By: Fatou Krubally
Brikama Area Council (BAC) Chairman, Yankuba Darboe has criticised President Adama Barrow for what he described as a missed opportunity to stand with Gambians demanding an end to corruption and misuse of public funds.
Speaking at Wednesday’s protest organised by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), Darboe told protesters that corruption has overwhelmed the country because leaders and officials are not held to account.
“If we continue this, no one will feel fit to steal our money in any office in this country, because they will fear that if they steal, our youths will come out,” Darboe said, urging citizens to see standing up to wrongdoing as a legacy worth passing to future generations.
He argued that ordinary Gambians should not sit by and watch corruption drain the country’s resources while basic services remain poor. “Corruption at the moment has overwhelmed this country, how it is stealing is too much,” Darboe said. “Even when you catch someone stealing, they say no, I have not stolen — my relatives gave me this. But those in offices are stealing.”
He said President Barrow should have joined citizens, warning that until people stand up, corrupt officials will continue unchecked. “That’s why I said President Barrow has missed a great opportunity he should have been here today,” Darboe told the crowd.
Darboe urged public workers to remember that Gambians are watching. “Anyone working at the government, those that steal… they should all know that Gambians, their children, their mothers’ friends and fathers’ friends are outside saying it should end,” he said.
He concluded that ending corruption will save lives, noting that better public services would stop people dying needlessly in hospitals or risking their lives crossing to Europe. “If it ends, our children and mothers will not die at the hospitals and our children won’t die going to Europe,” Darboe added.
The GALA protest attracted hundreds demanding urgent action on alleged looting of public resources, with speakers calling for stronger accountability at all levels.
