(JollofNews) – The coalition government of the Gambia appears to be going through an identity crisis. Perhaps this is to be expected considering the diverse composition of its make up.
I was of the opinion that any situation is going to be much better than Mr Jammeh’s but of course, leadership was never in any question during Mr Jammeh’s 22 year-rule. When I first became involved with ministers of the APRC in July 2000, all was well-organised and those government officials I had dealings with were well motivated and in pursuit of the a common cause of nation building.
Those outside this competition were eager to join in a paid occupation under the APRC umbrella. The competition was fierce. The problems appeared to me to be the franchising with international organisations, which were economically and socially essential. As the years rolled by, the historical, economical and logistical ties with western countries were placed very low in the “New horizon.” To be replaced with Chinese, Cuban Libyan, Venezuelan, Taiwanese, Iranian, Turks and other Middle Eastern countries.
Apart that is from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and the Commonwealth of Nations. The common denominator was of course aid and finance. Most were jettisoned in a very unconvincing manner to a point where near the end of Jammeh’s leadership the economy was in total disarray and external debt spiralled.
The Dalasis was pegged and even oversea remittances were subject to tax. Farmers were complaining of having no tools or money to buy seed or fertiliser. Tourists were in sharp decline and the weather was at times devastating. Mr Jammeh’s slogan for the last three years was “eat what you grow”. Most of the growing rice production was earmarked for export as the traditional crop of groundnuts sank from 100,000 metric tons in 1998 to 25 metric tons in recent years. Tourism from the main provider Britain declined from 65,000 in 1998 to 23,000. The only growth market was remittances home bolstered by the mass migration of youths to Europe and America from 6 per cent of GDP to 14 per cent. There are many reversible aspects of policy that can reverse this dire situation.
The cornerstone of the APRC economic policy was to resell/re-export foreign-made goods the Gambia imports twice as much as it exports and as a consequence, created a significant negative balance of trade deficit. It could be reasonably argued that Gambia survives by foreign aid. An economy based upon subsistence.
To rectify this adverse situation will require sound policies with strong leadership. It is not just a question of finding donors or finance or foreign investors, but these are essential. It is more a question of how the next raft of finance/loans is to be used to address the present dire situation. The Gambia cannot afford to borrow forever, it must produce. I read somewhere that Gambia has only three weeks of cover from its required cover traditionally of at least three months.
The steps that the coalition government takes and what it says must be coherent, decisive and positive and with one voice. So far and from what I am hearing online and reading, this is not the case. The other significant situation is how the National Assembly works when scrutinising government policy. The coming National Assembly elections would hopefully restore a balance that will be helpful to holding government to account.
Agriculture can be made to work profitably again. Tourism requires an atmosphere, conducive to human rights and a free and responsible press. The Gambia’s tourism facilities are world-class. Business needs correct and competitive rates of taxation which assists inward investment from Gambians and entrepreneurs from Africa and abroad. The fishing industry, is crying out for modernisation including processing and creating higher valued finished products for export.
We await word from those involved to introduce their roadmaps and policies to get Gambia working again and make opportunity and wealth unfettered. Hopefully, the president can address these issues so Gambians can see the ship has left the port. The average food bill for Gambian families is beyond a joke. Action on pricing basic foods is urgently required. Talking is over time for action.
Wow Michael Scales, your wearing your business hat in this article, I do agree with what you are saying, one of the first things that needs to be a priority is 24/7 365days of consistent electricity supply, which should be a nationalise company meaning the company will belong to the people for the people meaning profits from the company will stay in the country, from that I truly believe The Gambia will begin to show green shoots. Fishing could be another blockbuster for The Gambia, but I’ve heard Sengal fishermen are controling that, I don’t know why? but yep I have to take off my cap to you on this one, too much of this political hate taking is not good for the soul or mind. PS, all these aid donations could be used for these projects, but I suppose it all depends on the criteria’s of the aid donations.
No, Senegal fishermen are NOT controlling the fishing industry in The Gambia, but they dominate it. The industry is controlled by the goverment, through the fisheries department. Operating licences are issued by that department to operators in the fisheries industry.
But you will notice, if you observed carefully, that many other productive areas that require specialised skills are dominated by Senegalese nationals, especially before the madness of Yaya Jammeh forced many to go back. It is not a coincidence; there is a reason for it. Gambia needs to start developing skills to achieve self sufficiency.
