Dr. Ousman Gajigo, a prominent Gambian development economist and opposition figure associated with the Gambia for All party, has sharply criticized the government’s proposed allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, calling it a glaring example of misplaced priorities amid widespread economic hardship.
In a recent interview on West Coast Radio, Dr. Gajigo condemned the ministry’s recurrent expenditure, which surpasses D2 billion (approximately US$28 million based on current exchange rates), arguing that such a substantial sum yields little tangible benefit for ordinary Gambians struggling with rising living costs.
“The allocation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is excessive and unjustifiable,” Dr. Gajigo stated. “These funds could be far better directed toward addressing domestic priorities like healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable households, rather than inflated recurrent costs in diplomacy that deliver minimal returns to the public.”
The economist, known for his outspoken analyses of fiscal policy and governance issues, suggested the ministry’s core diplomatic and consular functions could be maintained effectively with significantly reduced funding. He framed the budget line as symptomatic of broader government tendencies toward misallocation, where resources favor administrative overhead over urgent citizen needs.
Dr. Gajigo’s remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny over The Gambia’s 2026 national budget proposals, with opposition voices increasingly highlighting perceived inefficiencies and a failure to tackle inflation, unemployment, and cost-of-living pressures. As a senior member of the opposition Gambia for All party, his comments underscore ongoing calls for fiscal discipline and re-prioritization ahead of future political contests.
Government officials have not yet publicly responded to Dr. Gajigo’s specific critique of the foreign ministry allocation.
