A business tycoon has warned President Adama Barrow about the current rise in basic commodities and urged him to step up efforts in addressing the situation immediately.

The Gambia has been rocked by rising prices in food and fuel and shortage of foreign currencies. 

However, the government linked the situation to the Covid pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

But Pa Njie Gri-gara has just offered Barrow his piece of advice that: “I am not saying for him to address all the problems, but tomorrow he will want to be elected in office again, and if things continue like this untill 2026, to elect him will be difficult.”

Mr Njie also urged Barrow to look into the foreign exchange market to address some “illegal” activities causing the lack of growth of the country’s economy.

“There are so much illegal deals in the foreign exchange market. From the Central Bank to the foreign exchange bureaus down to the middle men. So, I want to urge President Adama Barrow to keep an eye on that area. Let him obstruct those loopholes,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba