Africa-Press – Gambia. In the Banjul metropolitan area, many Gambian women are worried about the rising price of fish, a staple food in many households.
In a recent interview at Latrikunda market, the women expressed their frustrations and urged the government to look into the issue and find solutions to make fish more affordable.
Ms. Isatou Badjie, a Bundung resident, shared her concerns at Latrikunda Market, where she lamented the difficulty women face in purchasing quality fish. “Every woman wants to buy good produce and fish to prepare meals for her family, but with the skyrocketing prices, it is becoming impossible,” she said. Badjie noted that a decent portion of fish now costs over D400. “If you only have D500 for fish, how can you support your family?” She urged the government to take immediate steps to control prices as the situation continues to worsen.
Ms Ya Ellen Manga, a fish vendor for five years, shared her struggles with the rising fish prices. According to her, in the past, a basket of fish would fetch much lower prices, but things have changed drastically. “Today, buying a single basket of fish costs more than D8,000 or more,” she said.
When she tries to sell the fish, customers often complain about the price and prefer to go to another seller. “It is difficult for us because sometimes we do not make enough sales,” Ms. Manga added, noting that unsold fish often have to be kept in ice and if not sold quickly, they risk spoiling, leading to financial losses. She urged the government to find an immediate solution to the problem.
Mrs. Fatou Sarr, a resident of Latrikunda Sabiji, expressed surprise at the sharp rise in fish prices across the country. She explained that while managing limited resources is possible for small households, it becomes a real challenge for large families.
Ms. Sarr spoke about her experience. She said she often feels overwhelmed when she goes to the market. “Sometimes, after buying fish, I barely have enough left to buy other essentials like vegetables and cooking oil,” she revealed. “I try to add up all my expenses, and even though I know I haven’t been overcharged, it’s disheartening. The rich may not feel the impact, but what we experience on a daily basis is something only God truly understands.”
She urged the government to step in and take steps to ease the burden on families like hers.
Ms. Amie Touray, a fish buyer in Fajikunda, expressed concerns about the current fish market. She observed that the only fish available at an affordable price is imported, but she often avoids it due to its lack of flavor. According to Ms. Touray, the high cost of local fish is due to the predominance of Senegalese vendors in the markets. “When you go to the beach, you mostly see young Senegalese working and earning money, while young Gambians are rarely present,” she noted. Ms. Touray believes that the vendors are focused on profits, often disregarding the financial constraints of the customers. She urged young Gambians to take interest in these jobs, stressing that not everyone is cut out for office work.
Ms. Jatou Jobe, a fish seller, asked the Ministry of Fisheries to help her set up a cold room in the local market. She expressed frustration at the slow pace of business and the high cost of buying ice blocks daily, given the limited sales.
The Point daily
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