I hear many people talking on TV, radio, and Facebook about Gambian politics. Most just attack others without saying how they would fix problems. They call names, spread dirt, and throw insults instead of sharing better plans. This behavior hurts our democracy and wastes chances for peace and fair talk. Our country faces many big challenges that need help from everyone.
Some people only say, "Vote Barrow out," without any reason. Others wrongly compare us to Senegal, where PASTEF won recent elections. A few even want street protests to "free" the country. But free from what, exactly? Most Gambians know we have a peaceful president who deeply believes in democracy, not some hated tyrant who must go at any cost.
Anyone thinking we can copy Senegal should think again for three main reasons. First, Senegal's laws clearly limit presidents to two terms, but our 1997 rules don't. Second, former President Macky Sall tried blocking PASTEF from elections, but President Barrow isn't stopping any groups from joining the 2026 vote. Third, PASTEF showed Senegalese people clear plans that matched what they wanted, especially young people.
Gambian opposition groups mostly criticize without offering better ideas. Those asking people to rise against Barrow should realize we need smart planners, not heroes. What would they do about our school system that doesn't teach skills for becoming less dependent on loans? How would they help change the leftover colonial systems that keep us poor?
These old systems show up as debt problems. It might look like we created this mess by borrowing money or through corrupt leaders wasting resources. Some of that might be true, but deeper down, the colonial structures force us into debt traps. When a country has debt, it relies on outside lenders who make rules that create more debt.
What plans do Barrow's opponents have for youth unemployment? This affects every country, even China, America, Britain, and Germany. Many young Gambians have died crossing the Atlantic looking for better lives. President Barrow tries to create jobs for young people. Anyone wanting his job should tell us their better ideas.
What farming plans would they create to help us grow our food instead of buying it from others? People should know the difference between food safety and food freedom. Food freedom means growing what we eat ourselves. Food safety just means having enough calories, whether we grow it, buy it, borrow money to import it, or accept aid from other countries.
Remember when Russia fought Ukraine? Half of the African leaders rushed to Russia to make sure wheat could still reach Africa. These big issues deserve our attention, not small fights that show we lack political maturity. Many critics claim government officials steal money but rarely show proof. Even if true, what better anti-corruption plans do they suggest?
Since 2021, some people have tried pushing President Barrow, hoping he reacts badly. They want to prove he acts like a dictator. But Gambians know better. If Barrow truly ruled like former president Yahya Jammeh, these loud critics would either live overseas or hide at home, pretending not to care about politics, just like during Jammeh's time.
President Barrow has flaws like everyone else. But he believes we can discuss politics with patience, tolerance, and sometimes humor for our country's benefit. Our democracy gives us a chance to be more polite in politics. We can talk positively with each other to improve our country.
Some people only say, "Vote Barrow out," without any reason. Others wrongly compare us to Senegal, where PASTEF won recent elections. A few even want street protests to "free" the country. But free from what, exactly? Most Gambians know we have a peaceful president who deeply believes in democracy, not some hated tyrant who must go at any cost.
Anyone thinking we can copy Senegal should think again for three main reasons. First, Senegal's laws clearly limit presidents to two terms, but our 1997 rules don't. Second, former President Macky Sall tried blocking PASTEF from elections, but President Barrow isn't stopping any groups from joining the 2026 vote. Third, PASTEF showed Senegalese people clear plans that matched what they wanted, especially young people.
Gambian opposition groups mostly criticize without offering better ideas. Those asking people to rise against Barrow should realize we need smart planners, not heroes. What would they do about our school system that doesn't teach skills for becoming less dependent on loans? How would they help change the leftover colonial systems that keep us poor?
These old systems show up as debt problems. It might look like we created this mess by borrowing money or through corrupt leaders wasting resources. Some of that might be true, but deeper down, the colonial structures force us into debt traps. When a country has debt, it relies on outside lenders who make rules that create more debt.
What plans do Barrow's opponents have for youth unemployment? This affects every country, even China, America, Britain, and Germany. Many young Gambians have died crossing the Atlantic looking for better lives. President Barrow tries to create jobs for young people. Anyone wanting his job should tell us their better ideas.
What farming plans would they create to help us grow our food instead of buying it from others? People should know the difference between food safety and food freedom. Food freedom means growing what we eat ourselves. Food safety just means having enough calories, whether we grow it, buy it, borrow money to import it, or accept aid from other countries.
Remember when Russia fought Ukraine? Half of the African leaders rushed to Russia to make sure wheat could still reach Africa. These big issues deserve our attention, not small fights that show we lack political maturity. Many critics claim government officials steal money but rarely show proof. Even if true, what better anti-corruption plans do they suggest?
Since 2021, some people have tried pushing President Barrow, hoping he reacts badly. They want to prove he acts like a dictator. But Gambians know better. If Barrow truly ruled like former president Yahya Jammeh, these loud critics would either live overseas or hide at home, pretending not to care about politics, just like during Jammeh's time.
President Barrow has flaws like everyone else. But he believes we can discuss politics with patience, tolerance, and sometimes humor for our country's benefit. Our democracy gives us a chance to be more polite in politics. We can talk positively with each other to improve our country.