It is a crime that the exploitation of our most valued resources at present (fishing industry) is poorly manage, inefficient and completely under utilised for the general wellbeing of the population.
Bax, thanks for the clarification, why do you think Yahya ran the Senegalese out, protectionism?
May be or just using it as a leverage against their government. The more Senegalese tradesmen that go home, the higher the competition, thus increasing joblessness, which can lead to social unrest in that country. They are very quick to hit the streets, over there. Jammeh was a political animal too.
Lol
Yeah, I think “criteria” of “aid” is very important. There’s a lot of misconception about “aid” to developing coutries, especially Africa. Often, people think that aid money is physical cash handouts to African government to be used as they wish, but this is not the case. Aid itself constitutes a variety of “assistance” that is given monetary valuation, but involve no cash, and may be delivered in different ways and forms.
In many cases, the bulk of the aid don’t even leave the donor country and even what is received by the receiving country may have strings attached, thus limiting the scope and nature of how it may be spent. There is a lot of glamorization about Western “aid” to developing countries, but trust me, there is more to it than meets the eye.
It is not a coincidence that whilst about $30 billion is received as “aid” in Africa annually, more than six times that amount leaves the continent mainly to the same countries providing that “aid”, according to a recent report by a group of UK and Africa based NGOs.
For example, an initiative called “Investment to End Poverty”, recorded that according to a 2011 data on foreign aid to Africa, of the $7.5 billion recorded as “aid” to D.R.Congo, more than $5 billion never left the donor countries.
I think it is time that Africa re-examines its relationship with foreign “aid” and break this vicious cycle of “aid” dependence. Foreign aid has become a political and economic tool that is aiding the loot of Africa’s resources.
Martin Drewry, director of Health Poverty Action, one of the NGOs behind the report, said, “Let’s use more accurate language. It’s sustained looting – the opposite of generous giving – and we should recognise that the City of London is at the heart of the global financial system that facilitates this.”
Catch 22 or checkmate, pick your poison! That’s why Boris johnson sprinted to The Gambia so quickly before the ink even dried, that’s why I would back the BRICS or the Asian bank, before IMF or the American World Bank.
I just want to remind Gambian to be careful, there are social media outlets that wants to divide us. Trinalism has no place in Gambia, for someone to claim that Barrow only hires Mandinkas is totally nonsense and people should refrain from such baseless accusations. How many ministers are there in Barrow’s government and how many are Mandinkas. PA Nderry will set Gambia on fire. Since he claims to love the Gambia and now Yaya is gone, I think the best will be for him to return home and do his part in nation development rather than writing unfounded stories disguising himself. If you really love Gambia go back and do your part. All he cares is people to read his newspaper, so he’s bent on damaging the image of the current Gambia. For 22 years PA has not visited the Gambia, because he claims yaya jammeh will attest him but Yaya is gone now. If you truly have Gambia at heart as you claim then pack and go
New Gambia smellsu bad ,, Lack of leadership charisma intelligence and transparency, the coalition does not work in general interest but partisanship and a lot of tribalism, this is not the gambia which we have voted .
There is goodwill though, and that’s very important. Everything will settle down eventually, once the NA elections are done with. For now, some just want to place themselves in advantageous positions to reap the maximum benefit from transition period. It’s the ugly part of politics.
Grim Reaper;
The APRC’s energy policy was a joke:
What I found;
In all aspects of policy, the APRC would publish fake facts, that deluded Gambian’s that Jammeh was introducing ground breaking developments, that were in fact given with no substance. A prime example was the two second hand generators donated by The Netherlands, which turned out to be little more than scrap.It was false PR to bolster Jammeh’s image.
This was how donations were handled as a rule.
Regarding Senegal.
Looking at The Daily Observers printing machines.
For sure there were three Heidelberg offset printing machines and a two type setting machines, Two press’s were scrap and one typesetter was scrap.
When they broke down as they did often, they would have to wait for someone to come from Senegal to effect repairs.
Most Middle class Gambian families had second hand diesel generators.The better off the family the better the generator. The difference in out put was remarkable.
In the 6 years I met Ministers, all presented the APRC achievements in an unrealistically most euphoric way. The reality was nothing worked, they lived constantly praising Jammeh, lest they be sacked or sent to Mile 2 for some stern Brain washing treatment, and the majority were then re-employed. It was like watching some bizarre sci fi movie, where all were trapped in this sycophantic cascade, of dreams.
Senegal controls our army forces our borders and will build more bridges to get 100 % control , new seneGambia
Considering what is going on just now…would Senegambia be such a bad thing ?
Anyway I can’t see Senegal wanting to take on Gambia’s massive debts/
It would be a grave insult to the sacrifices suffered, by the common people if Gambia’s present meagre resources, were to squandered on a none functioning government. The APRC, must regroup to form a coherent opposition. There also presents a significant opportunity for Mama Kandeh.
Mike, I do not have any qualms with APRC trying to survive after their humiliating defeat at the presidential elections. However, Mike for someone like yourself who has had first hand experience of APRC government i am slightly disappointed that you are actually advocating a resurgence of APRC to challenge as you put it “a none functioning government”. Mike, lets not forget that this “none functioning government” has been in office for only two months. They are still finding their feet. I remember the Clegg/Cameroon coalition went through similar phase. Ministers briefing against each other. So what is happening in the Gambia is not uncommon in political alliances involving political parties with different ideologies. What the coalition needs now is for us to guide them through this trying times. We can do this by applauding them when they do good and constructively critique them when they do wrong. Mike every vote for APRC is a vote for Yahya Jammeh and an endorsement of all his atrocities. That is something we should all remember. I do not for once think that is something you want. So lets not be making any suggestions for APRC or giving them any ideas. If they can work things out for themselves so be it.
Buba///
If your asking my opinion;
As the former 12th most wanted man by the NIA
I think my anti Jammeh credentials are locked in stone.
My financial support to the online media over 10 years, was done with the clear understanding of my wish not to have any say or control in how the media runs there affairs. I am totally independent.
I have my say online and that’s it. I know the media don’t always like what I say…But hey that’s my free speech.
If you are saying that those who voted APRC are in agreement with Jammeh’s atrocities,,,then your saying 50% of Gambian’s are in favour of criminality.
I do not believe that that is the case.
Many Gambian’s would not vote Halifa Or Darboe and the rest. So the APRC vote may hold up.
The age restriction is lifted for Darboe
Mama Kandah is a different proposition.
The coalition lead by Barrow was a different proposition.
If the coalition fields “own party” candidates///
I think the APRC will still do well.
The coalition need to think what they would wish for//
The political ground is very uncertain right now.
If Jammeh’s “deal” to leave means he can come back without fear of prosecution///then who’s to say Jammeh is finished.{ unless he accrues a criminal conviction}
I don’t think I have heard the APRC say they have a new leader?
It would not surprise me if Mama Kandeh’s party does very well In the National Assembly elections.
That’s if he can field enough candidates.
If Darboe or Sallah could have stood for President with any chance of winning….they would have.
I’m a gambling man.
I would say its either Mama Kandeh or an APRC nominated Presidential candidate for President in 3 years time.
This uncertainty will not help Gambia’s economic recovery at all. Ok its only two months…But I think this coalition is already leaking badly.
Mike I have not and will not question your integrity. And you have every right to free speech. 50% of Gambians who voted for Jammeh may not be in favor criminality but their votes do endorsed Jammeh thus indirectly endorsing his crimes. The coalition may be leaking badly but that does not mean they can’t fix the leak. Mike all I ask is for you, me and others to support them fix the leak instead of pointing out how APRC and GDC can capitalize on that leakage to become the next government. Because if either Party gets in we can be certain of a return of Jammeh. Why not make suggestions to the coalition on how to trash APRC and GDC?
Buba///
Why would I attempt to interfere with everyman and women’s right to follow there conscience ?
You know that feeling as a child when you leave your home and toys to be forced to be with other children at school.?
Almost immediately the hierarchy is formed and you find your social level in the scheme of things very quickly.
It’s the same when leaders of a Party have to co-exist with other leaders in the same “School”.
Some make it and prosper///
Others run home to Mama.
My self’
I vote for the Lib/Dems knowing full well they can never form a government or have the next Prime Minister.
My local MP is now the leader of the Lib/dems.
He has backed my every approach to Government over Jammeh and African’s about to be deported and African’s who find themselves as stateless or without papers or identity or right to work legally and earn to support themselves and there families.
As a team we have been very effective.
Why oh why would I vote for Teresa May? As former Home Secretary her policy’s on immigration/// and African’s was draconian.
African’s working illegally make up 25% of all staff in our care homes of the elderly and mentally ill and the NHS. and 50% of all staff on our farms and processing factories.
Without proper legal aid/// Immigrants have little chance of fighting deportation.
I am amazed at how important discussions on the way forward for The Gambia on online discussion groups are quickly derailed by issues that have no bearing on aspirations for development in the Barrow led government. What I call The New Gambia!
It is also absolutely important that online subscribers stop cherry-picking snippets of information for the object of casting doubt on a writer’s integrity or political leaning as the practice represents an exercise in futility.
When Michael, Buba or Bax raise important issues regarding the development of the Fishery, Agricultural and Tourism sectors of the Gambian economy, it is important that Gambians engage their diverse perspectives in academia, overseas experiences and modern world innovation in the effort to craft programs, policies and supporting legislation in support of national VISIONS. Yes, visions with an “S” because in our Gambia, it looks like a single vision such as food security may not be the cure all but could also run in tandem with other visions such as the establishment of financial structures for youth development or enabling private seed production enterprises for agricultural commodities. It also appears that, in our Gambia, a single vision such as Jammeh’s Vision 2020 tends to be lost in translation with stocks being taken after huge amounts of money have been spent for naught. Then the nation goes back to running to to donors with hat in hand!
I like to mention financial structures because commercial banks may have money to lend but in The Gambia that we all know, traditional commercial banks have never shown much interest in development programs with longer gestation periods. They all claim that they do entertain bankable projects but it is questionable how development in the productive sectors can benefit from loan funds that command more than 20% lending rates!! Traditional banks have also notoriously shied away from managing donor funds targeting the productive sector. The financial policy “wonks” at the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) have not been helpful either in steering banks in the direction of soft lending for the productive sector!
Thus we Gambians must collectively look inside, in a positive outlook, to build up on ideas that not only bear potential but also help to shorten the curve to the ultimate goal. Even if the idea(s) come from a Mzungu with the funny hairdo or Foday from Tambasansang! Gambians must collectively start giving serious thought to why The Gambia may be pricing itself out of the international tourist market or why The Gambia is not making progress on the quest to enhance food security and bring down the overall household food bill. Certainly, when the same hectare of cropland sees reduced yields over the years and the cost of farm inputs and transportation have been rising at alarming rates, there are surely inherent problems that must be addressed and corrected!
The role of local Area Councils (Provincial Councils) in rural development must also be tabled for review in the effort to not only reduce the hemorrhaging of funds to political patronage, graft and incompetence but also get off of their behinds and take up meaningful and tangible rural development undertakings other than building market stalls!!!
We must also start to think seriously about how we can collectively enable legislation to address pressing issues that seem to stifle development aspirations and goals! Yes, legislation! Michael Scales will tell tell you that bright ideas may be born but will not gather steam without the requisite buy-in, sponsorship and legislation to put a stamp (not a rubber stamp) on it. Michael, please share your thoughts and perspectives in this domain.
The business of dancing ourselves out of steam to the current political drumbeat certainly robs us of the capacity to stay focused on pressing issues at hand and keeping our eyes on the ball(s). Tendencies, that Michael alluded, robbed the Jammeh regime of the will and wherewithal to deliver on urgent national aspirations. Undoubtedly, the self serving approach to public service by Jammeh appointed officials must also be taken into account in the failed efforts.
In a nutshell, wherever sensible ideas are proffered from any source, we must collectively as a forum, deliberate on the ideas in the attempt to build substantive and sellable strategies out of them!
This is exactly what the New Gambia needs!! Let’s put our ego trips aside!!
Breath takingly accurate Andrew…
The hairs on my old neck are standing to attention !!!
Yes Yes and Yes !!!!!!
