Mr Essa Dampha, the political aide on media for presidential Barrow has debunked claims by critics that the president’s meet the people’s tour is a waste of state resources. Clarifying that it’s a constitutional requirement approved by the parliament.
Mr Dampha who is also a founding member of the National People Party and a former National Assembly candidate for Kombo East revealed that most of the demands of the citizens are addressed by the president as a result of the Meet the People’s tour.
“The constitution gives him the power to go and meet people in their localities so that they can face each other and hear their constraints and concerns, lay accurate information to his concerns and to access and gauge the policies and programs he has for them in the previous year. Whether it is impactful to their life livelihood or have suggestions ”
He added that the tour avails the president an opportunity to lay his future development plans for the upcoming year.
“Before people were requesting ambulances, fertilizers, road networks schools but most of these are addressed. The president brought community ambulances, gave fertilizers to farmers, and built schools and road networks in both Urban and Rural Areas. He is addressing the issues.
He however welcomes criticism as a cardinal pillar of democracy but stresses that it must be constructive and based on facts.
” In a democracy, to criticize is a cardinal principle, you have to hold officials accountable which makes democracy more solid”
Meanwhile, Mr Dampha made it clear that President Barrow’s landslide victory in the 2026 election is inevitable and the current politicians cannot match him.
President Barrow is the perfect candidate for Gambians, his eligibility for the next election is unquestionable.
