The United Democratic Party (UDP) has launched a scathing critique of President Adama Barrow’s administration, accusing it of plunging The Gambia into an economic crisis marked by soaring prices, a collapsing currency, and worsening poverty. In a blistering statement, the party says the government’s incompetence and indifference have left ordinary citizens fighting to survive while the ruling elite lives in luxury.
“Under Barrow, everything has gone up—except the quality of life,” said Tombong Saidy, UDP’s Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication. “We are witnessing the total failure of leadership. The president and his cabinet are enriching themselves while the rest of the country sinks deeper into hardship.”
According to the UDP, the prices of basic goods have spiraled out of control. A 50kg bag of rice now costs over D3,000, compared to D1,200 just a few years ago. A bag of onions is now D900, three times what it used to be. Everyday items like bread, oil, and even coconuts are now luxuries for many families. Petrol prices have jumped to D81 per litre, driving up transport costs and impacting everyone, from market vendors to daily commuters.
Water and electricity tariffs have increased by more than 60% since 2020, forcing families to ration usage or go without. “This isn’t just about bad policies—this is about a government that doesn’t care,” Saidy said. “People are choosing between feeding their children and lighting their homes.”
The housing situation, particularly in the Greater Banjul Area, has become another crisis point. Rent for a single room has more than doubled to D5,000–D8,000 per month, with landlords demanding six months’ rent upfront. Despite repeated promises of affordable housing, the Barrow government has delivered nothing. Instead, it continues to spend public funds on luxury vehicles, VIP lodges, and ministerial perks.
The UDP also pointed to the dramatic collapse of the dalasi, now trading at D620 for 5,000 CFA francs—a 35% drop since 2020. With The Gambia heavily reliant on imports from Senegal, the currency’s fall has made nearly every product more expensive. “Everything costs more now. Cement, fruits, vegetables—you name it. And with Tobaski around the corner, many families are wondering how they’ll afford even a single ram,” Saidy noted.
Groundnut farmers, once the backbone of the rural economy, are another group left behind. While Senegal raised its farmgate price to CFA 300/kg, the Gambian government left local prices frozen at D28,000 per ton. “This is economic sabotage,” Saidy said. “Farmers can’t keep up with fertilizer and labor costs. Many are abandoning their farms and risking their lives trying to reach Europe.”
The UDP also slammed the government for giving itself pay raises while ignoring frontline workers. President Barrow now earns more than D500,000 monthly. Meanwhile, teachers, nurses, soldiers, and civil servants continue to scrape by on wages that haven’t kept pace with inflation. “This is a government that looks after itself first. Everyone else comes last,” Saidy said.
Public healthcare, once a lifeline for the poor, is also under fire. Consultation fees at government hospitals have increased from D25 to D100, making even basic medical care unaffordable for many families.
Finance Minister Seedy Keita recently pointed fingers at “global inflation” and promised long-term reforms. The UDP isn’t buying it. “We’ve been hearing the same tired excuses for six years,” Saidy said. “The truth is, this government is out of its depth—and out of touch.”
As elections draw closer, the UDP is calling on Gambians to hold the Barrow administration accountable for what it calls “a deliberate betrayal of public trust.” The party is demanding immediate action to stabilise the dalasi, bring down the cost of living, and invest in agriculture and basic services.
“Barrow’s legacy is clear: misery for the people, comfort for the privileged,” Saidy concluded. “Gambians deserve better. It’s time to end this failed experiment and rebuild the country with a leadership that puts the people first.”