Mike, as a Lib/Dem supporter, the events unfolding in the Gambia must feel as deja vu. Remember the Lib/Dem promise of no tuition fees and how that became £9000? I bet you must have felt disappointed and let down like must people who voted Lib/Dem including my humble self. That was followed by severe cuts in welfare benefits and the introduction of draconian immigration laws which were all things alien to traditional Lib/Dem voters. And how the Tories used Lib/Dem ministers to defend those unpopular acts, especially Danny Alexandra of the Treasury. Osborne only appears on TV if there was credit to be taken. Mike that coalition almost completely destroy Lib/Dems as evident in the last general elections. Your MP is doing a great job turning the Party’s fortunes round as the Richmond Park by-election shows. I am optimistic the same will happen with the coalition after the forth coming elections. A poor performance at the pools might just be the kick the coalition needs to appreciate what is at stake. Like the Lib/Dems, I think the coalition is overwhelmed by the reality of the tasks they face. You can share with us some of the things that the Lib/Dems have done and are doing to turn their fortune round.
Andrew, this is what happens when people who understanding of geopolitical issues try to analyse a given political situation as an isolated issue. They cannot understand or make a correlation between events happening elsewhere and the Gambia. So when me, you, Bax, Mike, Natty, Bourne, Dida, Dr Sarr and others are engaging in intellectual discourse they jump in to distract us from those discussions. It is the one of the downsides of freedom of speech that we have to live with.
Buba///
The Lib/Dems are a principled bunch. Unfortunately,over the last 10 years the electorate has moved to a position of disenchantment with politics/ due to transgressions by MP’s and the connections with the media and the financial institutions/ and the proliferation of personal attacks by the media and the introduction of Fake news and phone tapping etc etc etc. The Lib/Dems lost touch with the mood of the people. Incidentally, the Lib/Dem manifesto was obsolete and of no use the growing disenchanted electorate.
But being principled and dogmatic and unable to bend in the wind of change, and stayed out of tune with the new reality/ they were savaged.
Nick Clegg took a wrong turn by supporting the Tories and abandoning There “closeness” with the Labour Party and keeping there distance from the Tories.
The end result still being felt is the disintegration of the Labour Party and also themselves.
They also suffered by the resurgence of the SNP/
in Scotland and there nationalism.
Farage and Johnson, and Brexit, are all extreme exponents which gave those suffering the most from the aftermath of the Financial crash in 2008
a false premonition that has rekindled nationalism and a move from the electorate towards the centre right. The wall of fire that will come from Brexit, is being faced by false high employment { Limited hours contracts and the growth of the self employed} WE no longer help the unemployed the sick or the disabled..we exploit them. WE no longer give legal aid, to right the wrongs of those left without protection of the Law. Fraud is wiped under the carpet and left to flourish as a new industry, and debt collection is now a normal condition of daily life.
In brief the Tories have abandoned true British values and the face of Britain is going through a very hard social attack that will only gather pace.
Mike uncertainty likes ahead post Brexit.
Buba, I do understand that everyone is entitled to chime in and subscribe to discussion forums but that shouldn’t take away from the need to generate meaningful strategies for the benefit of readers and partners looking for refreshing and innovative pieces of the Gambian puzzle.
My take is that whether the powers that be in The Gambia listen or not, Gambians with sound ideas and proposals must not fall prey to silly distractions. Think about when folks ask US politicians to show them the adults in the room. Adults not in terms of age but those that are able and willing to steer the ship in the right direction. So, we must be seen as the folks that periodically fire a warning shot over the bow of the ship to garner the attention needed and hopefully, help to steer the ship of state in the right direction. If at some point that like minded Gambians have to come together to create the political will and wherewithal to effect meaningful democratic change in The Gambia, it will all be in the interest of our nation and a claim to our rightful roles as citizens.
And Mike, I must add that the unsavory and persistent tendency to embellish budget reports, hiring friendly foreign auditing firms, cooking books and other data is nothing new in The Gambia. Started way back in the PPP era.
Frankly, we do have a lot of work to do in The New Gambia that can be achieved only if we can agree upon and rally behind common goals (visions). Gambians in the diaspora should, in no small measure, bring their much needed perspectives to the table.
We couldn’t and should not be marginalized in the noble undertaking to resuscitate this dear Gambia of ours!!
Andrew i will be with you all the way in the quest to steer our great nation towards the right direction. Keep up the good work.
Andrew//
I think no one can begin to settle on a business plan until a meeting of all the Permanent Secretaries and business leaders is commenced. The coalition may have already embarked upon this necessary information gathering.
One does not necessarily have to alter present policy only improve it.
I think my idea’s would not be a thousand miles from What Halifa has outlined.
