President Adama Barrow of Gambia is set to embark on a 19-day nationwide Meet the People’s Tour starting October 1. The tour, a constitutional requirement, will enable the President to engage directly with citizens, assess their living conditions, and gather information on the impact of government policies and development interventions. This annual tour is mandated by Section 222, subsection (15) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.
During the tour, President Barrow will conduct 21 general meetings, 24 site visits, and seven inauguration and handing over ceremonies across the country. The general meetings will be held in major towns and growth centers, allowing the President to address citizens and receive feedback on governance and development. The site visits will focus on ongoing government projects, including road construction, energy infrastructure, health facilities, and agricultural projects.
The tour provides a platform for communities to raise concerns, present demands, and seek government intervention on various issues, including roads, electricity, water supply, agriculture, health, and education. President Barrow will also use the platform to showcase development achievements since he assumed office in 2017, including road expansion projects, rural electrification, and bridge construction.
The President has described his projects as legacy projects, built for durability and future generations, with guarantees of up to 100 years on major bridges and roads. The tour is also expected to provide insight into emerging political dynamics, particularly following recent alliance talks between the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and other political actors.
Presidential tours traditionally attract large crowds, with local authorities, traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth, and party supporters mobilized to welcome the President. Security and protocol arrangements are being put in place to ensure smooth movement of the presidential entourage across the country.
The tour will conclude in mid-October, after which the President is expected to return to Banjul and resume official duties at State House. This year's tour comes months ahead of the December 2026 presidential election and offers President Barrow an opportunity to engage with citizens and showcase his administration's achievements.
In previous tours, President Barrow used the platform to announce new initiatives, respond to local grievances, and call for national unity and peace. The 2026 edition of the Meet the People’s Tour is expected to be an important event in President Barrow's second term in office.
Key points
- President Barrow will conduct 21 general meetings and 24 site visits during the tour.
- The tour is a constitutional requirement mandated by Section 222, subsection (15) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.
- The President will use the platform to showcase development achievements since he assumed office in 2017.
