President Adama Barrow, Secretary General and leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), on Friday officially unveiled the party’s manifesto, a comprehensive nine-point plan, and innovative digital platforms at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, setting the stage for the December presidential election.
The high-profile launch, themed “Consolidating Progress, Expanding Opportunity, Securing the Future,” marks a historic milestone in Gambian politics as the first time a party has combined a detailed policy roadmap with multilingual digital tools six months before the polls. Party officials described the documents not merely as campaign instruments but as a solemn commitment to the Gambian people and the next phase of national transformation.
In his keynote address, President Barrow emphasized that the NPP has evolved into a mature, strong national party rooted in peace, stability, development, and inclusiveness. “Our goal is not only to win elections, but also to consistently continue building a stronger, more modern, and more prosperous Gambia for all citizens,” he said.
Central to the vision are Gambian youth and women. The nine-point plan places heavy emphasis on youth employment, digital innovation, technical and vocational training, sports development, and support for entrepreneurship. “Our young people deserve every opportunity one can imagine — skills, jobs, technology, and access to modern industries,” Barrow declared.
The manifesto equally prioritizes women’s empowerment, recognizing that no nation can advance while half its population is sidelined. Initiatives will expand opportunities for women in business, leadership, education, agriculture, and public service.
Food security is a national priority. With fertile land and hardworking farmers, the government pledges continued investment in irrigation, rice production, livestock, fisheries modernization, and agro-processing to reduce import dependence, lower food costs, and boost self-sufficiency.
Infrastructure development remains the backbone of the economic strategy. The plan commits to expanding roads, electricity, water systems, internet connectivity, ports, and transport networks, alongside sustained improvements in healthcare, education, and social welfare services.
The documents were crafted through extensive nationwide consultations with party members, stakeholders, and researchers. Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, a member of the drafting committee, hailed the plan as “unprecedented and truly revolutionary,” saying it captures the genuine hopes and aspirations of ordinary Gambians.
In a pioneering move in Gambian politics, the NPP also launched digital platforms that offer citizens direct access to the full manifesto, party activities, and real-time updates in all five national languages. Presidential Adviser Ousman Bah noted that the innovation aims to make politics more inclusive and participatory. President Barrow added that the platforms open “a new chapter for engagement, not just with Gambians, but with the rest of the world.”
President Barrow was joined by First Lady Fatou Bah-Barrow, Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow, senior executives, regional leaders, and representatives of allied parties. Speakers including Seedy Ceesay, Demba Sabally, and Mai Ahmad Fatty of the Gambia Moral Congress praised Barrow’s leadership and predicted a decisive victory in December.
Reflecting on nine years of transformation since 2016, President Barrow recalled the sacrifices made to build the NPP and the tangible progress achieved across all sectors of national life.
