Gambian President Adama Barrow Faces Opposition Calls While Promising Education Funding

United Democratic Party public‑relations officer Sulayman Dampha urged Gambian voters to reject President Adama Barrow’s anticipated bid for a third term in the December 5, 2026 election. Dampha accused Barrow of failing to deliver on major promises, including security‑sector reform, job creation, electrification, and infrastructure projects such as the Banjul‑Barra bridge, and warned that the administration’s advisers were focused on personal gain rather than national service.

In a separate town‑hall event with the National People’s Party (NPP) Students’ Wing, President Barrow pledged decisive investment in education and youth‑empowerment measures. He announced increased budgeting for school infrastructure, expanded scholarships, accelerated recruitment of qualified teachers, and upgrades to technical and vocational institutions. Barrow also outlined expanded skills‑training programmes, apprenticeship schemes, incentives for SMEs hiring graduates, and targeted support for youth‑led agribusiness and digital entrepreneurship.