Mr. Sulayman Ben Suwareh, in an interview with AG Radio, on Wednesday, recalls his childhood memories of listening to budget presentations over the radio during the first republic, a period marked by the presidency of Sir Dawda Jawara. During that period, SS Ceesay held the position of finance minister in The Gambia. In those days when budget presentations were broadcast on the radio, the primary question on everyone’s mind was how much the prices of commodities had risen.
Has the price of rice increased, among other things?
Due to my limited political education at the time, I would listen to the entire budget speech presentation. In those days, the government used to provide a clear explanation of all the reasons related to the budget. Mr. Suwareh remarked that the budget used to be articulated with such clarity that it left no room for uncertainty in the minds of the people.
The PPP government during the 1980s often described the global situation by providing various examples, citing countries such as Japan and Singapore, to illustrate that the rise in commodity prices was not unique to The Gambia, but a trend observed in many parts of the world. The government usually conveyed to the public the necessary measures that would stabilize market prices of goods and services, outlining the austerity steps to be taken during the implementation of the economic recovery program known as ERP.
Mr. Suwareh recalls that during the time of BB Darboe, a significant recovery was accomplished, and the government was very clear about how to sustain that trajectory towards complete economic recovery. The government at the time recognized that many investments were made that did not go as anticipated. NTC and GPMB experienced significant impacts due to inadequate management, highlighting the necessity for a thorough restructuring to safeguard the economy. All these stringent measures were implemented, and the economy rebounded in a timely manner. Mr. Suwareh stated that the Dalasi regained its value and the economy was stable once again.
In those days, we were all aware of the significant contributions made by Gamtel, Ports Authority, and various government branches to the Gambia economy. Regrettably, nothing seems to be functioning today in The Gambia. The majority of Gambia’s population consists of youths today, yet the government fails to invest in them. There are no initiatives for youth entrepreneurship, development, innovation programs, or voluntary services.
Mr. Suwareh asserts that the current government’s 2025 budget prioritizes its officials rather than addressing the needs of the people. During the Covid pandemic, most travel and conferences were halted, resulting in significant savings. Why can’t the government implement similar measures now? One aspect of the budget is the substantial loan that Gambia must repay, and discussions about salary increments seem futile. This approach lacks logic, as inflation will impact the government’s capacity to repay these loans, given that high taxes outweigh the benefits of salary increases, added Mr. Suwareh.
