UPDATE Gambian leader reveals plan for ailing economy

UPDATES WITH LAWMAKERS' VOTE TO REMOVE AGE LIMIT FROM PRESIDENCY

By Mustapha K Darboe

BANJUL, Gambia (AA) - Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, revealed a five-year development plan on Tuesday which is hoped will breathe new life into an economy grappling with public debt and income poverty.

The agenda, which focuses on good governance and human rights, was revealed to international partners at a donor meeting in the capital, Banjul.

“Our reform agenda ranges from constitutional, legal, economic and social aspects of governance… We are prioritizing media reforms,” Fatoumata Jallow, the Gambian vice president said.

Jallow said the government was committed to resuscitating the Gambian economy, something which influenced their decision to curtail government spending and reduce domestic borrowing to one percent of GDP.

Gambia currently struggles with a debt of about 120 percent on its $1 billion GDP.

The Barrow administration has cut government spending by more than half a billion dalasi ($10.9 million) though critics say it should be reduced further.

Attila Lajos, EU ambassador to Gambia, has promised to disburse €33 million ($38.5 million) to the West African country to deal with youth migration, by the end of this year.

Barrow took power from Yahya Jammeh last December. He has initiated an inquiry into the assets of the autocratic ruler who was accused of swindling Gambians of millions.

Meanwhile, Gambian lawmakers have unanimously voted to remove a controversial upper-age limit for the country’s presidency.

The former Gambian president had placed an age limit of 65 on the presidency, a move which disqualified most of his opponents from challenging a 2001 presidential election result.

The change has come as a relief to the Barrow administration whose chosen vice president -- Fatoumata Jallow -- is illegally occupying the position.

Jallow was appointed vice president after details about her age were leaked online, claiming she is really 68.

Barrow was compelled to change her position and make her the “VP-overseer” though Jallow continues to occupy the office and fulfil the functions of the vice president, as in Tuesday’s economic launch.