“We will remain focused, conscious that we have a vision to realise, a mission to fulfil, policies, programmes and projects to deliver and the will to act and stay resolute,” President Adama Barrow told Gambians.
In his 56th independence anniversary addressed on Thursday in Banjul, he emphasized that in a democracy, the government plans, reacts and acts in the interest and on behalf of the people, but not the influential few only.
“Where there is divergence, the voice of the majority should prevail, no matter how powerful the minority may appear to be.
It is now clear that my Government adheres strictly to universal democratic principles and values. This underlies the institutions we seek to strengthen, the goals we set, the programmes we implement, and the manner our governance structures are fashioned and programmed to operate,” he said.
He added: “It should be noted, however, that democratic principles should guide governments, as well as individuals, families, institutions and organisations. In the process, we must accept each citizen as an independent person entitled to free choice and voice, once they do not violate the law and the noble values we hold as a people.”
President Barrow pointed out that the 2021 Presidential Election provides an opportunity for all Gambians to display political prudence and discipline, bound by democratic values.
“Our Government has been prepared adequately by the experience gathered over the past years to meet the people’s expectations. We know where the needs of the people are greatest, how painful it is to live in an underdeveloped country, how bitter it is to be marginalised and how unjust it is to be deprived of our rights and forced to accept what is not in our best interest,” he said.