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By: Modou Touray  Mr Essa Dampha, the outspoken aide on media for President Adama Barrow, asserted that the President has the prospects of winning the 2026 election with a landslide. He justified his argument on the basis that the President has achieved monumental gains in terms of delivery adequately responding to the plights of the Gambian People. “Electricity is accessible to remote communities, health Centres, and Posts, and ambulances were distributed across the length and breadth of the country. He wants to decentralize development. There is a road network extension in the country; everybody can attest to that. Farmers were given Fertiliser and equipment. I will give him 85 % in terms of development rating for 2024.” he said  Mr. Dampha further elaborated on the successful hosting of the OIC Summit in the Gambia as well as the availing of a conclusive environment for private businesses and development initiatives to flourish. “Hamidou Jah is producing Gambian-grown rice ...

Alagie Ndow, the founder and CEO of Inspiring Young Stars (IYS) has recently concluded a transformative three-week professional development program at the University of West of England (UWE), Bristol. As the Manager of Programs and ICT at Daughters of Africa.  Alagie’s mission has always been to empower youth, through education promote women’s leadership, and drive sustainable community development. His journey at UWE has marked a significant milestone in his professional and personal growth, equipping him with invaluable tools to enhance his impact in The Gambia and beyond. A Transformative Learning Experience Under the guidance of Clay Johnson, a leading expert in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and technology integration, Alagie participated in workshops focused on digital innovation, AI-driven solutions, and project management. This immersive training emphasized practical applications of technology to address organizational challenges and foster community development. “This...

The National Nutrition Agency (NANA) in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) have recently concluded two day capacity building training for media personnel on basic nutrition, food fortification and bio fortification In Foni, Bwaim. The training was meant to equipped media personnel with the requisite knowledge to inform the masses on micronutrient deficiencies and strategies to employ in addressing it. Sally Jarju, President Health Journalists Association thanked NANA for their unflinching support to the Association, saying the training will enable AoHJ to fulfill its mission of promoting accurate health journalism through invaluable assistance in areas such as training, funding, and resource provision. She said the training w ill equip health journalists to “effectively report on a wide range of nutrition-related topics, from malnutrition to healthy diets, thereby contributing to improved public health outcomes.” she said. She added: “I encourage you all to give great atte...

West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Sunday approved the creation of a special tribunal to try crimes committed in Gambia during the military dictatorship. The historic decision was announced at a summit of regional heads of state held in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. The tribunal will cover alleged crimes committed under military dictator Yahya Jammeh, whose rule from 1996 to 2017 was marked by arbitrary detentions, sexual abuse and extrajudicial killings. Jammeh lost the presidential election in 2016 and went into exile in Equatorial Guinea a year later after initially refusing to step down. Calls for justice for victims of the dictatorship have been growing for years in Gambia, a country surrounded by Senegal except for a small Atlantic coastline. In 2021, a truth commission concluded its hearings with strong recommendations, urging the government to try the perpetrators. In May, Jammeh’s former interior minister was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Swiss court for these crimes ...

  The Gambia Press Union (GPU) in partnership with the International Idea through the support from the European Union (EU) on Tuesday concluded a two day comprehensive training for Press Editors' and Journalists on conflict sensitive media coverage of the Implementation of The Government's White Paper on the TRRC Recommendations. The event held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Kerr Serign, brought together media editors' and journalists to acquire requisite knowledge on the implementation reports of the TRRC Recommendations.  Jainaba Faye, Head Of Country Office, International Idea highlighted the significance of the training, whils urging journalists to treat victims with dignity, respect and compassion when reporting on conflict sensitive reporting. “It is important to note that every story you report has a human face behind it.  This is especially true when it comes to victims of crime or human rights abuses.  Victim and conflict ...

 The Gambia Press Union (GPU) in partnership with the International Federation Of Journalists (IFJ) and support from the European Union (EU) on Thursday 28, November 2024 trained community radio journalists from various media houses. The event was held at the Wallymann Hotel, North Bank Region. The two day capacity building training was aimed at equipping journalists with comprehensive knowledge on migration trends, and its impacts across communities. Sainey Dibba, Manager Farafenni community radio highlighted the significance of the training for Journalists in the North Bank. He further commended the Gambia Press Union for initiating the training. Isatou Keita, the Vice President of the Gambia Press Union equally spoke on the importance of the training. She urged the participants to utilize the knowledge gained from the training. Papa Tunkara, Chairman Kerewan Area Council (KAC). said migration is not only a local or regional problem but an international phenomenon with overwhelmi...

