By Landing Ceesay
The President of the Republic of the Gambia and Leader of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Adama Barrow, said Gambians nowadays express themselves freely without fear.
“Today, from Kartong to Koina, Tujereng to Tambasangsang, Banjul to Basse, and across the Diaspora, Gambians express themselves freely, without fear. This is evidenced by the various thriving social media platforms, newspaper editorials, radio, and TV shows, and commentaries,” President Barrow said.
The Gambian Leader said after decades of struggles for freedom, Gambia now has a new democracy with a wide latitude of freedom.
Barrow said Gambia’s “maturing” democracy has already earned global recognition and commendation.
President Barrow said In the past, making such bold statements were unthinkable, but this is the reality of the day.
He said it is a remarkable achievement for the entire Gambian nation.
“We must appreciate that it takes a united people to move a nation; that is, a nation bound together, without any barriers of ethnicity, religion, or social status. Thus, one Gambia, one nation, and one people should be our mantra. Upon assuming office in 2017, the first concern for me and my government was to act quickly to accomplish this mission,” he said.
President Barrow said the Gambia has now successfully transitioned from an isolated nation to a respected partner on the global stage.
President Barrow said the Gambia has returned to the Commonwealth of Nations with all its associated benefits and has cemented strong diplomatic ties with friends around the world.
“As a nation and government, we must not be content with these achievements. The task before us grows greater by the day, so all Gambians must realize that it takes the people of a country to build a nation, and not just their President,” he said.
The Gambian President made these remarks at his ruling National People’s Party (NPP) maiden National Congress taking place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center.