Dr. Demba Sabally, minister of agriculture, has called on students awarded scholarships to actively engage in politics by supporting the National People’s Party (NPP) and encouraging others to join.

During the unveiling ceremony for the scholarships, Dr. Sabally said: “It is essential to understand that everything the NPP does is political. These scholarships are designed to prepare you as the future leaders of this party. We do not want scholarship recipients to merely engage in social media without contributing to the party’s growth. We expect you to champion the agenda of President Barrow and the NPP.”

He emphasised the importance of involvement in the party’s youth and student wings. 

“We want the NPP to thrive for generations to come, and it will be individuals like you who will lead the party forward. You cannot effectively take on leadership roles without being politically active. In politics, you must choose a side; neutrality is not an option,” said Dr. Sabally. 

He highlighted the potential impact of their involvement, saying: “If each of you brings in just 500 votes, that totals 25,000 votes, which can significantly influence an election outcome. While it may seem like a small group, your contributions are crucial.”

He also warned that the future of the scholarships hinges on the NPP’s electoral success. “If the NPP is not re-elected in the next presidential election, the incoming government is unlikely to honour these scholarships, which are not government-funded. It is in your best interest to ensure that you are registered to vote and to assist in registering 500 others.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba