(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow of the Gambia Wednesday led his fifth cabinet meeting they discussed decisions taken at its last meeting in June and several policy proposals and reports brought before it for consideration.
Members were briefed about plans for a policy to further liberalise the country’s broadcasting sector, the objective being to further promote freedom of expression and empower citizens.
Also presented for discussion was the 2017–2030 Health Sector Financing Policy; a memorandum of understanding between the government and development partners introducing the Gambia Country Compact; and a national climate policy.
Members received a briefing on the status of petroleum exploration and production of licenses for off-shore blocks A1 to A6, as well as on-shore blocks in the Lower and Upper River regions of the country. They also discussed the challenges of land allocation and management in the Tourism Development Area (TDA).
To address the financial gap in government, provisional approval was granted for a financial agreement with the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank Group that makes concessionary loans and grants to development countries. The agreement is worth $56 million and will be presented to the National Assembly for final approval. Cabinet members also discussed a proposal to put a levy on fuel as an alternative source of financing for sports.
On border issues, Cabinet members were briefed on the joint border verification and densification between The Gambia and Senegal. They were presented a report on the 4thConference of African Ministers in Charge of Border Issues, which took place in Addis Ababa last October. Today’s meeting agenda also included a presentation on the naming and re-naming of roads, other infrastructure and government facilities.
In the area of education, members reviewed a report on the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Forum for Education and Health Ministers in the United States in June as well as the 7th Ministers of Youth and Education World Forum, held in South Korea in July.
On international cooperation, the cabinet took note of reports on the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Monrovia in June; the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Addis Ababa in July; and an official visit to Turkey by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad.
5th cabinet meeting in almost 7 months after this government was inaugurated is a sign of ineffectiveness or the frequency of ministers traveling outside of the country is making it difficult to hold regular meetings. The honeymoon period should be over now.
Mr Barrow’s policy objectives must be impactful to the society and clearly articulated to the public. His subordinates and Ministers must develop strategies to implement these objectives. The people will no doubt see signs of change in their lives and reward him with praise for a job well done. The President needs to focus his ambition more narrowly on:
1. Security and 2.Employment.
Unless there is significant level of leadership this government will be overwhelmed by the numerous problems on the ground. There is need to develop priorities, a time line to accomplish objectives and a metrix to measure results. The sure and guaranteed result of trying to do too much with too little funds for too many people is failure.
God Bless The Gambia
One has to marvel at all that money coming in lorry loads from the international community; Very disappointing, that no word on where the Gambian government, intend to employ/deploy it/ in social and economic projects. Its the same old story of international tax payers, flooding African banks to stop the tears. Problem is/ that those who are crying, will never see a penny of it. Until and when the richer nations make loans grants and aid conditional, on audited results and benefits for all/ Africa will forever owe its soul to the men in gray suits. Of course its all a power and influence game for the diplomats and the greedy bankers. Gambia is playing the old game of>>> I am starving, give me some coins. African governments and international bankers, are so in love. Neither ever starve or miss a meal. So why should they care ? Talk and statements equal>>> no idea’s and no future for Fatou and Lamin.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Hey so what’s fresh ?
Mike Scales, you said it all. The more things change, the more they stay the same. My “Cup” is full and I therefore, reserve any further comment, except to ask the following questions. How many Members of Cabinet “Sponsored Pilgrims to Mecca for the Upcoming Hajj? How many Pilgrims did they “Sponsor”? What is the TOTAL COST of their “generousity”? What is the Source of the Funds, Money? In order words, How and Where did get the Money they are being “generous” with? I hope that the Loyal Opposition Partys would “Table” or bring this Salient questions to the NAMs Parliamentary Sessions and ask the Relevant and Designated Authorities in Parliament to answer these questions for the Gambian People. WARNING, the Hon. Mama Kandeh brought a similar enquiry to the attention of the Gambians, only have the Police deny his Party the Right and Privilege to Freely Assemble as Provided in the Gambian Constitution of 1997. I am not trying to Open up a “Can of Pocketed” or Stolen money used as Gifts for Party Loyalist or family members to perform the Sacred Hajj in Mecca. No. I do not call Attention of Allah, the all knowing, all seeing, all hearing to these questionable deeds. That would be presumptuous of me. I am leaving that to more inclined Scholars of Islam and the Quran to discern. My Thoughts just reminded me of Hamat Bah’s alleged Million or Half a Million Dalasis “Sponsoring” of three men and a woman for the Upcoming Hajj. If it is True, it is all the more reason and Imperative that the “Closeted” Hidden or Buried Assets Declaration Documents Should be made Public to Further not just Accountability, Transparency, and Due Diligence, but to Act as a Deterrent of Malfeasance and Corruptive Practices. Assests Declarations are not an exercise in “For your Eyes Only” to One Individual or Group of Bureaucrats or Officials. Declared Assests Should be Public Record. There is no Legal “Controlling” Authority that prevents such Declarations from being made Public Record, including and not limited to the questions of Privacy that the Barrow Regime is attempting to use as Dubious Subterfuge to Circumvent doing the Right thing for the Sake of the Gambians and Gambia. I trust the Opposition Party’s would take up these very Salient and Significant Issues with the Government on behalf of the People. One People, One Destiny.
The absence of a National Blue Print, detailing what the government plans to do and how soon, should be a concern to all of us. We all understand the situation that was inherited, but that is no excuse to just keep taking loans without fully explaining why these monies are needed and where they will go. As others have already pointed out, it is not the loans that are the problem, but how they are used and managed.
What exactly does it mean when it is stated that the $56million agreement secured with the International Development Association is meant to “address the financial gap in government”. We need to know what this “financial gap” is.
Doesn’t this “financial gap” include activities under the Ministry of sports? Why even consider a proposal to put a levy on fuel as an alternative funding source for sports, then? What about the consequence of that additional levy on fuel on the already over taxed, over burdened and extremely poor population?
How much of that $56 million is earmarked for personal emoluments of state officials’ travels overseas and other fringe benefits of high office? Maybe savings can be found there to fund sports.
We cannot continue like this if we want to be on the road to meaningful and sustainable development.
Perpetual dependence, whether on loans, aids or grants is not a healthy model of development and those who are bereft of ideas to change course have no right to seek public office. Gambians should take politics seriously and think hard about those they elect into government and Public Office.
I couldn’t agree more. I have nothing to add.
The high level of the public debt accumulated by the previous government is still rippling in the economy. This new government must be mindful not to increase the balloning debt burden which the economy can no longer sustain. There is a limit on borrowings.
“Rome was not built in a day.”This government is just 8 months old so everyone be patient
Agreed. However, if you read the history of the Roman Empire, most of the building projects happened during Periods of Strong leadership and Fiscal Disciplined Rulers. For example, under Augustus Ceasar aka Octavian. He alleged to have said, “I found Rome of mud and Brick and left it a Marbled City”. Of course, I will not remiss of the fact that the Roman Rulers used Conquered Territories’ resources to Develop Rome. My British friend Mike Scales may relate to that form of Development. Sorry Mike, can’t resist going that road of Pax Britannia. Of course, Gambia does not have that opportunity. However, that is precisely the reason why the Current Gambian Regime must Prioritize and Develop Fiscal Discipline of the Highest order. Too many people, too many needs, chasing too few dalasis, especially, when some of the few dalasis are allegedly being generously “Diverted into some Individual Cabinet Members Pockets”. Gambians are hungry, thirsty and electricityless for sometime now, while “On the “Job Training” from Top to Bottom” of the UDP Led Government is implemented with little indication of a Sense of Direction or Purpose. Pie in the Sky Ideas that seem to be Culled from Party Loyalist seeking employment are not necessarily the Best Practice in Outcome Based Governance. Such Loyalist are too Close and Invested to the Party and its Leadership. As such they tend to Provide “Group-Think” Ideas they know are what the Party or the Leadership want to hear. This is because, “Proximity Breeds Contempt”, and nothing more Contemptible than a Middle manager who knows or thinks he knows what his Boss Wants or even Needs. These are the Managers or Middle Level Officials who “Self” away Projects or Act as Gate-Keepers to the Ministries and the Minister, Preventing Relevant In-flow of Pertinent and Relevant information from reaching the Designated Office or Officials. To this end, Constituancy Outreach is a Must and Should be Frequent and Comprehensive in a manner that Facilitates Needs Assessment of the Constituancy with the Goal of Delivering to the Constituancy what they are most in need of and not what some Bureaucrats deemed they Need. The People Must be included in the Delibrations not as “Decorations” or Props but as Active Stakeholders. Consult with the People, Plan, Prioritize, and Implement with Added Value and Beneficiation as a Guiding Principle. “Wato Sittale”, “Leegage Jottna”. Let’s Get to Work, Gambia, especially, the Leadership needs be good role models Worthy of emulation.
Rome Nah,>> it’s in ruins.
Their still sitting around that Mahogany coffin staring into the abyss.
We witnessed the gathering of self minded ambition, called” the coalition” backed by Ecowas military. Jammeh then had two choices>>he chose to leave with his life and luxury goods and cash in tact. { So much for ” I am no coward I am prepared to die”}
Then the coalition made claims of embezzlement and land grabbing by Jammeh. But no proof has ever been published. Except suspicion and claims of so many bank accounts and titled lands and businesses. President Jawara stayed for 30 years…Jammeh for 22 years and this coalition number unknown.
Once they get into power with all its wealth making opportunities and incredible benefits>>you can be sure letting go will be ever so difficult. All they have to do is make a statement of intent every so often to please the masses, and lay back and enjoy the ride. If this lot where a chrysalis, turning into a beautiful butterfly, we would have seen it by now. But you and I could have written what they have published so far. Plenty of spoof, but negative in substance. I do feel very sorry for Gambians. The poorest soul is now even more distant from its government than when Jammeh was King. All we can say is the prisons have been emptied and the crocodile room is now an extra staff toilet on Independence Drive.
Scales, ‘lay back and enjoy the ride.” Didn’t I say that months ago! We’re are just waiting now for the unification of the ECOWAS currency.
Scales, “The poorest soul is now even more distant from its government than when Jammeh was King” That’s the message I’m getting when I’m in The Gambia, and these were hardcore Barrows fans! Anyways that comment you just wrote, would be ideal lyrics for The Gambian national anthem.
In summary; you could say, The King is dead, long live the King.
I subscribe to the views already expressed that the Government must be held to account. In so doing, it matters not that they’ve only been in office for 8 months or 1 day. They were accountable from day one. We give them the support they need to stabilize and develop, but that support must not be taken for granted. If the Government is borrowing or receiving monies in the name of the people of The Gambia, then the same Government must account to the people how and where they are spending or intend to spend the monies. Taking a loan to “address the financial gap in government” without clear details is the lay term for being corrupt with the monies, period! The Government could do better with the monies they borrow or grants they receive by building strong institutions, for it is only strong and independent institutions that will truly lead to a meaningful development of the country. The judiciary, Attorney General’s Chambers (especially the Office of the DPP), Police Force, Auditor General’s Department, Accountant General’s Department, Central Bank of The Gambia, Independent Electoral Commission and Ombudsman’s Office are some of the institutions that can truly hold the Government to account by ensuring that all is done by the book and to the letter and spirit of the law. So long as these institutions remain ineffective, we can rant for all we want – corruption on a quiet grand scale will always occur and continue…to be discovered only after the sitting Government loses office.