By Momodou Justice Darboe
Muslims in The Gambia today join the rest of the Muslim Ummah to observe a month of fasting. The month-long fasting widely referred to as Ramadan is a period of spiritual revival and rejuvenation, repentance, forgiveness and generosity of spirit among other virtues. However, it is also a period when prices of basic commodities in The Gambia shoot up and the man in the street is always at the receiving end of these price hikes.
Well The Fatu Network was at Serekunda market on Monday, one of the largest markets in The Gambia, to talk to vendors and buyers about their expectations as to the prices of essential goods vis-a-vis Ramadan.
Sally Jatta: Well, things seem to be going on normal as we speak but efforts need to be stepped up to ensure that the poor doesn’t suffer from unnecessary price hikes. All measures should, therefore, be in place to make sure businesspeople do not exploit the situation.
Musu Manneh: The prices remain the same. Though the commodities I sell here are within reach of the common man, I cannot say for certain whether the status quo will remain considering the market forces of demand and supply. We hope to sell at reasonable prices but the supply prices are the ultimate determinant factors in retail pricing. So we are hopeful that government will help in regulating prices for the benefit of the poor, especially during this month of fasting.
Binta Kah: The price of goods such as meat,sugar,rice, Irish potato,fish and carrot needs to be looked into. It is the average Gambian that suffers from all these market variables and its about time government looked into their plight[ the poor].
Fanta Bojang: We are vendors and we don’t determine prices. Prices are determined by suppliers. But our hopes and expectations are that prices will remain affordable to everyone even though this may sound a toll order.
Salieu Jah: I’m doing my utmost to ensure I sell meat to my customers at an affordable price. Prices of meat still remain affordable since the coming into office of President Adama Barrow two years or so ago. I am also ensuring that anyone that comes to my stall laughs away satisfied because they are able to get value for their money.
