Poverty deepens despite combative programmes

Gambia’s Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy, on Wednesday said poverty in the country is getting worse despite a commendable increase in the number of children going to school, and greater availability of social services such as safe water and health services. Speaking to international delegates at a conference in the capital Banjul, Njie-Saidy said the government of the Gambia has developed a blueprint, Vision 2020, which seeks to address poverty in all its complex forms. Health services, she said, are now accessed by 95 of urban and 85% of rural populations, school enrolment has risen from 59 percent in 1990 to 71.1 percent this year, and 79% of households now access safe water. "Poverty eradication calls for new dynamism and commitment. Gambia places poverty reduction at the centre of national development," the vice-president said. The weeklong conference, which is examining the global fight against the twin problem of poverty and socio-economic exclusion, has attracted participation from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.