The Gambia government today announced stringent measures including dispatching security officers to monitor daily food prices in the markets.

The country is grappling with a rise in essential commodities caused by many factors including the Covid-19 pandemic and a disruption of the food supply chain due to the conflict in Ukraine. 

A statement from the government said that the ministries of Trade, Finance and Economic Affairs held a meeting  yesterday (March 21) with the major importers in the country to address the rising prices of essential commodities. 

“The recent observation of the increment of prices of essential commodities in the domestic market is disproportionately getting more frequent on a daily basis. And such frequent price increases at the retail segment of the market is not acceptable.

“For example, multiple price increases of a commodity within the day (price of the same commodity costing, let’s say D100 in the morning and this becomes D125 in the evening at the same place). This is an example of price gouging and is not in line with the principle of free market.”

The statement continued: “Consumers should not be taken advantage of in these challenging times, particularly as we approach the holy month of Ramadan. 

“Government has not increased any duty or taxes relating to these essential commodities and expects the retailers to be reasonable in their pricing. Failure to do so may require the government to deploy tools to address this anomaly.

“Government through GRA, GCCPC and other state security apparatus will embark on a strong monitoring of retail prices to ensure that consumers are not exploited. 

“The Government is therefore calling on all the retailers of essential commodities to be fair in their pricing. Failure to comply will lead to prosecution of the violators under the Competition Act 2007.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba