The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, on March 21, 2019, validated its third strategic plan, 2019-2021. The Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is expected to inform the work of the Commission with specific focus on enforcement and the mainstreaming of consumer protection and competition issues into national policies and programs.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Amadou Ceesay said the 2019-2021 Strategic Plan is a logical succession to the preceding strategic plan 2016-2018, which also covered a three-year time span. He stressed the importance of key stakeholders in the implementation of the plan.
“We believe in engagement and inclusiveness and we want the plan to reflect the view of all stakeholders,” Ceesay said.
The Chairperson of the Commission, Janet Sallah Njie said the strategic focus of the period is enforcement for impact.
“It is a framework through which we shall apply our resources and strengths to exploit the available opportunities and confront any threats that may face us towards achieving our mandate,” Njie stated.
Baboucarr Ceesay, Principal Economist delivered a presentation of the document which was divided into five components:
- Enforcement and promotion of the Competition Act 2007.
- Administration and promotion of the Consumer Protection Act 2014
- Advocacy and awareness creation and Empowerment
- Mobilization and optimal Utilization of resources.
- Infrastructure and human capital development.
Representatives from various institutions held group discussions and made the following recommendations:
- The Commission to decentralise and increase visibility through advocacy and the establishment of Consumer Protection tribunals in other regions.
- It is also recommended for the Commission to select committee from Ministry of Trade and Public Enterprise Committee (PEC). This could help the Commission to build firm relationship with them, thereby resulting in the achievement of its needs.
- Establishment of a platform on social media will play a vital role in minimizing the costs incurred on advocacy programs.
- Toll free numbers should be provided for consumers to lodge complaints and make enquiries.
- The Commission should lobby for increase budget allocation.
- The amendment of the Consumer Protection Act 2014 to enable legal representation of consumers in court.
- The expansion of the Consumer Protection Tribunals in other regions.
- Travelling or rotating consumer panellist must be considered by the Commission to ease the filing of consumer complaints in other regions.
- Consumer groups should be regularly engaged in advocacy programs to facilitate coordination and networking.
- More sensitization, education and advocacy programs in our local languages.
The day concluded with the validation of the Strategic Plan.