Editorial

As we go midway into the 2010 fiscal year, more statistical data are emerging to show that the Gambia economy is steadily growing. First, it was the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that gave a thumbs-up to our economy, now our very own Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) is corroborating the IMF revelation, as the CBG governor, Bamba Saho last Friday told journalists at a press briefing that the Gambia economy is projected to expand by 5.0% in 2010.

Such a tangible disclosure by the CBG boss is indeed not surprising to those who are acquinted with the development trail of the country. We know that mid-2009 was an unpleasant one for the global economy, yet The Gambia stands out among the few countries that survived the economic depreciation. This was mainly due to the policies and programmes put in place by government, as wel as proliferation of small and micro businesses, and the steady expansion of investments in the country.

The revelation from the CBG governor alsomanifests clearly that the country is advancing greatly towards the achievement of the national development blueprint -the Vision 2020. If such a steady economic expansion is sustained, there is no doubt that there exists the potential for the country to continue attracting more investors, leading to the establishment firms and creation of employment. What is therefore important is for the people to realise that the current leadership is directing the affairs of this country towards a sustainable future.  The people should take ownership of the national development process so that collectively we can produce a better Gambia.