By: Nyima Sillah & Mama.A. Touray
Hundreds of entrepreneurs across Africa are currently exhibiting their products at the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry ongoing annual Trade Fair at the Independent Stadium, Bakau.
The trade fair, among other things, seeks to give platform to entrepreneurs to showcase and market their products.
Jumma K Camara, Director of Communication Office of Ombudsman told The Voice that trade fair is an avenue where the “Ombudsman can also set up a store and help people understand what the Ombudsman is all about and what Ombudsman can do for them when they have issues with officials.”
“All Ministries and security institutions are within the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman. If anyone has issue as long as that issue is as a result of the behavior of the public officer in the calls of official duty then bring that man to the Ombudsman, “he said.
“As Gambians we should know that Institutions exist and those institutions are created for us to make optimal use of them. We must ensure that we follow the principles of democracy and of good governance. If people don’t complain then we will not able to fight against the mal practices that are going on within the system,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mama Africa, a Malian entrepreneur said: “the trade fair is going smoothly but the pandemic has spoiled everything due to the impact it has on the economy across the globe.
She continued: “I sell different types of natural products and herbal stuffs and I have been participating in the trade fair for 10 years but this year only few customers are coming.”
Another entrepreneur, Fatou Lemmon, goods and cost for stalls are expensive which makes the business poor compared to the previous year’s trade fair.
“I was once a journalist and I came into business when our media was closed. We were too much and to have employment at the time was not easy so I decided to go in for business but for others they are still working with other media houses,” she said.
However, Aunty Yama Demba Cham Sohna, a mother to Her Apparel Store explained that her daughter was at the University of The Gambia studying political science after sitting her WASSCE exam she went to a shop to make her prom dress and the one called Lilly Ceesay who inspired her to venture into business.
“We want all the small girls to come out and make different things to inspire their fellow girls. All Gambians should come to the trade fair and support their fellow sisters and brothers who are working so hard to advance the business industry,” she said.