By Fatou Sillah
President Adama Barrow has described his decision to contest against former president Yahya Jammeh as the greatest risk he has ever taken, emphasizing that he did so to “rescue The Gambia.”
Speaking to Muslim elders at the State House on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, President Barrow reiterated his unwavering commitment to the country.
“I can do anything for this country. I used to tell people that the biggest risk I took in my life was contesting against Yahya Jammeh. If there was ever a time to be afraid, it was then. Now, fear is no longer a factor,” he stated.
The president lamented that many people have forgotten the sacrifices he made, pointing out that some government employees do not recognize their duty to the nation.
“But people forget easily. Today, they have forgotten. You hear government employees saying, ‘I will not work for President Barrow,’ but they are not working for me—they are working for their country,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of dedication and hard work, stating that wisdom alone is not enough for success.
“God does not reward wisdom alone; He rewards hard work. No matter how wise you are, if you do not serve your country diligently, the consequences will eventually catch up with you,” he warned.
President Barrow also highlighted challenges within the public sector, noting that some officials prioritize personal interests over national service. He observed that many high-ranking officials face difficulties after leaving office because they fail to work in the country’s interest.
“You see people who once held big positions struggling after leaving office because they were not truly serving the nation, but rather their personal interests. If a document that should be processed in two or three days takes months instead, it frustrates citizens and creates resentment toward the government,” he said.
He also accused some civil servants of undermining his administration, stating that inefficiencies within public institutions ultimately reflect poorly on his leadership.
“If you go to the police for assistance and they fail to help you, you become frustrated—not with them, but with President Barrow. That is the type of battle some technicians are waging against us,” he said, adding a proverb: “If you throw away the fish you have in hopes of catching another, you may end up going home empty-handed.”