Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In a move to rein in government expenditures, the Office of the President of the Republic of The Gambia has issued an executive order temporarily suspending all foreign travel for government officials. The directive, effective immediately, aims to address the urgent need to control spending, allowing only statutory meetings and fully funded trips to proceed.

In an official memo dispatched on July 8, 2024, Alieu Njie, on behalf of the Chief of Staff, emphasized the importance of this measure. “This is a gentle reminder to all heads of government entities that, in recognizing the urgent need to control government expenditure, you are hereby reminded that the executive order aims to temporarily freeze all foreign travel,” the memo stated.

Officials are required to submit a detailed back-to-office report to the Secretary to the Cabinet following any statutory meeting. This step ensures accountability and transparency in the travel activities of government personnel.

The suspension underscores the current economic context, dictating fiscal prudence amidst economic challenges. Meanwhile, the memo also calls for the cooperation of all government entities to adhere strictly to the directive, highlighting the collective effort needed to manage and control government expenditures effectively.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, among other government offices, has acknowledged receipt of the memo, signaling readiness to comply with the new directive.

A week ago, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded that the Gambia’s fiscal deficit and public debt exceeded projections due to accelerated infrastructure project execution. The IMF also encouraged the Gambian authorities to build on recent progress and pursue further structural reforms, particularly in enhancing governance and improving the business environment, to foster a strong recovery and inclusive growth. These observations and recommendations were part of the first review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement for The Gambia on Tuesday.

As The Gambia navigates through this period of economic adjustment, the temporary travel suspension reflects the administration’s proactive stance in ensuring responsible governance and fiscal responsibility.