'Gambia's rights record threat to economy - US', 4 Dec 2014: The deteriorating human rights situation in...The Gambia could hinder higher economic growth...the charge d’affaires at the United States Embassy in Banjul...George Staples said...Human rights are a signal of the transparency of the government and the predictability of the political climate on the ground. Investors need to know that they will be able to enforce contracts and that their transactions will be free from corruption. “It is a reality that a country’s human rights conditions and its state of governance have implications on trade and business opportunities, as well as foreign investment", the US diplomat said. He said a country’s international reputation has a very large bearing on the local business community, its employees and potential customers.