Yankuba Darboe: Two Years of Transformative Leadership as BAC Chairman

For years, millions of dalasis were lost to mismanagement as Brikama — the headquarters of the WCR and one of the largest towns in the municipality, sank into visible decline. Public trust eroded, and by 2023, hope among residents had nearly disappeared.

That tide began to turn when Yankuba Darboe, a young lawyer and politician from Kafuta village in Kombo East, took office as BAC Chairman. In less than two years, Darboe has restored faith in local governance, introducing reforms and projects that are winning him admiration across the region — and even among some political opponents.

Restoring Accountability

From his first day in office, Chairman Darboe made fighting corruption a top priority. He moved swiftly to close all revenue leakages, address BAC’s overdrafted accounts, and enforce financial discipline. These steps not only stabilised council finances but also signaled a new era of transparency and responsibility under the mantra "Don't lie, Don't steal". BAC was to go on to collect a whopping D103 million council revenue in six months.

Investing in Education

Under his leadership, BAC has invested heavily in both Western and Islamic education. The council has spent over D2 million to pay tuition fees for BAC-sponsored students at the University of The Gambia, over D700,000 for students at the Management Development Institute, and recently covered fees for Gambian students pursuing studies at an Islamic university.

“Education is the foundation of progress,” Darboe has often said — a sentiment reflected in his balanced support for both academic and religious learning.

Cleaner Communities, Stronger Support for Councilors

In a recent development, Darboe delivered brand-new trucks to be deployed across the region for waste collection - part of a wider initiative to keep the municipality clean and healthy.

He has also doubled the Community Development Fund for councilors from D500,000 to D1 million, with a pledge to raise it further to D2 million next year. This increase gives councilors more resources to directly address the needs of their wards.

Winning Hearts Across the Political Divide

Beyond policy, Darboe has earned a reputation for defending the rights of women and standing firm in challenging situations. His straightforward and genuine approach has resonated with residents, many of whom see him as a true representative of their interests. However, others have seen his firebrand demenour as aggressive or tempremental. Despite these Mr Darboe stays true to his own character and that seems to do the trick as BAC under his leadership contunue to record unprecidented progress for the people of WCR.

Remarkably, even some of his political opponents have publicly praised his leadership. Social media posts from anti-UDP voices have recently described him as “presidential material,” underscoring his growing influence in the Gambian political arena.

From Kafuta to the National Stage?

In just two years, Yankuba Darboe has gone from a hopeful newcomer to a household name. Whether his ambitions will one day extend beyond Brikama remains to be seen - but for now, his tenure stands as a case study in how integrity, hard work, and decisive action can turn around a struggling institution.