What has The Gambia come to? It’s coming to more than a year now since commodities prices started to skyrocket in the Gambian markets, and little to nothing has been done by the authourities in addressing the economic crisis facing locals.

Essential commodities like rice, sugar, cooking oil are among the staple foods Gambians consume greatly, but the prices of  these goods have constantly been on the rise. 

And the situation worries hundreds of thousands of Gambians and non-Gambians alike as it is making life unbearable.

“Before I used to give out D300 as my house allowance for food but now I am giving out D500 daily. And I give each of my five children D25 lunch money on school days,” Ebrima Tamba, a father of five told me.

“Living is costly now than before and if it continues like this, it will be damaging on people’s lives,” he said.

Mariama Keita, a house wife who I spoke with, called on the authorities to lend a helping hand and address the issue of high cost of living.  

But what looks clear is that people will have to bear the brunt of the situation for a while as the government seems yet to take convincing approach in solving the price hike.

Earlier the Trade ministry linked the high price on goods to the coronavirus pandemic that has nearly grounded the world economy to standstill, leaving millions of people jobless and businesses crumbling.

“I can assure the general public of Government’s commitment to improve the welfare of Gambians especially during this pandemic,” Minister of Trade Seedy Keita told reporters last week in Banjul.

He promised the government’s commitment to “doing everything legally possible within its powers and means to ensure that essential commodities are accessible and affordable”.

But what remain of concern to the public is how soon will commodities prices particularly food price be brought down?

By Adama Makasuba