Buba I never voted in the Brexit issue;
I know I would have voted for Brexit
But I also know I would have been wrong to do so.
As I suggest>>> This was an emotional vote;
Not one made in broad daylight and with the wise head.
Andrew, my contention is that the Permanent Secretaries and business leaders don’t hold all the answers the development of entrepreneurship. In fact, Permanent Secretaries seldom do!
In the absence of stakeholders, in our case the burgeoning unemployed youth population, a top to bottom prescription may not be the answer. The top are Gambians alright but they are too detached from the realities on the ground. Otherwise we would not be hearing or reading about near zero (single digit) inflation in The Gambia!
In my mind, whatever policies emanate from think tanks or task forces (a common fallback strategy) without tangible and rigorous structures in support of a navigable and TRULY enabling business environment, we are not in business.
The key problem in The Gambia has been and still is access to seed money. I doubt that any aspiring entrepreneur can survive under the yoke of the current bank lending rates in The Gambia.
I am all for business leaders such as Taf, Mohammed Jah, and other prominent Gambian businessmen coming up with discussion groups and proposals in support of charting a direction for sustainable youth development programs. I don’t like the word empowerment as it is too vague. What is required is precise and surgical innovations that will shorten the curve to GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT! Certainly, there’s little reason or appetite for reinventing the wheel but we could build on existing structures while looking to remove all the barriers to entry and cut back on senseless tax structures and red tape.
The GCCI claims to be a One Stop Shop but for what? They don’t hold any cards that I know of.
Also not all Badibunkas, Pulos and Fana Fanas can be shopkeepers. There’s by far too many retailers in The Gambia selling similar products in my view.
There’s an untold number of young fellows that have idea bulbs going Bing, Bing in their heads but the question in their minds is always, where do we start! I totally disagree with the notion that Gambian youth are lethargic and complacent. The fact is that the media in The Gambia has for long been lopsided with private radio stations not committed to civic education or creating awareness on training and other resources for young people. Also the government is very poor at selling programs to Gambians. For God sake, use the cellular service providers to disseminate pertinent information as a social undertaking!!
The Gambia government and Gambians must raise their heads to look for schemes that work in other places that can be replicated and adapted for Gambian circumstances. For a start, Senegal or Morocco could be treasure trove of innovative ideas for aspiring entrepreneurs.
What Gambian youth really need is skills training and subsequent funding to see their ideas through. The approach is not about projects or government handouts but financing schemes, other than village credit unions, that go to support light industry and hands on schemes that strategically target priority sectors.
Gambian youth must also be trained to understand that starting a business is no longer about family and friends overseas bankrolling startup ventures but that they can borrow funds locally on their own strength, plow into a venture, hopefully generate profits and PAY the loan back as agreed!! This element alone could be an immense booster of confidence! A key ingredient in the success of novel enterprises.
I’m reminded of an entrepreneurship program in PIKINE-GEDIAWAYE on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal targeting young entrepreneurs, that was funded by the development aid arm of the Canadian government. The success rate for the program was phenomenal. The point I’d like to make is that we Gambians must work to get The Government’s finger out of every pot or pie! Otherwise, we will continue to have PUBLIC SERVANTS standing astride of the line between Public Service and the Private Sector, serving their own interests and continue to throw a wrench into well intended development programs. The conflict between the Public Servants and Private Operators become more evident in front end taxation schemes, sales taxes and officials misrepresenting government guidelines for their own ends.
The Gambia must be seen to be acting with the urgency and seriousness that the current environment demands!!
Interesting Andrew.
My business Philosophy is based on experience;
I reached a deal with my accountant to do a health check on my company at the end of every month. This mean’t I could control both income and expenditure and dictate how much profit to earn every month. I also travelled the UK in a previous life inspecting company branch’s, giving guidance and trouble shooting.
Both offerings required information and hands on knowledge of the management of companies.
Information is power.
Permanent Secretaries and successful business leaders form a think tank and provide management and guidance as to how each section of business operates and highlights detrimental situations that can be rectified.
Government can operate on the same principals not necessarily to do with finance///
You may be aware of ISO 9000…which offers many principals and road maps and detailed written instructions which are processed into written form. To achieve recognition used to be a worthy creditation which said the business was operating under that system.
