By Fatou Dahaba
In a stirring State of the Nation Address, President Adama Barrow called on National Assembly Members (NAMs) to transcend party politics and prioritize The Gambia’s interests, emphasizing their accountability to the citizens who entrusted them with the nation’s affairs.
“The institutions through which we serve them define our various mandates,” Barrow declared, urging lawmakers to safeguard democracy, uphold national values, and protect the dignity of all Gambians.
Delivering his address to a packed assembly, Barrow outlined his administration’s achievements and acknowledged its shortcomings, setting a tone of transparency and resolve. He stressed that national development requires collective effort, stating, “In unity lies our strength and success. Conversely, disunity exposes us to obstacles and troubles.” Reflecting on The Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, he reiterated his government’s call for solidarity, noting that the nation’s defense, survival, and progress hinge on it.
The president laid out his government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the coming year, addressing challenges and detailing interventions that his administration continues to prioritize. He called on Gambians to remain steadfast in their collective mission to build a better nation, urging them to work across social and political divides to foster success, inclusivity, and youth empowerment. “We cannot change our land area, but we can harness and transform social, economic, and environmental factors for us to evolve out of poverty and underdevelopment,” Barrow said. He emphasized that success depends on close collaboration, productivity, and a determined effort to translate vision into tangible results.
Barrow underscored the need for bold ambition, encouraging Gambians to look beyond the present and focus on scaling up industrial production, attracting significant investments, and embracing innovation to propel the nation forward. “To succeed, we must aim much higher, act much faster, and act together,” he asserted, framing unity as the cornerstone of progress.
Highlighting The Gambia’s democratic resilience, Barrow noted the country’s ability to engage in peaceful politics despite divergent views. “When the interest of the country is at stake, we must always stand together,” he said, positioning The Gambia as a beacon of optimism, resilience, and opportunity. He outlined his administration’s commitment to policies and programs aimed at achieving economic self-sufficiency and rapid development, pointing to the nation’s improving infrastructure as a foundation for sustained growth.
The president’s address also emphasized tolerance, social inclusion, and sustainable development as critical pillars for building a prosperous Gambia. “With fortitude, we will surely succeed in building a prosperous Gambia for all,” he declared, rallying citizens to embrace a shared vision for the future.
Barrow’s call for unity comes at a pivotal moment as The Gambia navigates economic challenges and seeks to strengthen its democratic institutions. His emphasis on collective action and inclusivity resonated with lawmakers, though some opposition members expressed skepticism about the government’s ability to deliver on its ambitious goals.
The address also highlighted the government’s focus on youth empowerment and economic transformation, with Barrow underscoring the need to nurture the next generation and create growth opportunities. He called for innovative approaches to development, urging Gambians to “step out of the usual” and take bold steps toward industrialization and investment.
As The Gambia marks its 60th year of independence, Barrow’s speech served as both a reflection on past achievements and a roadmap for the future. His administration faces the challenge of balancing economic aspirations with social cohesion, but the president’s message was unequivocal: unity and collective determination are non-negotiable for progress.
Lawmakers and citizens alike now look to the government to deliver on its promises, with Barrow’s words setting the tone for a year of action. “Our degree of success depends on how closely and productively we work,” he concluded, leaving no doubt that the path to a prosperous Gambia lies in the hands of its people, united.
