In a move aimed at curtailing public expenditure, Adama Barrow, the President of Gambia, has issued a prohibition on all foreign travels for officials, including himself.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This decision was communicated through a statement released on Saturday by the presidential spokesperson, Ebrima Sankareh….CONTINUE READING

The statement declares the suspension of overseas journeys for a range of individuals, encompassing the president, vice-president, cabinet ministers, senior government personnel, civil servants, and employees across diverse government bodies and agencies.

The Gambia, a compact African nation, occupies a low ranking of 174 out of 191 on the UN’s Human Development Index, which gauges parameters such as health, education, and living standards.

A noteworthy portion, exceeding 20%, of the population lives on less than two dollars per day, as highlighted by the World Bank.

Confronted by an elevated annual inflation rate of 11.6% the previous year, the country grapples with additional challenges.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has contributed to a reduction in tax revenues and necessitated increased subsidies for essential commodities like fuel, fertilizer, and grain, thereby further straining the Gambian economy.

In light of these adversities, the preceding year witnessed the expansion of the budget deficit. Coupled with escalating levels of debt, this deficit has instigated heightened apprehensions about the nation’s financial steadiness.

However, certain exceptions to the budgetary restrictions have been outlined. Meetings mandating Gambian participation and foreign trips financed by external sources will remain unaffected by these measures.