Issues

The Gambian economy has undergone a major turnaround since 2017, with the introduction of sound and robust fiscal policies. The NPP believes that the economic strength of The Gambia is based on our strengths and knowledge as Gambians, our openness and collaboration with the international community and all stakeholders, including the private sector. Following the restoration of a steady, peaceful and democratic environment, the macro-economic policy reforms undertaken with the support of key allies, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union, The Gambia registered major improvements on businesses.

This has led to continuous business activities and inflow of investment into the country. Although the credit for these achievements is collectively shared, under the leadership of H.E. President Adama Barrow, the economy has registered notable growth. There are many options and possible initiatives to employ much more prudent strategies and interventions to fast-track inclusive economic development and growth, business continuity plans and sustained citizen mobilization towards the goal of being self-reliant as a nation.

Building on Key Achievements
Over the last few years, under the leadership of the NPP flag-bearer, the country has realized numerous laudable achievements. The close working relationship established among Gambians and the external support provided to implement our National Development Plan (2018-2021) has led to a sustained and impressive economic growth, with GDP at its highest margin ever. The key sectors or programmes that have registered significant increases, and in some instances more than doubling their initial output levels, are:
Agriculture;

1. Energy – Access to electricity;
2. Trade, Industry and Industrial production;
3. Tourism;
4. Initiating and/or completion of large-scale development projects, such as the OIC Convention Centre, Five-Star Hotels, OMVG Electrification Project, etc.; and,
5. Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Development.

The NPP will build on these achievements, and will certainly register greater progress based on the key development pillars and quality targets and benchmarks set to ensure a robust economy.

The welfare of Gambians has been improved significantly during the past three years. Because of the strong support of willing Gambian nationals and external partners, and the implementation of strategic policy measures set in motion, the living standards and welfare of the Gambian citizenry have undoubtedly improved tremendously. Noting that this achievement has been recorded under the leadership of President Adama Barrow, the NPP will build upon this as a foundation to enhance economic growth opportunities for a much stronger and more economically viable Gambia. The targets set will seek to raise the national index figures on both our social and economic performance levels. The ultimate objective is to attain respectably high living standards in a knowledge-based and secure society.

In view of the importance of the environment, the NPP proposes to:

1. Strengthen the agency, and their affiliates, responsible for disaster management and recovery, as well as hazardous waste and pollution control;
2. Develop or renew efforts, through the agency, to strengthen policies and ensure proper forest management with a caveat to sustainable exploitation;
3. Ensure full environmental impact assessment with major stakeholders, including local communities where issuance of license is required for operations that generate environmental waste impact on communities; and,
4. Protect communities that remain under threat of environmental exploitation due to bad business practices.

The NPP Government will encourage and support improved agricultural productivity and livestock production. Agricultural policies will seek to propel production and productivity. As an NPP Government, we plan to unfold and implement a massive mechanisation plan. Farmers require more support, and we guarantee that this will be executed. We will explore interventions that include:

1. Heavy investment in the private sector to increase the surface of consolidated irrigated land, with technological enhancement to the ideals of mechanization;
2. Working with the private sector and all other interest groups to build storage facilities across the country for both local and industrial farmers to add value to agricultural products;
3. Employing techniques to recover abandoned land, and prepare it for agricultural use;
4. Production of high-value agricultural crops, and such products may include, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables and flowers;
5. Ensuring that farmers are given the necessary tools for major grocers to have direct access to market their products;
6. Introduction of programmes in the Agriculture sector to attract interest; and,
7. Training to professionalize the process of vesting and owning land to yield quality products.

The NPP will undertake a divestiture policy by restructuring the telecommunication sector in a bid to expanding services and scaling up efficiency and productivity. Through partnerships, cooperation and collaboration, regionally and globally, an NPP Government will expand bandwidth and Internet coverage for Gambians, use of Information, Communication and Telecommunication technology, as well as infrastructure development. The national broadcaster will be enhanced further to measure up to international standards and, simultaneously, increase world-wide access and coverage through digital technology.

