By Makutu Manneh
The Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Mod K. Ceesay, said the government’s subsidy programs and other market support measures have helped reduce the prices of basic commodities over the past six months, even as countries around the world continue to grapple with rising costs driven by global economic pressures.
Speaking at a recent ministerial town hall meeting, Mr. Ceesay described the decline in prices as a notable achievement for a country that depends heavily on imported goods.“Rising cost of living is a global phenomenon, but in the last six months what we achieved in the Gambia is phenomenal,” he said.
Despite international supply chain disruptions, extreme weather, higher shipping costs, and increases in overseas prices, he said, the prices of essential commodities in The Gambia have moved downward in recent months.
Mr. Ceesay attributed the trend to government intervention, saying the state had sacrificed potential revenue by reducing or foregoing certain collections and redirecting those resources toward subsidies and other measures intended to cushion consumers from higher import costs.
As a net importer, The Gambia remains particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices, making efforts to stabilize domestic markets a central part of the government’s economic strategy, he said.
Beyond price stabilization, Mr. Ceesay said the government is working with manufacturers, industrialists, and farmers to stimulate investment and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
He acknowledged that youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge, citing the growing number of graduates entering the labor market each year alongside the aspirations of many young Gambians to seek opportunities abroad. As part of its response, he said, the government is promoting circular migration programs, which allow Gambians to work overseas through regulated and legal channels before returning home with skills and experience.
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