The normal measures of business start up,,, demand the production of a business plan and a cash flow forecast which projects the anticipated weekly /monthly profit forecast.
These days I do Business mentoring
{ fully trained }
The Principal of engagement with any business is to offer suggestions not solutions leaving the Business owner in total control of there decisions.
By asking the right questions the business owner is encouraged to make there own decisions based upon information. To take any decision without a recognised plan or correct information// is decision likely to become a liability.
Let me give you an example of guiding youth into business.
My Market research in The Gambia was probably the most extensive ever carried out.
I took a box of mobile phones to Gambia and chose 10 lads.
I gave each three phones retail priced competitively at around 2,500 dalasis.
I asked them to sell at that price and offered 500 dalasis commission per sale.
They were to come back 7 days later or earlier if sold out.
Only one lad came back.
He only sold one phone and said it was at 1500 dalasis.
The rest of the stock was lost and the boys were never seen again.
Mr Jammeh said he gave some lads free boats to do fishing only to find the lads had sold the boats.
How you get around this fundamental question requiring education and a youth culture shift.
Yep, some kill the goose that lay the golden egg.
The 4 key elements of my contribution are :
Knowledge
Information
Planning
Profitability.
I found a significant market for all kinds of goods and services in Gambia. My own business of selling and servicing photocopiers, computers was in great demand.
But where all my plans came to nothing was by not being able to find a finance/leasing company to take on the financing of my client’ purchase.
Bank lending was also disproportionate with high interest rates for personal loans.
Traditionally in the western countries, there are thousands of such companies. So provided my clients passed my finance companies credit check the deal was good and I got paid direct to my bank within three days by the finance company. My only obligation to my client was to service his machine for a period of 5 years. Before then I would have offered the client a new deal.
A tip to government would be to set up a credit check system…and engage the Banks to offer competitive leasing terms to business using this credit check system.
This would introduce new business into the Gambia selling all kinds of capital goods and services and create the right kind of economic platform for many growth industries.
I used an American sales thesis call CAPO
Contacts
Appointments
Presentations
Orders
30 canvass calls makes 10 appointments
10 Appointments makes 5 presentations
5 Presentations makes
0 to 5 sales.
The object of a canvass call is not to sell. It is to make and appointment with the buyer.
The object of an appointment is to make a presentation{ Explain your product and its benefits}
A poor salesperson would make between 0 to 2 sales
An average salesperson would make between 1 and 3 sales
A top salesperson would make between 3 and 5 sales.
My own personal average was 4.4 sales.
But I was considered the best salesperson in my field in the UK.
Warning !!!!Coalition leading by Barrow asking 2000 more Senegalese army’s will hurt Gambians can change their minds trough incoming regional elections as people don’t like them in our streets
Using this sales method I set up my own company in June 1996 with just £1248 and a bank overdraft of £1600
Withing two years it was turning over half a million pounds, with a net profit of £176,000 PA
You can sell almost any product using this sales method. Hope it inspires you to give it a try ???
Mike, you on to something here!
It’s called Business to Business (B2B) Lending in the US.
My daughter is part of such a venture here in the US that is doing very well. This is certainly an approach that could offer preferential lending rates to investors as an alternative to the much higher business rates offered by commercial banks in The Gambia.
While the concept bears immense potential in The Gambia, Senegal and the broader sub region, a major constraint would be the vetting of candidates and businesses for lending support under the scheme as there are currently no unified mechanisms to run credit checks or verify authenticity on the ground. In the US, B2B lending is largely based on credit checks and the credit worthiness of clients. B2B’s also offer much shorter turn-around times!
I believe that this is an opportunity to set up a business incubator(s) alongside business service entities to promote and nurture young businesses and concepts. Mike, you can take a lead in this undertaking on account of your experience and I’d be more than willing to lend support in this endeavor. The establishment of a formal Commodity Trading floor in The Gambia would be an added benefit. The American Corner and other resources offered by diplomatic offices in The Gambia could be explored for possible support. Certainly, other ideas could be born as we brainstorm on concepts.
Buba, Bax and other parties, what are your thoughts on the foregoing plus other concepts that may come up in your minds? Please feel free to contact me at pjalo@icloud.com to share ideas that couldn’t be outlined on this forum.
