By Buba Gagigo
Rohey Malick Lowe, the Mayor of Banjul City Council, has been honored with the prestigious Dr. Benjamin Barber Global Cities Award by the Global Parliament of Mayors.
The Benjamin Barber Award acknowledges mayors for their exceptional contributions to advancing global urban governance and inspiring city leadership.
As outlined by the Global Parliament of Mayors, the award ceremony was an integral part of the GPM Annual Summit 2023, hosted by Danela Arsovska, the Mayor of Skopje, North Macedonia.
“Mayor Lowe’s dynamic and innovative leadership as the Mayor of Banjul has not only transformed the lives of her constituents but has also served as an inspiring example to mayors and city leaders worldwide. Her dedication to urban development, social progress, and sustainable initiatives is truly commendable. Her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life in Banjul and her relentless pursuit of positive change have not gone unnoticed.
“In a world facing numerous challenges, Mayor Lowe’s leadership stands out as a beacon of hope and progress. Her commitment to addressing issues such as climate change, public health, education, and social inclusivity resonates deeply with the core values of the Global Parliament of Mayors. Her endeavors are setting a remarkable precedent for cities around the globe to follow,” the Global Parliament of Mayors wrote on their website.
Expressing her gratitude, Mayor Lowe stated, “I wish to thank our host, my sister, Mayor Danela Arsovska, her team, and the GPM secretariat for a well-organized summit. I am going to dedicate this award to the residents of Banjul who trusted my leadership in the first place, agreed to work with me, and voted me into office for a second term. I wish to thank you for watching me do my thing – day and night. I love what I do, and I will continue to do my utmost best and even do better henceforth, since I am aware now that someone is watching.”
The Global Parliament of Mayors established the award to recognize outstanding actions or research in urban governance and contributions to advancing the roles and principles outlined by the GPM. The award is named in memory of Dr. Benjamin Barber, the founder of the GPM and author of the book ‘If Mayors Ruled the World’ (2014), whose legacy continues to inspire mayors worldwide.