The Judiciary of The Gambia in partnership with the American Bar Association has on Monday kick-off a two day capacity building Ethics training for Notaries Public, Commissioners for Oats and Justice of Peace. The event was held at the Bakadaji Hotel, Kololi. The Chairperson of the association, Amadou Touray, went down memory lane to catalogued the significant strides registered by the association since its inception. Abdou Conteh, of the Judicial Secretary highlighted the significance of the training, and further urged the participants to utilize the knowledge gain from the training.  The event aims to enhance the ethical standards and practices within these professions.  On behalf of the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Omar MM Njie said the training serves as an integral part of the Judiciary's strategic plan 2021-2025. “Serving as a significant step towards cultivating integrity, ethical conduct and excellence in your respective roles.” he said. He added: “Your roles whether i...

The Office of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP), has over the weekend, launched six (6), milling machines in the villages of North Bank Region, namely Medina Kanuma, Bakindic, Sika, Bakalar, and Toro Alasan, respectively. The handing over ceremony of these materials was made possible through the generous support of the UNFPA and Front-Line Women for Ex-Circumcisers, who voluntarily dropped their knives, serving them as a source of income.  The UNFPA County Programme, through GAMCOTRAP, disbursed the six (6) milling machines to the above-mentioned villages to end FGM. The objective was to provide sustainable Alternative Employment Opportunities for ex-circumcisers within the region, aimed at economically empowering them and supporting their transition from cutting girls to safeguarding women and girls from FGM.  GAMCOTRAP recognizes the critical role Ex-Circumcisers play in raising awareness about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of Sexual...

    The Honourable Deputy Speaker, Seedy SK Njie, welcomed a high-ranking European Union (EU) delegation led by Ambassador-Designate Immaculada Roca I Cortes. The high-level meeting focused on reviewing the progress made on the implementation of the recommendations made by the EU after The Gambia's 2021 elections, particularly as the country looks forward to its next electoral cycle beginning in 2026.  The EU post-electoral report made 20 recommendations, of which 15 targeted legal reforms to enhance electoral fairness and transparency. The meeting discussed EU concerns regarding transparency measures and access to information within the National Assembly by the general public. In response, Deputy Speaker Njie highlighted several initiatives, including a dedicated communications unit, committee-led townhall meetings and oversight activities, live-streamed sessions, and open media access to parliamentary proceedings. The continuity of consultations with civil society organ...

  The Gambia Press Union (GPU) today began a two-day validation of a draft Assault and Battery Guide for Journalists as well as train 25 participants on how to utlise the guide as part of efforts to address impunity for violent attacks on journalists and media workers. This event forms part of activities under the EU-funded Consolidation of Democratic Dispensation in The Gambia (CODE) implemented by International IDEA, and meant to support participatory, inclusive, and human rights-based democratic transition in The Gambia. The validation and capacity building are aimed at providing journalists and media workers with the legal knowledge and understanding of process and procedures for seeking redress on assault cases and similar violations of press freedom. Since 2017, the GPU has documented numerous incidents of journalists facing assault and intimidation, primarily from political party supporters and security forces. None of these cases, some of which are reported to the police, h...

  By Sheriff Saidykhan  Madi Jobarteh, a renowned Gambian human rights activist has said that The Gambian President Adama Barrow needs better advice and guidance.  His comments came amid the media fraternity meeting with President Adama Barrow on Monday to address key issues impacting the media landscape in The Gambia, including the need for a conducive media environment, press freedom, and media law reforms. Plus the need to drop the lawsuit charges against the voice, editor. The meeting brought together leading media figures, veteran journalists, representatives from the Women Journalists Association, MAJaC, and members of both the Media Council and the Gambia Press Union board.  In his usual Facebook posts to speak up about happenings in the country, especially human rights issues, he (Madi Jobarteh) added that if the President was committed to the freedom of the media, why would the IGP arrest Voice Newspaper journalists. “If the President was indeed committed to...

  In The Gambia, a country often celebrated for its vibrant cultural diversity, an unspoken reality continues to plague thousands of people: caste-based discrimination, particularly against communities discriminated on work and descent (CDWD). Despite significant strides toward abolishing slavery and improving human rights, the shadow of descent-based oppression remains deeply entrenched, affecting every facet of life—from education to religious practice, and even basic human dignity. This isn't just a historical footnote; it's a living reality for many who are marginalised because of their caste, a system that continues to enslave families generation after generation. Halimatou Ceesay, a rights expert for the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFoD) in The Gambia, spoke at the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights, bringing the issue to light. “In The Gambia, communities continue to endure caste-based discrimination that mirrors the i...

