Amadou Sanneh, former Finance Minister and flag bearer aspirant for the United Democratic Party (UDP), has accused the government of fueling the country’s economic crisis through what he calls “inflationary” policies and reckless spending.
Speaking in Majai after his vetting for the UDP leadership contest, Sanneh argued that successive government budgets have been poorly designed and are worsening the cost-of-living crisis. He said the administration has leaned too heavily on taxation while donor funding has dried up, leaving the economy vulnerable.
“With the donors having so many issues, you don’t expect much of that to flow,” he told supporters, warning that the government must learn to “cut its clothes according to its size.”
Sanneh pointed to the collapse of the Dalasi as the clearest sign of mismanagement. He noted that during his tenure at the Ministry of Finance, the dollar traded at about D40, compared to more than D73 today. This depreciation, he said, is pushing up the price of goods and straining household incomes.
“If this trend continues, you can’t expect prices to go down,” he cautioned. “This is the case of economic inflation in this country, and it continues to rise as long as the Dalasi is falling, which is a direct result of the country’s economic management.”
The former minister labeled the situation a “failure” for both consumers and the wider market, framing the crisis as a direct consequence of government policy.
Sanneh also invoked his record in office as evidence of his ability to restore stability. He recalled taking over when national debt had climbed to 120% of GDP and donor confidence had collapsed, leading to the suspension of projects by the Islamic Development Bank. According to him, his team managed to stabilize the exchange rate, keep inflation near 6%, and revive business activity.
He further highlighted efforts to secure long-term development financing, referencing a conference in Brussels where his delegation won €1.4 billion in pledges. “If those pledges had been fulfilled, The Gambia could have become a paradise,” he said.
Sanneh’s sharp criticism signals that economic management will be a central issue in his bid to lead the UDP into the next election.
