Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Chief of Kombo South, Falalo Touray, has praised President Adama Barrow’s government for what he described as remarkable development achievements across the district and pledged to mobilize support for the President ahead of the December 5 presidential election.
Chief Touray made the remarks on Saturday when he led a large delegation of customary, religious, and community leaders from Gunjur to State House for a courtesy call on President Barrow.
The delegation used the meeting primarily to thank the President for contributing more than D35 million towards the completion of Gunjur’s new mosque, which Barrow is expected to inaugurate on Friday, August 21.
Leaders Highlight Development
Chief Touray said the development taking place across Kombo South demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving the lives of residents.
He described the administration’s record in the district as significant and indicated that the customary and religious leaders would work to galvanize support for President Barrow ahead of the December election.
The visit brought together key community and religious figures from Gunjur, including Imam Ratib Alhagie Muhammed Lamin Touray, Head of the Council of Elders Saikouba Barrow, Alkalo Dembo Darboe, women’s representative Fatou Darboe, Chief Falalo Touray, and President of the Supreme Islamic Council Sheikh Essa Darboe.
Barrow Recalls Gunjur’s Religious Legacy
President Barrow, in response, spoke warmly about his longstanding relationship with Gunjur and the community’s prominent place in the religious history of The Gambia.
He highlighted Gunjur’s contribution to the promotion of Islam and recalled prominent religious figures associated with the community, including Sheikh Hatab Bojang and Bun Jeng.
The President also pointed to Gunjur’s distinction in producing both the current and a former president of the Supreme Islamic Council.
Beyond its religious significance, Barrow recalled his personal connections to the community, including his adopted family at Barrow Kunda.
He also mentioned his former high-school classmates Yaya Drammeh and Bai Jabang, whom he said played an important media role during his 2016 presidential campaign, as well as his long-serving former Director of Press and Public Relations, Amie Bojang-Sissoho.
Barrow said that despite his busy schedule, he made time to receive the delegation because of the longstanding relationship he has maintained with Gunjur.
Mosque Project Cast as Part of Barrow’s Legacy
The Gunjur mosque project was at the center of the delegation’s visit, with the community expressing appreciation for the President’s financial contribution towards its completion.
Barrow said he was grateful to the Gunjur leadership and other stakeholders for acknowledging the mosque project as part of his legacy.
He said he was particularly encouraged by assurances that the new mosque would serve as more than a place of worship, becoming a center for education, peaceful coexistence, and conflict prevention.
The President said his government would continue to invest in initiatives designed to promote social cohesion and participatory development.
The meeting comes as political parties and candidates intensify mobilization ahead of the December 5 presidential election, with Kombo South expected to remain an important constituency in the electoral contest.
Leave a Reply