Andrew i have an idea on how to develop Gambia and i believe most of the things that you, Mike and others have highlighted will be addressed in my proposal. I am just polishing it a bit and will send it to the editorial boards of all the Gambia online and print media outlets. I want it to receive wider circulation so that all Gambians can critique it and add their contributions to it.
Noted, Buba.
That’ll be fine.
You must understand the Banking industry. The first principal of lending {Disregard the adverts on TV} is Not to make you money. Its is to make themselves money. {Although they will always say they are making money for there shareholders}
Once you understand that principal, you then can go some way in knowing how to engage the Bank for a loan.
{ understand collateral and Profit forecast}
However the lending rate in Gambia is historically very high.
I spoke to two banks; The gave the reason for high interest rates as being the higher risk they face lending in the Gambia. Which I find hard to believe. Most Gambian’s are honourable.
Another situation I found commonplace was business people tended to change dalasis into pounds or dollars and keep large amounts of cash safely hidden.
Another experience was when I went to The Standard Chartered Bank to pick up several thousand dalasis, I was shown into a back room that had dalasis from floor to ceiling on top and under tables so much that I could not give you an estimate but certainly many millions.Possibly several billions.
All that cash not working to create wealth and profit.
The sales I made to Government Offices were never paid. This tells you a lot about the mindset. No one dared challenge them or they would call in the NIA.
I made most of my sales from Foreign NGO’s and Humanitarian Org’s who paid cash.
The only client of any worth in Gambia was Gambia Family Planning. They were a well lead and modern outfit with a very clued up MD.
He ordered a full colour copier and we kept it well maintained and supplied. They always paid cash in advance. In the end I financed my deals myself. But client’s would pay the monthly charge for maybe once or twice, then make excuses and not pay. To withdraw machines from None paying clients would cause a street row which was very unpleasant.
On balance I would have to say Gambia’s major problem is its Banking practices.
A computerised credit system for Gambia, would require much explanation to the General Public. Also confidentiality of clients details and credit worthiness must be secure.
If a Bank in Gambia was to break the mold and engage this situation with vigour, They would indeed become very rich indeed. !!!
I am not a banker;
If the Gambian Government could stop inter party bickering and employ the right brains to address this situation…Gambia could unleash its true potential.
I found Gambian business leaders,,,amongst the toughest and profit minded seasoned individuals.
Myself I would give Amadou Samba this job. He delivers. I have never met such a clever businessman…and I have met many top business guy’s in the UK.
Its good to talk and good to hope.
But I doubt very much this present Government could see the wood for the trees.
You would need a Government of unity all pointing in the same direction. Pity there not all communist, at least then the leader could lead.
Clearly, all banks would tell you that they are acting to meet the demands of their shareholders but the the Nigerian banks that entered the market of recent have certainly been acting on market entry strategies that are clearly informed by precedent and Gambian financial market trends at the time of entry.
Yes, they are promoting new products and services on the ground but these “innovations” are largely driven by corporate policy and culture. Banks throwing money at government Treasury Bills must also be reviewed now that the Gambian public is becoming quite nervous about the level of domestic debt!
Certainly to Mike’s point, there are untapped areas with immense potential that are yet to be explored. I want to see the stronger of the local Credit Unions seek banking permits to set up brick and mortar facilities that will offer competition in the Gambian financial markets. The Central Bank of The Gambia must in turn review and rescind guidelines/policies so that the barriers to entry that belong to the 1990’s are removed. That would be one of several ways to bring lending rates in The Gambia to realistic levels. This may be a high hurdle as the commercial banks will surely lobby in earnest to counter any move to lower lending rates.
Andrew, It is a great pity that you and other commentators, online are not occupying a central government think tank. The standard of Gambian commercial innovation, in evidence is far ahead of the party politics, that is presently occupying the centre ground. These “old Boys” are pre-historic and should be put out to grass as soon as possible.
My life long thanks to My mentor Chuck Berry who has sadly passed away.
My fond memories of singing his songs in front of many a North East Scottish audience in 1969 are revisited by my memory more and more as I get older.
Johny Be Good, California girls, Sweet Little Sixteen, Mableine and so many more. The 12 bar rift was revolutionary and so many other songs that could be performed using that magic rift.
Kansas City, Route 66….Driving and playing the radio with no particular place to go…///
I bet Heaven can’t wait ???
My chuckle buddy….RIP