Opposition Gambia Democratic Congress has called for political will to help address growing crime rate in the country.

The party’s leader Mamma Kandeh in a statement said the crimes in the new Gambia is scary.”

“This calls for an awakening of the required political will to track the root of these crimes by empowering the nation’s national security apparatus particularly at the points of entry into the country with the needed infrastructure and morale, strengthening the cooperation of the surrounding sister-nations to enhance a tighter border control mechanism.

“And above all increasing opportunities of employment for our young people which can help in making the crime rate fall,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kandeh said employment opportunities can be increased by opening the doors to small-scale industries for the  youth.

“It will make them gainfully busy in productive work which will decrease their predisposition towards crime,” he said.

“There is also a great need to combat the menace of poverty in the country which relates to ear- marking deliberate policies for economic empowerment of the masses. 

“We hope that the government of The Gambia will listen to the growing list of outcries from among our people over the painful and pathetic situation that we face today as a people.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba