As GDC Marks 8th Year of Existence
By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The Administrative Secretary of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Ebrima Nyang, has lamented what, he described as, the socio-economic burden of the Barrow government on Gambians as GDC marked its eighth year of existence on Saturday.
Mr. Nyang said the Gambian population continues to be burdened by the Barrow government as nearly all sectors of the economy remain hugely challenged.
“We are cognizant of the fact that the country is facing a lot of challenges in almost all the sectors, ranging from education, health, youth unemployment, security and high cost of living,” said Mr. Nyang in a commemorative message sent to this medium over the weekend.
“We join Gambians to express our concern because the burden is on everyone’s shoulders, irrespective of your political house. We read weeks ago that there is a plan to increase the tuition fee at the University of The Gambia, which is a very big concern to us as a party because it will only continue to limit those from less privileged families to further their education at the university level,” he added.
The GDC administrative secretary pointed out that three square meals a day remain elusive for many people in The Gambia, adding that a tuition fee increase would worsen the situationof low-income families.
Soaring Food Prices
The GDC administrative secretary called for a shift in some of the country’s development approaches.
“We continue to realize the high cost of living and we are with the belief that our development must be localized to make a great impact on reduction in [prices of] our goods. The salary scale is poor and we have markets that prices change daily when salary is stagnant,” stated Mr. Nyang.
National Security
GDC’s Nyang said the population is terrified by the rate of violent crimes that the country experiences, saying every citizen’s security and safety as well as that of their properties are under threat. He continued to say that people no longer feel safe in and outside their houses due to security failures on the part of the authorities.
“The number of killings, injuries, and other types of crimes is rooted now in The Gambia,” he bemoaned.
Youth Unemployment & Drugs
He stated that despite forming the most significant chunk of the population, unemployment among youth continues to increase, resulting in many youths taking the Backway option to seek greener pastures on the other side of the Atlantic.
Mr. Nyang said the prevalence of drug use and abuse among the youth is robbing the country of its future. He stated that the high rate of drug use and abuse among youth is making many of them mentally unfit for participation in nation-building.
“The amount of drugs coming into this country should be controlled because, at the end of the day, those bringing them are not the victims but the poor, young Gambians who are the future of the country,” he stated.
Health Sector
Mr. Nyang maintained that the healthcare system is crumbling.
“Within the sub-region, The Gambia was among the best health systems but we continue to lose grip of that due to lack of transparency and accountability in the health sector. We cannot do well if we cannot prioritize the health sector for the wellbeing of our people,” he stated.
He then assured Gambians that GDC has a “strong conviction” that it will work towards a prosperous and united Gambia if it takes the mantle of leadership.