The President of the Republic of The Gambia His Excellency Adama Barrow on Thursday, 15th September 2022, delivers the constitutionally mandated State of the Nation Address (SONA) for the 2022 Legislative Year, at the National Assembly complex in Banjul.
During his address, the President gave an account of the developments, achievements and the challenges his government has undertaken in the 2021-2022 Legislative Year.
Below is a short excerpt from the President’s speech delivered
2.FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Honourable Speaker,
1. Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Gambian economy, growth rebounded to 4.5 percent in 2021. Although the growth remained below the pre-pandemic levels, it was still significant;however, the slowdown of business activities in 2020 and the third wave of the virus in July 2021 affected the economy’s recovery.
2. In 2022, the economy could have been well into recovery, with expectations of improved economic performance, increased grant inflows, and private remittances. Unfortunately, it took a different trend, as economies across the globe grapple with the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Consequently, in June, the Government projected a more modest growth of 3.6 percent for 2022.
3. Revenue collection for the first two months of 2022 declined by 14 percent, against the same period in 2021. Prompted by this development, the Government resolved to formulate robust policies that would set up buffers against shocks and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.
4. Notwithstanding the challenges, the fourth review of the Extended Credit Facility with the IMF was successfully completed in December 2021.
5. We remain committed to sound economic policy management, as detailed in the Medium Term Economic Fiscal Framework (2022-2026). The framework is to improve macro-fiscal stability.
6. With the support of the United Nations Development Programme, the initial stages of the formulation of a Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP: 2023-2027) and a Long-Term Development Vision (LTDV: 2050) have started.
The RF-NDP will succeed the National Development Plan (2018-2021), and the LTDV will succeed Vision 2020 for the country’s long-term development targets and transformation.
7. The Gambia was among 44 countries that presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals during the High-Level Political Forum held in New York in July 2022. The Reviews facilitate the sharing of experiences. Partners commended The Gambia for the inclusive and participatory nature of its VNR and the policies and strategies being implemented to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
8. The Gambia’s total debt service payment in 2021 was GMD5.01 billion. Of this, GMD 1.9 billionwas External Debt Service payment and GMD 3.1 billion was Domestic Debt Service payment.
9. The debt service payment increased by 11.1 percent from GMD 4.5 billion in 2020 to GMD 5 billion in 2021. There was no Debt Service Suspension Initiative receipt, compared to the preceding year.
10. As update on the Public Finance Management (PFM), the PFM Act is under revision to address the weaknesses. Once finalised, the Public Finance Regulations and Instructions will be revised.
11. Our Public Financial Management reforms include a Treasury Single Account to ensure better treasury management functions. Also initiated is a Public Financial Management Strategy (2021-2025) to address weaknesses in the financial management of Local Government Authorities and ensure effective use of the IFMIS.
12. To conclude, Cabinet has approved the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bill for tabling by this august Assembly. It speaks to the Revised National PPP Policy and operational guidelines.
3. FOREIGN AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND GAMBIANS ABROAD
Honourable Speaker,
1. During the last five years, the country’s diplomacy registered many successes, resulting in visits to The Gambia by various foreign dignitaries and scaling up of bilateral relations with different countries around the world.
2. Our partnerships at the multilateral level have generated support for many projects in diverse areas of development. Furthermore, the Foreign Service contributed significantly to mobilising support to complement the country’s COVID response when it mattered.
3. The international community recognises our commitment to dialogue and peace. No wonder the United Nations Secretary-General’s yearly report of the Peacebuilding Commission singled out The Gambia as a model for preventive diplomacy. Our commitment to building and sustaining peace continues to attract material and financial assistance from the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and other international partners.
4. We maintain fruitful strategic relations with ECOWAS Member States and actively engage and support mediation processes, under the auspices of the African Union and ECOWAS.
5. Within ECOWAS, The Gambia now holds the position of President of the ECOWAS Commission, with effect fromJune 2022.
6. For the first time in our history, The Gambia has a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term, effectivefrom January 2022.
At the level of the African Union, The Gambia also received overwhelming votes to sit on the Peace and Security Council.
7. Mr. Speaker, as of January 2022, remittances stood at US$777 million, representing about 40% of GDP. The plight and role of Gambians in the Diaspora in national development, therefore, remains high on my government’s agenda. We will continue to engage with them meaningfully and remain active in global discussions to address migration concerns.
8. Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reformulating its strategic plan, scheme of service and posting policy. Also underway is the drafting of a Foreign Service Bill and regulation to uphold excellence and efficiency within the sector.
