Families welcome Ramadan with mixed feelings

By Adama Makasuba

Muslim and some non-Muslim families in The Gambia have welcomed the holy month of Ramadan with a mixed feeling as they complaints of high cost of living amid coronavirus pandemic which has nearly grounded the world economics.

As Ramadan begins not only the Muslims but large number of people in the Gambia called on the government to take action in addressing what they called ‘unbearable living situation.’

“Before I used to give out D300 daily as allowance for food but now I am giving out D500, I have five children that are going to school. And I give each of them D25 as launch fee from Mondays to Fridays,” a young father told The Voice exclusively.

“For now, the living cost is becoming unbearable for me and if the situation continues like this it will cause a serious damage on people,” he added.

He therefore called on president Barrow-led administration to address the problems facing the nation with diligence.

Mariama Keita, a housewife also complained of the high cost of living in the country. She pleaded to the authorities to address food high price in the market.

“I spend D300 on vegetables alone on daily basis,” she said, adding “And this is painful to those of us that are to bring food on the table for the family.”

Mariama Camara, another housewife urged the government to reduce the cost on food price.

“I am calling President Adama Barrow to reduce the prices on food because as a leader if you see something that is affecting your citizens you should take action about it to address it. People are suffering,” she lamented..