NDP Leader Challenges Government’s Claims on Rice Prices, Raises Concerns Over Food Quality

By Makutu Manneh

Kebba Madi Bojang, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), has criticized government officials for claiming that rice is cheaper in The Gambia than in neighboring countries, arguing that such comparisons overlook the quality of food consumed by ordinary Gambians.

Speaking at an NDP political rally in Essau on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Bojang questioned the government’s emphasis on rice prices, saying the quality and nutritional value of the food available to Gambians should be just as important as its affordability.

He argued that many Gambians are forced to consume poor-quality food because of their limited purchasing power, a situation he claimed is contributing to health problems across the country.

Bojang also accused government officials of being out of touch with the economic hardships facing ordinary citizens, saying their relatively high salaries allow them to afford healthier food while low-income households struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs.

He maintained that a comparison between the meals served in the homes of senior government officials and those of ordinary Gambians would reveal a stark disparity in food quality.

The NDP leader further criticized officials for making what he described as misleading public statements about the cost of living, accusing them of ignoring the daily struggles of the people they serve.

Turning to governance, Bojang urged Gambians to support the NDP, promising that his party would restore dignity and respect in the treatment of citizens at public institutions.

He argued that ordinary Gambians deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect when seeking government services, a standard he said is currently lacking under the present administration.