The six presidential candidates have been challenged to commit to addressing Gambia’s rising 77 billion dalasi debt.

Open Society Platform, which advocates for an inclusive and open governance and accountability in The Gambia, gave the challenge.

Speaking during a media briefing today, Abdoulie Jadama, one of the group’s senior officers, said: “Open Society Platform for Good Governance hereby presents this policy agenda for political parties and their candidates which they are urged to address in their campaigns ahead of 2021 Presidential Election”

 “Policy measures to reduce The Gambia’s huge debt profile and expand the economy; The Gambia’s current national debt is estimated at $1.56 billion. 

“And Gross Domestic Product estimated at $2.04 billion. In real terms The Gambia’s current public debt to GDP ratio is 82.31%,” he added.

According to him, to achieve sustainable economic growth “the country’s debt burden agaisnt GDP should be below 77%.

And exceeding this point for a prolonged period causes slow economic growth.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba