By Modou Kanteh
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he current Barrow-led government has recognized the contribution of traditional rulers in the society, and the financial demands of responsibilities. Government has now created a salary structure for all alkalolu. To ascertain the impact of this initiative, this reporter engaged some of the alkalolu and gauged their reactions.
“I have been receiving a monthly salary since January 2022. I am really happy,” Alieu Camara, the Alkalo of Sikon village in Foni Bintang said. He pointed out that before the salary regime it was difficult to do some village administration work. “Now every month if I received my remuneration I buy a bag of rice and if a visitor comes I use it to provide food for them,” the Sikon Alkalo adds.
The Alkalolu in the provinces face even more challenges. There are limited means for them to get any extra earning apart from the seasonal farming. They get no commissions on land sales or transfer like their counterparts in the Kombos.
Also reacting to the initiative, the Gambia’s Paramount Chief Momodou Bojang applauded President Adama Barrow for the support, saying the President has made history with this salary package for village heads.
The former magistrate said since the colonial era no Alkalo in the country had ever received salary from government, despite the pivotal role they play in society.
“What President Barrow did is historic, and today all the Alkalolu are happy,” the Paramount Chief said.
He went on: “Look at it this way: if any visitor comes to a village people will say take him or her to the village head, so if the village head is not given anything then it would be difficult,” the chief argued.
