By: Lamin B. Darboe
The IMF Resident Representative in The Gambia, Madam Randall has underscored that equipping Gambia’s security sector is critical for ensuring Public safety in The Gambia.
Madam Ruby Randall made the statement recently at Senegambia Beach Hotel during the 3-days capacity building workshop for GAMTUB Trade Union leaders in the country with the theme: “The Gambia’s Pathway to Prosperity: A Role for Labor.”
“The recent civil unrest held within Kanifing Municipality (KM) and West Coast Region was an unwelcome reminder of the urgency of strengthening the rule of law and accountability in the security forces,” Madam Randall said.
Madam Randall also urged the authorities concern to make every effort in order to ensure a timely completion of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC).
Along with international partners and supporting countries she said, IMF is strongly committed to helping The Gambia strengthen key institutions responsible for statistical compilation and dissemination, government revenue mobilization, and public financial management, including by offering technical expertise and training.
According to her, it is essential that the assistance of the international community, including the IMF, is closely linked to The Gambia’s Development Priorities, as stated in the NDP.
She assured IMF readiness to listen to their ideas and proposals thus also to provide all the help the country need adding that IMF is looking forward to working with The Gambia as it proceeds along the pathway to prosperity.
She encouraged GAMTUB to continue doing its part so as to achieve shared prosperity, noting that the 3-day workshop need to serve as a continuous dialogue between all stakeholders, employers, workers and civil society organizations and international partners, to achieve a consensus on a “decent work” agenda that considers the needs of the regional labor market.
“Your challenge as Trade Union leaders will be to ensure that you are well prepared and organized to work in concert with The Gambia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIRE).
She explained that IMF estimates that growth in sub-Saharan Africa should accelerate this year to 3.5 percent from 3 percent in 2018.
“We expect growth of close to 4 percent over the medium term, and this is indeed good news,”