equality, which is respected at all levels of governance and in all sectors in the society. The civil society organisations pay little focus to gender issues, which, to Mayor Lowe, needs a lot more attention as it is a global issue. Mayor Lowe further stated that the national gender policy, with the aim of achieving gender equity and women empowerment as an integral part of the national development process through enhancing the participation of women and men, boys and girls for sustainable and equitable development and poverty reduction, is a laudable initiative.
Although Mayor Lowe urges women to harness political opportunity, the financial resources required to participate in politics greatly hinder women from engaging in politics. However, the unprecedented role of Mayor Lowe as the first woman to occupy the respectable and honourable seat of the Banjul City Council Mayor will be remembered in the annals of The Gambia’s history as the period when the challenges of urban development were overcome through the indomitable determination and uncorrupted leadership of the first woman mayor of Banjul City Council.
Mayor Lowe during her second term in office has vowed to pursue the initiatives that will engender greater efforts to render the completion of development projects that will fulfil the Banjul citizens’ long desire to live in a city of magnificent environment providing all the necessary facilities that characterise a reputable modern city.
