Renowned Gambian philanthropist Momodou Turo Darboe has explained that his decision to foray into active partisan politics is informed by his burning desire to salvage Gambians from the grip of poverty and underdevelopment, asserting that citizens deserve better services and judicious management of public resources.
The award-winning philanthropist has been struggling to understand why Gambians continue to be under-served by their governments and wallow in poverty when the size and population of the country should make it quite easy for everyone to enjoy prosperity and live a dignified life.
To Mr Darboe, the Gambia’s relatively small land mass and population situate it favourably well for it to be transformed into a land of prosperity within a relatively short space of time.
“But those you voted into office are only interested in their own welfare and that of their families while your children suffer from want and lack. Those who were in the opposition are now building mansions and driving past you in tinted vehicles and they took their kids to Europe.
“We cannot continue to vote self-centred people into our political offices. You help people to realize their political aspirations but once they are in office, they care less about your welfare and that of your family. That’s unacceptable,” Darboe said as he welcomed women’s groups at the Vision Development Foundation (VDF) HQ in Banjul on Tuesday.
Darboe, who has been actively involved in philanthropic work for 28 years now, reiterated that his decision to assume a central role in Gambia’s politics is well-intentioned.
“Some are saying he is joining politics because he wants to lead[the country]. It’s important to re-emphasize here that my motivation for entering partisan politics has nothing to do with either a desire to make a name or money. Our father has instilled in us that sense of responsibility for the improvement of people’s welfare,” Darboe explained.
He suggested that this sense of public-spiritedness serves as a tower of strength and courage for his philanthropic work throughout Jammeh’s 22-year rule in The Gambia.
“I stayed behind and was actively involved in philanthropy when many well-to-do individuals felt it unthinkable to do just that at the time. But that’s [kindness to the people] what our father taught us,” he explained.
Darboe explained that he is not eyeing the top job but rather, he desires to throw his weight behind any politician with whom he can work to deliver social services, amenities and opportunities that will be positively impactful on the quality of life of the population.
Tribalism
Mr. Darboe described tribalism as a huge impediment to collective growth and development, highlighting the urgency for the excision of tribal politics from The Gambia’s body-politics.
“Tribal politics has to stop in this country, “Darboe stated, urging Gambians not to allow anyone to drive a wedge between them by whipping up tribally-charged sentiments.
