Papa Secka Puts Affordable Energy at the Heart of His Job-Creation Pitch

Papa Secka says cheaper, dependable energy would be central to his plan for drawing investment and expanding industry if he wins Gambia’s December 5, 2026 presidential election. The independent presidential aspirant made the pledge after submitting his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission, according to the report. Secka argued that talk about creating jobs needs to be backed by practical planning. In his view, industrial development is essential for generating employment that can last, while government’s role should be to build conditions that encourage private businesses to invest rather than try to provide jobs directly. He singled out the cost and reliability of energy as a key obstacle to investment. Secka said he would address that issue to make power affordable enough to attract investors and support economic activity. He also thanked Gambians and supporters who helped him complete the nomination process. Explaining why he entered the presidential race, Secka said the ideas he sees in the current political landscape do not match his own thinking about the country’s development. He outlined natural resources, land management and public finances as priorities for his campaign. On fisheries, he argued that Gambians do not benefit sufficiently from the country’s resources and called for greater national control. He also urged more transparency in land allocation and use, and identified corruption and accountability in the handling of public funds as concerns. Asked about holding people responsible for misuse of public resources to account, Secka pointed to his public-service record as evidence of his commitment to integrity and responsible governance.