It is a sovereign responsibility and requirement of economic diplomacy foresight for the country to map out a new paradigm shift in policies that will expand the economy into prosperity. The government has done well so far in pushing for infrastructure projects especially in roads that will certainly excite increased economic activities and social mobility. However, there are still missing gaps to be considered in this drive. What we need now is a NEW GAMBIA TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM the realization of which will be anchored on economic diplomacy foresight, economic intelligence and strong political will of the government. In view of the swollen urban population, it is expected that roads infrastructure and drainage developments will be concentrated in Urban Gambia. All roads in Kanifing East Layout should be constructed and linked to the OIC Highway. So far, from Serrekunda hospital to the highway has been completed and the rest of the roads are pending. The same felt needs are there in Kanifing North, FAJARA, and other places in KMC and parts of West Coast region. There is a big need for Solar street lights throughout Greater Banjul. Where the Municipality fails to execute these works, it will be to the credit of the Central government to do so as part of the National responsibility. It will enhance political dividends for the government in the next rounds of Local government elections. Moving on to the need for new policy directions towards the expansion of the economy, the Ministry of Transports and Infrastructure, the Gambia Tourism Board, the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs cannot be extricated from the further expansion of the economy as major stakeholders. These institutions should consider it fit as collective endeavour to revitalize the long overdue river transport, coastal development of the tourism corridor (CORNICE) from Cape Point to Sheraton Hotel, the rebuilding of the remains of Kunta Kinteh Island, the rehabilitation of Fort Bullen, Janjanbureh Fort, bringing back to live the elephant island, baboon island, Abuko Nature Reserve and other tourist sites and ecolodges, a bridge connection from Aljamdu in Niumi to Bonto less than three kilometer, GCCI Trade Fair low cost housing scheme, toll system across all bridges in the country, construction of a second Denton bridge linking Kombo and Banjul, alternative bridge from Bond road to Lamin as a security and commercial route, expansion and modernization of Banjul international airport to cater for wide body aircrafts, construction of a standard size stadium in all regions, agriculture production based on crop diversifications, foreign direct investments in agriculture with greater incentives and concessions. provision of electricity polls from Sanyang town to Sanyang beach highway to attract commercial activities along the route, reconstruction of all river wharves built through the Kuwait Fund to enhance ports handling when river transportation begins operations, construction of an Amphitheatre (like SORANO in Dakar) for cultural performances and cultural training to artists and musicians, Solar street lights in all major provincial towns such as in Farafenni, Soma, Bansang, Basse, Brikama, etc., private sector players and property development teams to be encouraged to build three star and four star hotels in major towns across the country, provision of low cost housing schemes in all regions in the country, walk over bridges on the OIC Highway, additional highway construction from Brusubi to Tanji to Gunjur/Kartong, reestablishment of Gambia Airways with flying rights to London, Brazil and West Africa region, GCAA negotiation delegation to the U.S.A, Ethiopia, Dubai, to canvas Delta airlines, Ethiopia airlines, Emirates airlines to drop and pick up travelling passengers from Banjul International Airport, the face lift of Maccarthy Square to a functioning stadium outlook, etc. All these projects can be undertaken through Public Private Partnerships, Donor support, Bilateral Assistance and Government undertakings and funding through the Saudi Fund, Kuwaiti Fund, ADB, BADEA, IDB, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP and other sources. These additional project interventions will completely transform The Gambia into an economically prosperous and enviable nation. It takes economic diplomacy foresight and high negotiation skills and strong political will to move the country in new policy directions in economic expansion possibilities. The country is endowed with the expertise, professional and experienced pool to make this huge transformation in development possible. The government can charge the institutions mentioned including Lands Ministry, Foreign Ministry with a timeframe for the implementation of a New Gambia Transformation Program that will take on board the intervention areas mentioned herein.
