Critics: Gambian leader sends son to US, encourages youth to stay home

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By AMADOU MANJANG

The recent twitter statement by President Adama Barrow that Gambian youth need to stay at home and work has provoked wide criticism that he should not have flown his own son, Mahmoud Barrow to the US for studies when he can be educated at the University of The Gambia (UTG) to lead by example instead of lip service.

“We need our youths to stay and work at home. It is very possible to make it at home, I encourage them all to exploit the opportunities at home,” Adama Barrow tweeted last Sunday.

This tweet followed Barrow’s efforts to make a case in strengthening mechanism to combat irregular migration at the 56^th session of ECOWAS head of states and government summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

Decriers believed that Barrow has after his lost faith in the University of The Gambia’s capacity to provide standard higher education for his son, sent him to America for studies.

The enrollment of President Adama Barrow’s son to a US university found its way on What’s on Gambia facebook page on March 7, 2018 and generated expression of public disappointment.

Critics, however, believe that to convince the youth that there are opportunities for them here, the president need to convince himself first to leading by example.

Migration, be it regular or irregular is a common phenomenon in the Gambia, where many people depend on their relatives or families in Europe and America for the substance of their families back home.

In recently years, irregular migration has been at the centre of heated debate whether youth can make it at home or not.

Analysts blamed the situation on the lack exploitation of available opportunities in the country through motivation and meaningful use of resources which should be frowned against.

Irregular migration has effects of traumas, where human trafficking, slavery and even many deaths are recorded, whilst regular migration has also given rise to brain drain.

Shocking migration story
Some Gambians youth who departed aboard a fishing boat from Barra, in the North Bank Region of the country were crossing the Atlantic Ocean to reach Spain had their boat capsized near the coast of Mauritania, resulting in the death of at least 62 including women, and 189 people intercepted.

The tragic event which took place earlier this month was a national disaster for the country for which many on social media called for a “national day of mourning.”

Barrow addressed the nation on the tragic boast accident during his ‘Meet the People’s Tour’ which further provoked criticism with suggestion that he should have postponed meetings.

“This national tragedy… is a matter of great concern to my government,” said the Gambian head of state.

Bakary Ceesay, an editor at The Voice newspaper critiqued: “There is no vision for the youth but only lip service, promises with fake institutions pretending to be serving the interest of the youth.”