05/06/2026
Listening to the Government Information Minister’s response to PPP flag bearer Saikou Sawo and Vice Presidential Candidate Nenneh Cheyassin Kebe on Coffee Time at West Coast Radio on Tuesday, 5th May 2026, the following must be stated clearly.
The People’s Progressive Party has always embraced debate. In my view, the right to disagree lies at the very core of the democracy we fought for and helped establish. It is in that same spirit that I address Dr. Ismaila Ceesay’s recent remarks—not as an isolated comment, but as part of a broader and troubling pattern of disregard for Gambians in the diaspora.
Characterizing Gambians who live abroad and return home as “tourists” is not only dismissive; it reflects a deeper lack of respect for a vital segment of our nation. Gambians in the diaspora are not outsiders. They are citizens—fully entitled to dignity, recognition, and participation in national life. Many have spent years building skills, gaining experience, and making sacrifices, all while maintaining strong ties to their homeland and, in many cases, preparing to return and serve.
What makes this even more concerning is that Dr. Ceesay is not speaking as a private individual, but as a government spokesperson. His words therefore carry the weight of policy direction and institutional attitude. When such remarks are made at that level, they risk reinforcing a perception that the government views diaspora Gambians as secondary stakeholders in their own country.
This perception is further strengthened by the continued denial of voting rights to Gambians in the diaspora. The right to vote is a fundamental pillar of citizenship. To exclude a large and committed segment of the population from participating in the democratic process, while simultaneously diminishing their identity and contributions, sends a clear and troubling message. It suggests that diaspora Gambians are expected to contribute economically, but not to participate politically.
Yet the reality is undeniable: Gambians in the diaspora play a critical role in sustaining the national economy. Through remittances, investments, and direct support to families and communities, they contribute significantly to livelihoods and development across the country. Their impact is not symbolic—it is measurable, consistent, and essential.
The question, therefore, is not whether diaspora Gambians matter. They do. The real issue is whether they are being treated with the respect and equality they deserve as citizens.
No Gambian, regardless of where they reside, should be made to feel like a second-class citizen. Respect for citizenship must be uniform, and rights must not be conditional on geography.
Dr. Ceesay’s remarks should be understood in this broader context. They are not merely words; they reflect an attitude that must be challenged. All Gambians—both at home and abroad—must stand against any narrative or policy that seeks to divide us or diminish the rights of any group of citizens.
Reducing serious political and developmental discussions to personal labels only weakens public discourse and distracts from the real issues affecting citizens.
Hon. Saikou Saho, the PPP Presidential Candidate, and Vice Presidential Candidate Nenneh Cheyassin Kebe have instead focused their attention on those real issues—particularly infrastructure and road construction, which has become a central government talking point. Their position is clear and grounded in development logic.
They argue that while every region and community deserves good roads, such infrastructure must go beyond simple connectivity. Roads should be designed to open up new economic opportunities, particularly through the creation of industrial zones. Building roads without linking them to productive economic activities limits their overall impact on communities, slows down economic growth, and reduces the returns on public investment used to finance these projects.
Their emphasis is on the development of structured industrial zones capable of creating thousands of sustainable jobs, rather than relying solely on small-scale roadside businesses that often emerge without long-term economic transformation. In their view, true development comes from planned economic ecosystems, not just physical infrastructure.
PPP candidates also stress the importance of modern standards in road construction. Good roads today must include proper drainage systems and durable paved surfaces from the outset. It is not acceptable to construct roads first and attempt to add drainage systems later, as this reflects poor planning and outdated practice. In the 21st century, infrastructure must be designed and executed with full engineering standards from the beginning.
Sir Dawda H.E Jarju
National Administrative Secretary
People’s Progressive Party
