By Ramatoulie Jawo
The National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Hagi Suwaneh, has strongly criticized the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Demba Sabally, accusing him of prioritizing partisan political theatrics over substantive governance.
In a statement shared with this medium, Suwaneh condemned what he described as “juvenile political gimmicks” by Minister Sabally, particularly attacks aimed at UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and UDP-led local councils. He argued that such tactics do little to address the pressing needs of the Gambian people.
“Engaging in these juvenile political gimmicks of castigating Ousainou Darboe and downgrading the transformative works registered by UDP-led councils have no positive impact on changing the lives and livelihoods of Gambians especially when the truth is evident for all to see and judge,” he said.
He added that the government’s focus should be on performance and delivery rather than discrediting opposition figures. “They cannot question Darboe’s knowledge, competence, or integrity, so they resort to false comparisons between their underperforming central government and successful UDP-led councils,” he said.
Suwaneh criticized Minister Sabally’s performance in the agriculture sector, arguing that his ministry remains one of the least productive, despite being critical to the livelihoods of many Gambians.
“Isn’t this an illogical attempt to compare apples to bananas? What is as clear as noon light is that, people of good conscience and sound judgment can never fall for the NPP clickbait. The reason why the NPP Despondents are not comparing UDP-led councils against their failed NPP-led local governments is that there is nothing they can show as an achievement by any of their chairmen. However, what is both disgusting and laughable is for a state Minister, Demba Sabally, responsible for agriculture to attack an area council chairman or municipal mayor when his sector, which is supposed to house the food baskets of poor Gambians, remains the most retrogressive of all,” he emphasized.
He stated that Gambian farmers deserve clear communication from the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the plans and support available to them ahead of this year’s rainy season, especially to ensure a successful harvest—something that has yet to be achieved under Minister Sabally’s leadership. He emphasized that such efforts are far more important than spending public funds on partisan political events, which fall outside the responsibilities of a state minister.
He further argued that in any serious nation with visionary leadership, individuals like Demba Sabally—whom he described as ineffective—would not be allowed to hold such a critical position for so long, particularly given the lack of tangible progress during his tenure.
Suwaneh also criticized the recent political event attended by Minister Sabally, calling it a staged cross-carpeting spectacle. He claimed that those in attendance would not have been present had the Minister not been misled into believing there were UDP defectors joining the ruling NPP.
He concluded by urging Minister Sabally to redeem himself while he still has the opportunity—before a UDP government comes to power.
“I will once again emphasize, with all the emphasis at my disposal, that a UDP government will have zero tolerance for individuals found guilty of malfeasance. Therefore, those of you personalizing public funds and embezzling them left, right, and center must know that the wind of change is already blowing. The Gambia is in dire need of a serious government that prioritizes the well-being of all and invests heavily in agriculture to promote food security and food self-sufficiency. This is what the UDP is prepared for by committing to implement the 2002 Maputo Agreement to allocate 10% of the country’s annual budget to agricultural developments,” he emphasized.
He outlined the UDP’s commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural productivity through the implementation of progressive strategies and frameworks. This includes investing in research and development institutions to enhance agricultural knowledge and innovation systems, as well as providing incentives for producers to adopt modern and efficient farming methods, as detailed in the party’s Five-Point Agenda.
He emphasized that The Gambia has the potential to transform its economy through agriculture—earning regional and international admiration—by eliminating wasteful spending and embracing a firm, uncompromising stance against corruption.
He asserted that The Gambia can serve as a model nation, not just within the sub-region but on the global stage, a belief deeply held by the UDP leadership and shared by progressive minds across the country.
He concluded by stressing that a serious government would prioritize the development of impactful strategies and actionable policies aimed at creating meaningful opportunities for its citizens—rather than engaging in hollow political theatrics.
“Gambians are politically enlightened to be fooled by cheap political gimmicks and I think it is important for you to redirect your energies into something meaningful. That is the reason you are paid and not to venture into unproductive political hullabaloo that can only make people despise you further,” he said.
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