By Kemo Kanyi
Dr. Ousman Gagigo, a development economist turned politician, has attributed The Gambia’s persistent underdevelopment to what he described as a fundamental failure of leadership.
Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on Monday, Dr. Gagigo said his decision to venture into politics stems from his conviction that the country suffers from leadership that lacks competence, integrity, and adherence to moral and ethical standards.
“The fundamental problem The Gambia has is leadership,” he said. “We lack leadership that is competent and has integrity. These are things that are really lacking, and I believe that is something I can bring to the table.”
Dr. Gagigo, who leads the Patriotic Progressive Party (PPP), which is yet to be registered, stressed that his entry into politics is not driven by a lack of alternatives or a pursuit of wealth. He said he has had opportunities to amass material gains but chose not to do so.
He alleged that he was recently offered a government contract worth D30 million without a clear scope of work, an offer he said he rejected.
“Imagine if I had taken a contract to do a consultancy without a clear description of what the work is,” he said. “Could I then be criticizing the government on corruption?”
Dr. Gagigo argued that a government genuinely committed to fighting corruption should not allow senior officials to directly promise contracts to individuals, describing such practices as attempts to compromise or silence critics.
On the state of the economy, he noted that challenges cut across key sectors such as transportation, energy, agriculture, education and health. However, he emphasized that effective economic planning requires a clear understanding of the main drivers and foundations of the economy, as well as careful prioritization of sectors.
“What is more important is understanding what drives your economy and deciding which sectors to prioritize when planning,” he reiterated.
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By Kemo Kanyi Dr. Ousman Gagigo, a development economist turned politician, has attributed The Gambia’s persistent underdevelopment to what he…
The post Dr. Gagigo Links Gambia’s Underdevelopment to Leadership Failure appeared first on .
