In his Independence Day address to the nation on Friday, February 18th 2022 at the McCarthy Square, President Adama Barrow emphasized the need for national unity in the pursuit for economic independence. He noted that political independence is no longer an issue for the continent: “As we celebrate our Independence anniversary, we can also rejoice at the realization that there is no longer any African nation under colonial rule. This makes political independence no longer the issue it was decades ago, and it gives a broader significance to the country’s independence and justifies our celebration”.
He went on: “In this era, the dilemma of African countries largely remains the attainment of economic independence in an inter-dependent world”.
The President suggested that to free from economic dependence, among other strategies, The Gambia must invest more freely in the productive sectors, produce as much of what we consume as it needs, and eat more home-made products.
He said in discussing economic independence, his vision for The Gambia is a nation with top-class infrastructure, sufficient energy for national coverage and a technology-supported society that matches the digital world, all of which propel growth, economic development and social cohesion through an adequately equipped human resource base.
He noted that the next five years provide opportunities to pursue such noble goals with more passion and vigour. “We now have the chance to be proactive and be better organized to utilize our resources more efficiently and usefully. The world is moving fast, and we must keep moving equally fast,” he remarked.
The President promised that democracy will continue to be the country’s political system; a system for advancement, development, self-determination, and social cohesion.
“For me, democracy offers us a system to organize the people for peace, stability, freedom, self-reliance, and respect for rights and the rule of law”.
President Barrow affirmed that the underlying factors for economic independence, development and progress are peace, security, and stability. He however noted that the responsibility of preserving these values does not entirely rest upon the security services, in spite of the related duties and assignments they execute.
He assured that the education sector will remain his government’s priority, saying human capital development and advancement rest on an educated population.
“We must recognize that national unity is the foundation for nation building”.
To reinforce this foundation, as peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, we have to accord one another due respect, and allow every citizen space to live productively”.
The President finally parted with a caution ahead of the National Assembly Elections; urged people to be committed to the Law, and go about the electoral process in an orderly and peaceful manner.
He took the opportunity to hail the Scorpions for flying the national flag high, “by performing beyond expectations in Cameroon”.