According to Mr. Celestine Kujabi, Secretary General of the Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG), the Gambia is currently experiencing economic conflict as its people, especially women and young people, continue to leave the country in search of better opportunities because of what he called “severe economic hardship.”
He clarified that the country’s constant population migration is comparable to a “war zone situation.” He expressed his extreme concern and urged a “swift and pragmatic” solution.
Mr. Kujabi asserts that the nation’s economy is in ruins and that foreigners have purchased the blue economy, or the sea.
He scowled at the government for “surely depending on loans,” pointing out that this raises the nation’s debt. He charged the Barrow government with limiting the citizens’ ability to own land while selling out properties to real estate brokers.“The Gambia will mirror the experience of Zimbabwe where land was nearly inaccessible to citizens as all have been grabbed by foreign nationals.”
Speaking further about the irregular migration crisis, Mr. Kujabi disclosed that a considerable number of deaths have occurred at sea in the nation, which he said amply demonstrates the hardship Gambians endure due to inadequate governance.
He charged that the nation’s leadership had failed to implement appropriate development plans that could guarantee citizens’ economic freedom and financial independence as well as jobs for young people. He went on to say that those in positions of authority are controlling and abusing the nation’s resources, which have not been distributed fairly.
Regarding education, Mr. Kujabi blasted the government, claiming that the curriculum is insufficiently rich to prepare students for high-paying occupations.
Regarding health, Mr. Kujabi went on to say that the government is ignoring the deteriorating healthcare system, which he claimed has been left in the hands of the government.
He alleged that while ordinary Gambians are left to rely on shuttered medical facilities, prominent government figures, including ministers, would take their families abroad for medical treatment.
