Barrow frames Dec election as ‘choice between progress and retrogression’
Speaking Thursday, October 1 in Passi Chally, Upper Niumi, at the start of his 2026 Meet the People Tour, Barrow said his administration is focused on advancing development. “There is a Wollof proverb that says ‘going forward is better than going backwards.’ As for us, we are only going forward. We don’t want retardation in our developments,” he told residents, alliance partners and local leaders. Barrow said the poll offers two options. “In the 2026 December election, there are two things involved, either going forward or going backwards. If any of you wants to go forward, then vote for President Barrow. But if any of you wants to go backwards, then vote against President Barrow and vote for the Opposition,” he said. He warned voters to be careful in their decision, insisting Gambians want continuity. “So on the 5th of December, you have to make a very big decision. Is there anyone who wants to go backwards? No, everyone wants to go forward,” he said. Barrow accused some opposition politicians of not valuing rural communities. “We are here with our alliance partners, our technocrats, our strategists, and the people who believe in the Gambia. These are people who believe in the people of provinces. But there are politicians who do not value the people in provinces,” he said. He highlighted health gains, saying The Gambia had 60 ambulances when he took office in 2017, compared to 180 now, including community ambulances for hard-to-reach villages. “There were never community ambulances in the country. There are a lot of countries that do not have community ambulances,” he said. “That is why we introduced community ambulances. We have drivers and toll free numbers that you can call when you need it and the ambulance will come up to your gate.” The President said the initiative was prompted by women in labour being transported by donkey carts due to poor roads. “So this election is either going forward or going backwards,” he added. The tour runs from October 1 to 19, with project inspections and community engagements.
Black News 
Speaking Thursday, October 1 in Passi Chally, Upper Niumi, at the start of his 2026 Meet the People Tour, Barrow said his administration is focused on advancing development.
“There is a Wollof proverb that says ‘going forward is better than going backwards.’ As for us, we are only going forward. We don’t want retardation in our developments,” he told residents, alliance partners and local leaders.
Barrow said the poll offers two options.
“In the 2026 December election, there are two things involved, either going forward or going backwards. If any of you wants to go forward, then vote for President Barrow. But if any of you wants to go backwards, then vote against President Barrow and vote for the Opposition,” he said.
He warned voters to be careful in their decision, insisting Gambians want continuity.
“So on the 5th of December, you have to make a very big decision. Is there anyone who wants to go backwards? No, everyone wants to go forward,” he said.
Barrow accused some opposition politicians of not valuing rural communities.
“We are here with our alliance partners, our technocrats, our strategists, and the people who believe in the Gambia. These are people who believe in the people of provinces. But there are politicians who do not value the people in provinces,” he said.
He highlighted health gains, saying The Gambia had 60 ambulances when he took office in 2017, compared to 180 now, including community ambulances for hard-to-reach villages.
“There were never community ambulances in the country. There are a lot of countries that do not have community ambulances,” he said. “That is why we introduced community ambulances. We have drivers and toll free numbers that you can call when you need it and the ambulance will come up to your gate.”
The President said the initiative was prompted by women in labour being transported by donkey carts due to poor roads.
“So this election is either going forward or going backwards,” he added.
The tour runs from October 1 to 19, with project inspections and community engagements.
