The mouthpieces of government should not remain mute over these concerns. There should be information and communication strategies to address the revelations of alleged bad governance and mismanagement of national resources, which put the country in a very bad light. As the internet continues to be filled with negative reporting about The Gambia, investors, donors and visitors are obviously scared away from the country.
This is a serious situation for which we expect proactive steps to be taken by government to cushion the effects of tarnishing the national image of The Gambia.
Mr President, as a developing economy that relies heavily on donor support, investment inflows, tourist arrivals and so forth, we cannot afford a carefree approach to such national concern, especially on the massive revelations under our watch. Whatever is in their national interests we see other powers and countries invoke their channels of information and communication to very well address and articulate what they want the world to know about their respective countries. But in Africa and including The Gambia, we are quick to wash our dirty linen in public and slow to set the record straight.
Mr President, there is no more secret in the country with all kinds of leakages coming out of government to discredit governance of the country. To be reflective of these concerns is both a governance imperative and a safeguard against the day of reckoning.
Finally, Mr President, strict measures should be put in place to combat corruption and mismanagement of public funds. Last month, at the National Assembly, the Vice President pointed out some government institutions that have been found wanting for financial malpractices by the National Audit Office and the Finance and Public Account Committee (FPAC), who are doing a good job. And the IGP is expected to invite the alleged culprits to hear their versions.
Government, we must say, should take appropriate measures to deal with those squandering public funds and ensure they return whatever they have embezzled.
Good day!