Dr. Jones:
I welcome your contribution to the L, but I
partially disagree with part of your economic
theory. While I disagree in principle, I want
to reiterate that you have a right to be
nonpolitical in your assertion of elements
for a sustainable increase in The Gambia's
per capita income.
It is also true that no two economists will
unilaterally agree in economic principle in
terms of fiscal and social parameters in
sustaining an economic growth. We are at a
point of conclusion that ideologies and lack
of sound political and economic policies are
culprits that are decaying The Gambia's
economic growth.
The reality of the situation is that dictator
yahya has nothing to say, and thus is saying a
lot about nothing. This dictator is consumed with
power and prestige and has violated the basic
principles and foundations of human dignity and
cares less about human rights. A dictator who
cannot lead a civilian government has constantly
agitated the basic foundations of democracy.
The Gambia of today suffers from chronic lack of
democracy, new ideas, new entrepreneurs, new
products, new services, good jobs, progressive
business sectors and life, liberty and pursuit of
happiness. In short, The Gambia is lacking
better mouse-traps.
The burst of entrepreneurship that so amplified
economic growth and political developments in
other developing countries should be encouraged
in The Gambia. For this to take place, Dictator
yahya must be driven out of The Gambia. The
culprit is not a dearth of new ideas, but far
more spurious and chronic shortcomings: a lack
of readily available working capital and the
ignorance of the military junta of The Gambia.
It is indeed unfortunate that The Gambia's
entrepreneurial zeal is been sapped by the
chronic malady of capital financing and
military dictatorship at the direction of dictator
yahya jammeh
Today's entrepreneurs in The Gambia should
realize that jobs, especially good jobs with
decent wages and opportunity for advancement and
growth are such precious commodities that
without them the entrepreneur sector is dead. As
such, there exists in The Gambia inadequate
operating capital in local, state and regional
economic development programs.
Our responsibility therefore, is to engage
economists in debates that are quantifiable and
understanding. We also advocate truth in
analysis and welcome critical reasoning in our
assertions.
Naphiyo,
Comrae ML Jassey-Conteh
------Original Message------
From: basil jones <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: April 26, 2001 10:26:20 AM GMT
Subject: Re: why I can support the APRC Government despite...Pt2.
The sooner people stop talking about the "Vision 2020" and concentrate on
the primordial challenge of reducing the incidence of poverty in The Gambia,
the better it is for the country. To make The Gambia a middle income country
by 2020, means that we should achieve a minimum per capita income of $800.
The current level of per capita income is around $350. With an average
growth rate of 4 percent per annum, it will take a minimum of 18 years for
our nation's income to double to $700. (this comes from the rule of 70 in
economics). 18 years from now will take us close to 2020. So even the lower
end of a middle income country will not be achieved. There is only one
middle income country in the whole of West Africa and surprisingly it is
Cape Verde, not Senegal or Cote d'Ivoire and these countries have a higher
per capita income that Gambia. Vision 2020 was articulated without any
empirical work done as to the sustainability of economic policies
and the attainability of making The Gambia a middle income country.
There is no doubt that the incidence of poverty is on the increase. What we
should be concentrating on is how to achieve the development goal of
reducing poverty in the Gambia by 50 percent by 2015, achieving universal
primary education, reducing infant mortality rates. To do so need at least a
growth rate of 7 percent. These are the challenges. For there to be
sustainable development in Gambia, accelerated investment is needed in
health and education and rural infrastructure. It is only fair to say that
the government has made some progress in these sectors. The payoffs, however
from such investments are long term. It takes up to the time a student
finishes school to contribute productively to the society. There are lessons
of experience we could learn from the most financially stable, democratic
and pluralistic countries in Africa (Botswana and Mauritius, the two
countries that have registered the most impressive growth and development
record in Africa). Economic development does not only depend on economic
policy. Improving the welfare of Gambians is predicated by improved
accountability for public resource management, developing democratic
institutions and an unblemished and good governance record and implementing
codes of good practice in fiscal transparency
The government has intervened in health and education, but still the level
of poverty is on the increase. We need to take stock and reappraise the
policy interventions. COllective action is need.
The challenge is not vision 2020 or to make The Gambia the Singapore of
Africa but integrating pro poor macroeconomic policies with social and
sectoral objectives to spur growth and reduce poverty.
Dr. Basil Jones
26/04/01
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