THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA the ensuing protest against the mining activity, members of the Para Military clashed with villagers of Faraba Banta in the West Coast Region of The Gambia leading to the death of three persons. In response, the State has set up a Commission of Inquiry to probe into the circumstances surrounding the grant of the license and leading to the deaths. ARTICLE 22 RIGHT TO ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Economic development is recognised as a directive state policy in Chapter XX of the Constitution. The Government has taken the following measures to promote economic growth, reduce poverty and improve on the social welfare of Gambians. These includePoverty Eradication The Government has formulated a number of policies and strategies such as Vision 2020, and the Development Strategy and Investment Programme 2012 to 2015, called the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE), which is the successor to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme II (PRSP II). Currently, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2021 serves as Government’s blueprint for national development. The National Development Plan outlines the following eight strategic: i. Restoring good governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law and empowering citizens through decentralization and local governance; ii. Stabilizing the economy, stimulating growth, and transforming the economy; iii. Modernizing agriculture and fisheries for sustained economic growth, food and nutritional security and poverty reduction; iv. Investing in people through improved education and health services, and building a caring society; v. Building infrastructure and restoring energy services to power the economy; vi. Promoting an inclusive and culture-centred tourism for sustainable growth; vii. Reaping the demographic dividend through an empowered youth; and viii. Making the private sector the engine of growth, transformation, and job creation. 110

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