His Excellency President Adama Barrow will tomorrow 18 July embark on a nationwide tour in fulfillment of the constitutional requirement that the president tours the nation annually to discuss with the people – his electors.
This is important as it will give the president the opportunity to have discussions so as to learn first-hand what the needs of the people are. It is necessary sometimes for the governors to reach out and talk to the people who voted them into office.
It is not possible for the president to know everything in the country while sitting in the capital city. From time to time it is necessary to travel inland and discover for himself the difficulties that the people are facing in their communities.
One thing which had almost become a norm in the previous government – which defeats the purpose of the tour – is the whitewashing of everything before the president comes and present an idea of perfection and that there is no problem or no difficulties which should be solved. As a result, when the president goes he sees perfection and then will be confident that everything is fine.
This kills the initiative and defeats the purpose. True, for the sake of honour and respect, certain measures might be taken when the president is coming but it should not hide the problems. The problems and difficulties should be shown to the president so that he can find ways and means of solving them.
We hope that all those concerned will endeavor to help President Adama Barrow see the true picture of what is going on in the country, so he can work to find solutions to the problems and have plans to salvage the country.
Safe travels Mr President!
