Seedy Ceesay, the Administrative Secretary of the ruling National People’s Party, has sternly cautioned all regional bureau secretaries of the party to fulfill their duties promptly or risk being dismissed.
The party has started the process of standardizing all of its branches nationwide, which includes providing motorbikes and committing to pay monthly salaries to regional secretaries in order to enhance service efficiency. Last weekend, the party convened all of its regional executive members at its national bureau to deliberate on strategies for the party’s organizational framework.
The conference was attended by high-ranking party officials, including as Information Minister and party spokesperson Lamin Queen Jammeh, Aja Maimuna Baldeh, political adviser Saihou Mballow, Basse MP Saihou Bah, and NPP KM chairman Mustapha Touray.
Ceesay said that President Adama Barrow has committed to give the party the necessary support, but with strict conditions, such as ensuring that all regional executives of the party do their duties to the utmost of their capabilities or risk being dismissed.
According to him, the party has assigned the regional secretaries to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
The president has committed to provide funds to the party on the condition that there is tangible progress. By January 2024, it will be evident to everyone that the party has undergone a lasting transformation.
Consequently, regional secretaries designated by Congress are required to be inhabitants of the local area, and if they do not fulfill their duties, they will be terminated. “That is the reason why each one of you has been given a new motorcycle and phone,” Ceesay said. According to him, the regional secretaries had sworn to uphold the party’s principles with honor and reverence. Saikou Bah, a National Assembly Member representing Basse and serving as the deputy administrative secretary of the NPP, emphasized that the induction meeting is not intended as a lecture but rather as a forum for exchanging ideas and discussing best practices.
He emphasized to the regional secretaries that effective leadership involves creating an environment that enables individuals to thrive. “To bring about change, leadership requires the sharing of responsibilities and influence.””The president has imparted diverse leadership attributes to us, and it is now our responsibility to meet the expectations,” Bah said.
Aja Maimuna Baldeh, the party’s women national mobiliser, underscored the need of prioritizing women in the party’s decision-making process. “It is imperative that we consistently seek advice from and show deference to each other.”
In this quest, it is crucial to have patience. May this serve as a valuable lesson for each and every one of us in fulfilling our duties and obligations as leaders. “The political landscape in Gambia is clearly dominated by women, and your endorsement of President Barrow will have a significant impact if you are patient,” she said. She encouraged her female colleagues to approach their political duties and commitments with earnestness. Saihou Mballow, the presidential counselor on political matters, said that the NPP’s native principles had brought about a significant transformation in the governance of politics in The Gambia.
“President Barrow is being widely admired and imitated worldwide for his outstanding leadership and commitment to democratic governance,” said Mballow.
According to his statement, the NPP plans to go on a regional tour in order to educate the public and promote transparency. Additionally, each regional office will be equipped with an account and a copy of the party’s constitution. At the meeting, Alhagie Ounda Nyang, the outgoing KM chairman, handed over the responsibility to his successor, Mustapha Touray, who would now be in charge of leading the municipality’s operations.
Mr. Nyang said in his farewell message that he found great pleasure in serving the NPP. Mustapha Touray, in contrast, commended his predecessor for his accomplishments and assured the party that he would fulfill their expectations.
Assembly Member Aja Maimuna Ceesay said that the primary goal of the party should be to triumph over the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
“They have experienced failure and remorse over the events that have occurred, and they are constantly seeking methods to undermine us.” Therefore, as lawmakers, we must be watchful.
“The leadership of Sir Dawda Jawara, Yahya Jammeh, and President Adama Barrow all came unexpectedly, and the individual who will replace Barrow will also be a surprise,” Madam Ceesay said. Furthermore, the party distributed a total of eight motorcycles to each district.