  The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is deeply concerned by the country’s press freedom situation after the Gambian president and his environment minister decided to sue two newspapers for defamation. President Adama Barrow’s suit against The Voice, a privately-owned daily newspaper, stems from a September 23rd story which claims President Barrow has chosen a successor as part of an exit plan. The case was called before the Kanifing High Court today (October 25, 2024) before it was adjourned till November 22, 2024 and Musa Sheriff, the Editor-In-Chief, and The Voice newspaper given 30 days within which to file their defence. Similarly, the Minister of Environment, Rohey John Manjang, has filed a defamation suit against reporter Kebba Ansu Manneh and The Alkamba Times claiming damages of up to D50 million ($725, 479 at today’s exchange rate). The case will be mentioned at the High Court in Banjul on November 12, 2024. The Environment Minister’s suit against the reporter and the online new...

  The Young Journalists Association of the Gambia(YJAG) on Sunday 20 October , 2024 concluded a two-day basic journalism training for press club members at St Michael's Junior and Senior Secondary school in Njongon village in the lower Niumi North Bank Region.  The training that gathers over fifty (50) students, was considered the first and most successful training received by the students at St Michael's Junior and Senior Secondary school press.  The first day of the training, students were taken through basic news writing, reporting, terminologies in journalism, among others. They were given class exercise in order to guage their understanding on the topics presented to them. At the climax of the training, YJAG executive members were invited at the Niumi FM to discuss about the importance of the training  and other activities of The Young Journalists Association of the Gambia.  The final day of the training, students were presented with topics such as; intervi...

Dai Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping wave during the welcoming ceremony of an economic summit. Disinformation campaigns seeking to manipulate African information systems have increased nearly fourfold since 2022. That is according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), which linked disinformation campaigns to increased violence, support for coups, expanded anti-Western rhetoric and the spread of confusion about health care. These campaigns also work to erode confidence in traditional media sources. Nearly 60% of disinformation campaigns in Africa are linked to countries outside the continent. The efforts, aided by emerging technology, are mostly driven by Russia, although China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also push false narratives as they seek to spread their influence. Such contrived narratives are flourishing as Africa now has more than 400 million active social media users and 600 million internet users. ...

It was a tough display of soccer Maneuvers on the field as Tungina United locked horns with Black Star FC of Pirang. Black Star capitalized on early chances to score. Musa Jarju netted both the first and the second goal of the match in the first half of the encounter. Tungina United fought vigorously but could not neutralize. Eventually, the match ended 2-0 in favor of the Black Star FC of Pirang. The kickoff was taken by the Alkalo of Kuloro Mr Siaka Saidy who advised the players to accept the outcome of the match in good faith.” In every game, there must be a winner and a loser. The tournament is meant to enhance peace ” Mr. Kebba Barry, the first chairperson of the Kuloro and Tungina Sports Committee made similar sentiments. This is the second edition of the Bell Bottling Company’s Football Tournament in Kuloro following a successful one last year The winners, Black Star FC went with a trophy and cash prize of D10,000 while the losers, Tungina United got D5,000. The chief of Kombo E...

The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has been elected as the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, during the recently concluded CPA Africa Region Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Arusha, Tanzania. The election of Hon. Jatta is in recognition of his leadership qualities and his commitment to fostering parliamentary democracy on the African continent. The CPA promotes democratic governance, good parliamentary practices, and inter-parliamentary cooperation among member states. The Africa Region of the CPA is instrumental in addressing key challenges facing parliaments across the continent, and under Hon. Jatta’s leadership, it is expected to continue driving initiatives that strengthen legislative institutions and governance. In his acceptance speech, Hon. Jatta expressed deep gratitude to the CPA Africa delegates for the confidence they have placed in him, and he reaffirmed his dedication to upholding the CPA’s va...

The Barra Police On Wednesday, October 9th 2024 received a report of an incident at Kerr Gallo involving seven worker from KEI construction company who have believe to died from an electric shock, while working on or erecting an electric pole. The police are currently investigating to ascertain the circumstances leading to this tragic event.  This is a developing story.