Gambian consumers are complaining of the rise in food prices during the holy month of Ramadan.

Dozens of families are struggling to put food on the table due to rising food prices 

The cost of basic food commodities like rice, cooking oil and other ingredients have shot up to alarming rates.

Ebrima Tamba, a father of five who raised concern over the skyrocketing prices of food, shared with Gambiana how he struggled to put food on the table for his large family. 

“Before I used to give out D300 as my house allowance for food but now I am giving out D500 daily and I have five children who are all going to school. And I give each of them D25 as lunch on school days.”

“For now, the living cost is costly in the country and if the situation continues like this it will seriously damage the [morale of] people,” he added.

Mr Tamba called on the Barrow government to address the problems facing the nation as a matter of urgency. 

Mariama Keita, a housewife pleaded with the authorities to address the high food prices in the market.

“I do spend D300 on vegetables only on a daily basis,” she said, adding “And this is painful to us who must bring food on the table for the family.”

Mariama Camara, also a housewife, said: “I am calling on President Adama Barrow to reduce the prices of food because as a leader if you see something that is affecting your citizens you should take action to address it. People are suffering.

“I spend D400 daily on food for me, my husband and our six children which is so difficult.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba