By: Kemo Kanyi
President Adama Barrow, in his end of Ramadan address, called for greater patriotism among Gambians and urged the media and religious leaders to refrain from negative reporting and preaching.
Addressing Imams and Muslim elders from Banjul, who visited him at State House on Koriteh Day, the President stressed the importance of national unity and peace as essential pillars for The Gambia’s continued development.
President Barrow emphasized that the Islamic religious values align perfectly with the social values shared by its people, as well as the democratic principles laid out in the nation’s Constitution. These values, he added, are at the core of the plans and programs his government is implementing to ensure the continued progress of the country.
“As it is mandatory for believers to live by their religious principles and values, it is equally obligatory for all of us to work together in the service of the nation and for the progress of every Gambian. The end of Ramadan should not stop us from continuing our good deeds,” President Barrow stated, urging citizens to stay committed to the nation’s development.
He acknowledged that while The Gambia is not immune to the global challenges facing many nations, his government is focused on devising effective strategies to navigate these difficult times. “We live in circumstances influenced by global trends beyond our control. While we are not fully protected from economic crises and global unrest, we can always devise measures to overcome them and emerge stronger,” he said in his end-of-Ramadan address to the nation.
The President also highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between the government and the people. He reassured Gambians that the government’s development plans are progressing well, but stressed that with the full support of all citizens, the country could achieve even greater success.
He encouraged religious leaders from all faith-based communities to unite their congregations and emphasize national values in order to address the country’s developmental challenges. “We must put our differences aside and focus on what unites us to build a better Gambia,” he said.
President Barrow also called on business operators to help make basic commodities more accessible and affordable, particularly for the most vulnerable. He assured them that the government would continue to support business enterprises and foster a favorable environment for trade.
Furthermore, the President encouraged all Gambians to engage in farming, whether for subsistence, business, or recreation, as a means to reduce the country’s reliance on imported goods. “The rainy season is still months away, and now being the time to prepare our farms. Only through production can we reduce our dependence on foreign goods, which leave us vulnerable to external market fluctuations,” he noted.
Highlighting the importance of self-reliance, the President called for the transformation of The Gambia into a productive nation capable of processing its own produce. “We must work toward becoming a more industrialized nation, and my government will support anyone willing to contribute to boosting local production,” he said.
In his address, the President assured all citizens and residents—both Gambians and non-Gambians—of a safe and supportive environment in The Gambia. “My government is committed to the welfare of everyone in the country,” he assured.
Media and Bias Reporting
The President also addressed concerns about biased media reporting, accusing some media outlets in The Gambia of focusing too heavily on negative narratives. He criticized journalists who, according to him, often prioritize negative stories over positive ones, contradicting the belief that “good news is no news.”
“We have some journalists who only focus on negative issues in the country. They won’t write about anything positive. They say, ‘Good news is no news,’ but I disagree with that. ‘Good news’ is news,” President Barrow argued.
He also pointed out that some media outlets—both within and outside The Gambia—appear to have an agenda to destabilize the country by promoting chaos and conflict. “Some media houses, both here and abroad, seem to want to see the country set on fire. They focus on anything that will cause division, but ignore the positive stories,” he said.
President Barrow urged Gambians to reject such negative narratives and focus on maintaining national security and stability. “We must work together to safeguard the peace and unity of our nation,” he concluded.