Sadly, it was these youths who were exploited in the past to toil on farms and sing the praises of political manipulators without reaping the benefits of their sweat.

An NPP Government will strengthen and support the newly established Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs with the objective of promoting the rights of women and children in The Gambia. Youths in the country will continue to be empowered to enable them contribute maximally to national development.

THE YOUTH

The Gambia’s demographic picture is advantageously typified by a youthful population, comprising over 64% of the entire population. While a good percentage of this youthful group are in school, a formidable number of the rest are out of school. The officially declared 38% unemployment rate affects most of these out-of-school youths. Statistics show that many of those unemployed youths have neither been trained to acquire functional skills nor have they attained educational levels that can earn them good jobs or open good employment opportunities for them.

The NPP leadership has come to discover the causes of the illegal journeys such youths undertake only to lose their invaluable lives at the expense and to the loss of their families, friends and the Gambian nation. Although a Ministry for Youth affairs has existed for several decades, not much has it done to competently address the youth predicament.

The NPP believes that, contrary to misconceptions on the needs of the youth, they should not be associated with sport and recreation only, and they should not be enticed to while away time for exploitation purposes. We believe that very searching and in-depth studies should be conducted, continual dialogue held and meaningful involvement of the youth in discussions and decision making on youth matters intensified as part of the strategies to address the dilemma of youth unemployment, crime, illegal migration, drug abuse and all the misfortunes associated with this invaluable resource of the nation.

Other strategies linked to education, training, empowerment, job creation and active civic participation in national development are discussed in other parts of this manifesto. We maintain very strongly that it is most pressing to pay attention to the youth, and ensure that their lives and their potentials are not dissipated in any way. To achieve our objectives, we invite the youth of this country to rally behind the NPP, and work with the Party leadership in the interest of all Gambians. We are natural allies!
Constituent

The Gambia’s demographic picture is advantageously typified by a youthful population, comprising over 64% of the entire population. While a good percentage of this youthful group are in school, a formidable number of the rest are out of school. The officially declared 38% unemployment rate affects most of these out-of-school youths. Statistics show that many of those unemployed youths have neither been trained to acquire functional skills nor have they attained educational levels that can earn them good jobs or open good employment opportunities for them. Sadly, it was these youths who were exploited in the past to toil on farms and sing the praises of political manipulators without reaping the benefits of their sweat.

The NPP leadership has come to discover the causes of the illegal journeys such youths undertake only to lose their invaluable lives at the expense and to the loss of their families, friends and the Gambian nation. Although a Ministry for Youth affairs has existed for several decades, not much has it done to competently address the youth predicament. The NPP believes that, contrary to misconceptions on the needs of the youth, they should not be associated with sport and recreation only, and they should not be enticed to while away time for exploitation purposes. We believe that very searching and in-depth studies should be conducted, continual dialogue held and meaningful involvement of the youth in discussions and decision making on youth matters intensified as part of the strategies to address the dilemma of youth unemployment, crime, illegal migration, drug abuse and all the misfortunes associated with this invaluable resource of the nation.
Other strategies linked to education, training, empowerment, job creation and active civic participation in national development are discussed in other parts of this manifesto. We maintain very strongly that it is most pressing to pay attention to the youth, and ensure that their lives and their potentials are not dissipated in any way. To achieve our objectives, we invite the youth of this country to rally behind the NPP, and work with the Party leadership in the interest of all Gambians. We are natural allies!

The women of The Gambia are part of the political and economic vanguard of the nation. They constitute a bigger percentage of the Gambian population than the male constituency, and contribute very significantly towards nation building. Thus, the NPP finds it difficult to come to terms with their unacceptable plight, which has lingered on for far too long. Paradoxically, in spite their prominence in national development, in general terms, the women occupy disadvantaged positions in Gambian society.

