By Kemo Kanyi
Foreign policy specialist Zindi Anthony Levi has called for stronger and more effective national institutions, saying they are essential for The Gambia to achieve its development objectives and build public confidence.
Speaking to The Voice, Levi, a United Kingdom-based international relations expert who works on development policy issues in Africa, said the growing number of young Gambians attempting irregular migration should be viewed as more than a migration issue.
He said it also reflected concerns among some young people about their economic prospects and confidence in the country’s ability to provide opportunities for hard work and talent.
Levi said young Gambians who undertake irregular migration may feel that hard work would not necessarily create opportunities, talent would not always be rewarded fairly and their future prospects at home remained uncertain.
He said these concerns should be taken seriously by all political parties seeking to govern the country.
According to Levi, public opinion findings indicate growing dissatisfaction among some Gambians with the performance of public institutions and concerns over corruption.
He described public trust as an important national resource, saying declining confidence in institutions should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers.
Levi also argued that sustainable national development could not depend solely on the election of individual leaders.
“Countries become prosperous because they build extraordinary institutions. Leaders matter. Institutions determine whether good leadership produces lasting results,” he said.
The foreign policy specialist said The Gambia’s challenge was fundamentally linked to public trust in institutions, governance and the capacity of the state to create conditions in which citizens could pursue their aspirations.
He said recent public opinion surveys therefore deserved careful consideration by policymakers and political actors.
Levi’s comments come as political parties and aspirants prepare for the December 2026 presidential election, with public debate increasingly focused on governance, economic opportunities and the country’s development priorities.
He cautioned against placing excessive expectations on individual political leaders, saying Gambians should instead focus on building institutions capable of delivering sustainable development beyond individual administrations.