Joe,

This is a really depressing news. I doubt if they actually sent a real
fact-finding group before making such grossly inaccurate statement about the
economic situations in Gambia.

However, we can do something about this Kasekende fellow. His contact info
at the World Bank is:

Louis A. Kasekende,
Tel: 202-458-2105
Fax: 202-522-1549
Email: [log in to unmask]

Let him hear what's on our mind.

Ousman



>From: Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: World Bank Oks Gambia for Country Assistance Strategy
>Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 17:24:37 +0000
>
>Culled from Allafrica.  Folks, these are some of the reasons why poor
>countries dislike and distrust these world financial institutions.  They
>are
>commending Yaya for: turning the economy around; tackling economic and
>social problems; preserving social reforms; creating a conducive
>environment
>for the private sector; reforming the economy and combating poverty.  The
>very things that are wrong and are not functioning in our country are the
>very things these fly by nights are congratulating Yaya for.  Even Yaya
>knows that his government performed poorly in all aspects of Gambian life
>and is trying to blame others for it.  How did these directors come to this
>conclusion and the praises they're heaping on Yaya?  These bodies have
>historically failed poor countries and encouraged corrupt governments.  In
>the case of Africa, 50 years after independence, they have padded all sorts
>of failures as successes.  Does the World Bank want to tell us that they
>are
>not aware of the massive corruption in the Gambia and other countries in
>Africa, among other things?  Things were bad pre 1994, but they are worst
>post 1994 and we are getting worse off as a people with every aspect of
>life
>adversely impacted.  This is a shame.  Please read on.
>
>
>World Bank Oks Gambia for Country Assistance Strategy
>
>The Daily Observer (Banjul)
>
>March 11, 2003
>Posted to the web March 11, 2003
>
>Banjul
>
>The World Bank has considered and endorsed The Gambia for its Country
>Assistance Strategy .A faxed message from the executive director, Africa
>Group One Constituency of the institution informed Finance secretary Famara
>Jatta that the decision was reached at the meeting of March 6, 2003 by the
>board of directors of the World Bank .
>
>"Most directors commended your Government for its sustained efforts in
>tackling the many economic and social problems facing the country. In
>particular, directors welcomed and commended the progress recorded in
>turning the economy around and persevering with social reforms", the
>message
>stated.According to the faxed message, the directors also applauded the
>Gambia Government's efforts to create a conducive atmosphere for private
>sector development and the strengthening of budget and domestic debt
>management. "Finally, let me congratulate you and your country for your
>sustained efforts to reform the economy and combat poverty", writes Louis
>Kasakende, executive director ,Africa Group One, World Bank.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


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