Last Thursday, President Yahya Jammeh issued an ultimatum, ordering butchers and people engaging in the selling of other basic commodities to reduce their prices and desist from dubious practices.

That call did not only come at a time when the cost of living is approaching record highs at the global level, but it also came during the Holy Month of Ramadan, a period when Muslims the world over strongly endeavor to come close to their Creator, the Almighty Allah. But current developments reveal that this ultimatum did not go down well with some people.

There are reports that some butchers are currently on 'a sit-down strike', apparently in defiance of the demands of wisdom. The move of these butchers, as the KMC mayor put it, is quite surprising, as it seriously betrays our ideals and the dictates of our religious beliefs.

This development reveals that while some groups of people are working hard for the general good, others, are busy focusing on championing individual interest. This is totally against the spirit of reinforced enthusiasm that has guided this nation for some time now. In fact, this development rekindles a long standing debate calling on Gambians to take up responsibilities in areas as crucial as this.

The urge to maintain a reasonable living for the ordinary Gambian surely is shared by everyone, and that is exactly the line taken by President Jammeh. That was in fact what warranted the ultimatum of the Gambian president.