Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As The Gambia enters 2025, President Adama Barrow’s New Year’s address highlighted themes of unity, resilience, and national development. While his optimism is commendable and his government’s initiatives, such as pay increases for civil servants and pensioners, are welcome steps, they fall short of addressing the mounting pressures faced by ordinary Gambians. The escalating cost of living is a crisis that demands urgent and transformative action.

For many Gambians, daily survival has become a relentless struggle. Recent government policies have exacerbated the situation. Higher excise taxes on essentials like petroleum, telecommunications, and tobacco have led to soaring prices for transportation, energy, and mobile services.

Meanwhile, the push to tax rental properties, particularly those in the tourism sector, has driven up housing costs, leaving tenants in an even tighter financial squeeze.

Middle-class families, once a stabilizing force in Gambian society, are also feeling the strain. As children return to school in a few days and daily expenses climb, financial pressures have become overwhelming.

While wealthier families may have some ability to absorb these costs, the majority of Gambians are left questioning whether the sacrifices they make today will translate into meaningful improvements in their lives.

Public services, such as healthcare and education, remain underwhelming, eroding trust in the government’s ability to manage the country’s resources effectively.

The growing discontent among Gambians is palpable. High costs of basic commodities, rent, transport, and utilities are fueling frustration. The Gambian people, long known for their resilience, are reaching their breaking point.

History has shown that when governments ignore the plight of their citizens, the consequences can be severe. The fall of Yahya Jammeh and the challenges faced by leaders like Macky Sall in Senegal serve as potent reminders of the power of collective will.

President Barrow’s administration must act swiftly and decisively to address these concerns. Immediate steps should be taken to alleviate the financial burdens on ordinary citizens. Reducing taxes on essential goods, regulating rent hikes, and investing in affordable housing are critical first measures.

Beyond this, there must be a genuine effort to enhance public services. Gambians need to see tangible improvements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which would demonstrate that their sacrifices are yielding meaningful results.

Transparency and accountability are equally important. The government must ensure that public funds are managed effectively and that corruption is rooted out. Restoring trust in leadership requires a clear demonstration that the needs of the people are prioritized over political interests or personal gain.

President Barrow’s emphasis on resilience and collective effort is timely, but his administration must move beyond rhetoric to deliver tangible change.

The Gambian people deserve relief from the relentless pressures of daily life, and they need a government that is committed to improving their living conditions.

The year 2025 presents an opportunity to reset the nation’s trajectory. The time for action is now. If the government fails to address the cost-of-living crisis and deliver real improvements, it risks alienating the very people it is sworn to serve.

Bold, compassionate leadership is needed to guide The Gambia toward a more equitable and prosperous future.

Happy New Year from The Gambia Journal!