Their literacy levels, leadership roles, participation in decision making and economic circumstances fall far below par, in comparative terms with their male counterparts.

The NPP acknowledges and appreciates the unrivalled involvement of women in gardening, in various strands of farming, business, home management, politics, and their increasing role in public life. The unavailability of technology, particularly for those in the rural area, to help them discharge their duties makes it very urgent to alleviate their suffering and augment their social and economic status. In view of all these, and much more, the NPP will prioritize taking the necessary policy decisions, complemented by the economic, technological and moral support needed to meet this objective. Women and men are equals, partners, collaborators and the backbone of the National People’s Party, in particular, and the nation, in general.

The NPP recognizes and appreciates the Tourism sector as a major contributor to The Gambia’s economy and our national development. It is a sector that deserves much more support and attention to enable it expand optimally. Mindful of all these, our Party will encourage an all-year tourism season wherein Eco-tourism is given a new impetus in an effort to enriching the Gambia’s Brand (The Smiling Coast of Africa) and, subsequently, turning the country into an international destination.

An NPP Government will revitalize river transport in The Gambia, and use it as a means of revenue creation and support to the tourism and hospitality sector. The capacity of the transport services sector will be enhanced and open for both public and private participation. More roads and bridges will be built and/or upgraded to facilitate movement within and outside the country. In general, the policy orientation on transport services and relevant infrastructure development will be continually reviewed, revised and augmented to adequately address the perennial challenges and emerging factors that impact on the sector.

Certainly, The Gambia deserves higher governance standards and attainment than Gambians have experienced over the past two decades or more. As a result of declining governance standards, public services either do not reach the ordinary people, or are too slow to reach them, particularly in the rural area. Long lines are common in most public institutions, including hospitals and clinics, where vulnerable people are at the mercy of de-motivated staff. This is not only a problem of poor motivation, but also a result of technical challenges; for example, unavailability of medicines and expiry of supplies is often a result of poor distribution systems.

Further, poor motivation of personnel is also true for the security forces, whose professionalism was for far too long marred by the undue influence of the Office of the President and the Intelligence Services – formerly, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The electoral system will be reviewed to promote broader representation (particularly of women, the youth and people living with disabilities). In addition, it is crucial to take all necessary steps to cultivate an environment of fair and credible elections. This requires:

1. Instituting an accountable, transparent and ethical system of governance through a regime of declaration of assets by public officials;
2. Abrogating all laws on media censorship, and facilitating free access to information; and,
3. Establishment of an electoral tribunal.

Aside from these, we deem it necessary to:

1. Introduce political funding in accordance with international best practice. Private contributions should be made subject to full declaration to an appropriate authority and to the Gambian public in order to ensure transparency and accountability;
2. Strengthen parliamentary oversight committees to ensure transparency, political neutrality and accountability of security organs;

Having reviewed the political situation and trends in the country, the NPP has proposals to put forward for implementation. In spite of the proposals, we believe in the supremacy of the Republican Constitution as the main national legal framework and source of law within the jurisdiction of The Gambia as a sovereign state.

The NPP proposals pertaining to the National Assembly or Parliament and the Electoral Commission include:

1. Fixed-Term Parliaments: First, we propose that the term for Parliament between elections be fixed;
2. Independent Election Commission: Second, we propose that the Independent Election Commission in charge of organising Presidential and Parliamentary elections be appointed by the Chief Justice and report directly to him/her. Commission members must not officially belong to any political party.
3. Independent Electoral Tribunal: Third, we propose that an Independent Electoral Tribunal be set up to endorse and validate all election results compiled and submitted by the Independent Electoral Commission for all national Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections conducted in the country.

The NPP believes, and upholds the view, that our legal and judicial system should be independent, efficient, trustworthy and balanced to ensure due legal processes and procedures, safeguard the interests of stakeholders and accountability for appropriate action. Therefore, we suggest a continual examination of our Judicial and Justice systems to fix cracks and bottlenecks where appropriate.

1. Entrenched Judicial Independence: We believe that the independence of the judicial system should be entrenched to ensure that Magistrates and Judges act without fear or favour and with the widest discretion possible.
2. Strengthened Criminal Justice System: We consider it necessary to strengthen trust in our Criminal Justice System by adopting due legal processes to balance crime perpetration and control as the focus of the system.

The NPP holds the view that the quality of a people and their rate of development and advancement are dialectically linked to the level and quality of their education, which is reflected in their education system and how it is managed. In this respect, we reject the exclusive commercialisation of education, and maintain that public educational institutions should provide free educational services.

We submit that education must not be perceived as a commodity to be provided solely for employment purposes or financial gain. On the contrary, education is as crucial for all the good that it accrues as it is for its inherent value.

Therefore, all Gambian citizens should be educated for empowerment: empowerment for every conceivable purpose; but, most especially, for self-liberation or emancipation from all forms of mental, psychological or intellectual domination or oppression.

At the Tertiary and Higher Education Level, we will:

1. Significantly increase the stock of doctors, scientists, managers, entrepreneurs, health-practitioners, engineers, artisans, accountants and ICT experts through a coordinated system of streaming students;
2. Substantially enhance the tertiary level intake to double the current admission levels within five years by augmenting the scholarship regime or packages for local technical, management and ICT colleges;
3. Position The Gambia as a continental centre of excellence in education and educational services to attract international students to the country for purposes of learning;
4. Establish The Gambia as a centre of excellence for research, with our local universities, private sector and Government collaborating in highly coordinated initiatives, including a Comprehensive Research and Development Programme;
5. Broaden access to tertiary education to rural and under-served youth;
6. Encourage workers in the private and public sectors to enhance their skills through new initiatives for Lifelong learning;
7. Ensure every student graduate from our system is self-confident and skilled in, at least, one functional area within the nation’s selected priority sectors;

High-stakes testing should be dropped, and focus shifted to achieving excellence in innovation and inculcating strong values and love for life-long learning. Schools should broaden the imaginations or horizons of students in terms of career aspirations and educational pathways, and should endeavour to guide them to realize their dreams.

Minding the School Quality Gap

Resources should be allocated to support many educational pathways that are equally viable and valued. Teaching resources should be equitably allocated to narrow the quality gap between schools and create equal opportunities for all.

Long-term Innovation Performance

We propose that more emphasis be placed on designing a well-paced curriculum that facilitates critical thinking and stimulates innovation and deeper exploration of the humanities so as to achieve sustained excellence in the long term. This new curriculum should be accompanied by adjustments in pedagogy. The Ministries of Education should also monitor and track students to find out if they demonstrate similar levels of achievement when they progress to the tertiary and higher education level or move into the world of work. The goal is for students to maximise their individual potential to excel during and after formal education. Tracking the progress of students should inform policy and programmatic interventions on curriculum and pedagogy.

The statement, “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” is globally accepted as a truth. The NPP believes that health is wealth, and that without health, wealth loses its prominence. As a Government, we plan to increase investments into the health sector, and make healthcare more affordable to all. To maintain a healthy population, the incidence of disease will be tackled through vigorous preventative measures, timely medical attention, construction of ultramodern hospitals and provision of up-to-date equipment and adequate medical supplies. More attention will be focused on mothers and children, and support will be provided to help seniors stay active and engaged. In this regard, we plan to increase health care spending, and build more general hospitals, community hospitals and day-care centres. In summary, we plan to:

1. Substantially increase health care spending;
2. Build more general hospitals, community hospitals and day-care centres; and,
3. Provide greater retirement assurance through better pension schemes to help seniors stay active and engaged.
4. Continually review health policies and plans to update as required.

An NPP Government will do all these because we care for you, and we are determined to improve the lives of all Gambians.