Gambian rapper criticises President Adama Barrow

Barrow, who took over from his long-term predecessor Yahya Jammeh, recently donated 11million dalasi (about $230 000) to Gambian Muslim pilgrims. Since the news was announced, his decision to do so has come under fire from some of the populace. Writing in the publication Jollof News, the commentator Njundu Drammeh drew a comparison between Adama and Jammeh.

“The president must extend the same largess or ‘magnanimous gesture’ to the Christian community,” he wrote, adding: “President Barrow is eyeing the next election and is doing everything to endear himself to the electorate. What easier way than piggybacking one’s ambitions on the religion. Yaya used it and succeeded. Barrow has started using it.”

For Gee, Barrow has neglected the youth of the Gambia and the entertainment industry in most of his actions in office.

“There's so much potential out here, a country where a majority of the population are youths. Most are interested in entertainment or sports. It only takes little investment to turn this scene into a proper industry that would create 1000s of jobs both in the entertainment and sports industry put together,” he wrote on Facebook.

“After that, you can take all the time in the world to build your bridges, conference centres, luxurious hotels, etc. without any pressure from us, since that's your development plan...When you tackle a problem, you start from the root. The youths are still taking the backway [illegal migration]. People prefer a life anywhere but here if they had the option. You think having a new bridge or conference centre would change that? A lot of youths with so much potential and talent are here lurking around. With no help or anything in place for them to make use of the talent/gift that would benefit them and their families.”

In a different post, the frequently outspoken rapper continued:

“My concern now is our president's priorities, a country where more than half of the population are youths: lack of jobs: youths still taking the backway, deported ones are back; hospitals in a very terrible state. But I guess the people President Barrow consider youths are well off to the point they're sponsoring to build 10s of mosques. Everyone gave you the benefit of the doubt when you ran for presidency cuz at that point people wanted anything but Jammeh.”

Perhaps thinking he might be accused of being a member of the opposition, Gee concluded his criticism, saying: “Please, I don’t wanna be classed or put anywhere. I don’t even support a political party.”