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  By Sheriff Saidykhan The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Hon. Seedy Keita  has called for fiscal discipline through economic management across various ministries in the country.  He made these remarks on Thursday in an interview with Peter Gomez on Coffee Time show. “You do not have to entertain an expenditure push simply for the sheer objective of saying yes, I am given in what the agencies required.  But you have to make sure you do it in a financial sustainable way. So, this calls for fiscal discipline. And that fiscal discipline is the anchor of budget execution.  Even in the course of implementing the budget, you look at every month how much you can within the approve budget- and how much budget has come by that you can actually spend without bloating the expenditure,” he said. A week after presenting his estimates of revenue for 2024 at the National Assembly, Minster Keita added that the objective of any fiscal budget is to ensure that you do not spend beyond your mean

  Team Outpost The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) have critiqued MPs for failure to passed reform bills, chief among which is the draft constitution, the Anti Corruption bill and the security reforms. “Their failure to tabled the draft constitution bill which is the will of the citizenry, the Anti Corruption Bill and the Security reforms are issues more pertinent than the urgency to sit and pass the former President's bill and salary with clothing allowances for National Assembly Members,” the report said. COPG further added that MPs did not made consultations with their various constituencies regarding policies and implementations, saying they have failed to serve as actors of checks and balances for a better democratic governance. “The NAMs have never made decisions in consultation with their constituents which is totally authoritarian. This might be because of their ignorance and incompetence of their defined roles and responsibilities to serve as checks and balances f

By Amadou Manneh The Gambia Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with sister police units have continue to demolish stalls and shops that are illegal building along the country’s highways. During the second week of the Nationwide road cleaning exercise, the police have today arrested over a dozen individuals for non-compliance. “The public is reminded that anyone found in or returning to areas already cleared will be arrested and prosecuted,” the police said. The nationwide road cleaning exercise has so far demolished hundreds of stalls and corners in the Greater Banjul Area. The demolition have cause  great economic hardship to people who are earning their living from the stalls. The victims lamented that their only source of income has been cut short and they have no means to earn money. “This is the only place I use to work and earn my living but now it is gone and I am left with nothing,” Penda Sarr said. Penda’s stalls was demolished because it is erected on the curbs of the highwa

  By Sheriff Saidykhan & Amadou Manneh Stall owners along the Tippa garage-Serekunda road have expressed their growing frustration over the demolition of their stalls. They decry that their source of income has been halted. They also lamented that if they don’t have place to build their stalls they’ll be without income.  The demolition of stalls on the roadside is part of government's nationwide road cleansing exercise. The exercise is conducted by the police force, military and other security apparatus. Nyima Sanneh, a vendor whose stall was demolished, lamented that  the demolition took her off-guard.  “I was barely ready to pack my things. It was so such sudden, in fact, there was no notice from the authorities that I should vacate the stall,” she said. She added that the demolition causes devastation for her family as it halted the source of her family income. She fears that if she couldn’t find new stalls her family will lose their source of income. Sainabou  Fatty, a pett

         By Sheriff Saidykhan The Gambian-U.S. based criminologist has said that, President Adama Barrow is doing psychological behavour as a weapon to silence his critics in the country. “President Barrow is doing psychological behaviour. As a leader if you lead with your ego and pride this happens. If you don't have your people analysing and assessing the situation, this is what always happens,” he said  Modou Lamin Faye, a specialist on Law enforcement and national security matters said President Adama Barrow is using 'scare tactics' in the drive to intimate citizens in the country.  "He start with a kind of scare tactics, if it does not work it will escalate into something. The more it escalates it turns into violence," He posited.  In a telephone interview with The Outpost Media on Saturday, the security analyst said President Barrow is using the state media as a propaganda tool for his political gains.  “He is using the media as propaganda to see what he can

  By Sheriff Saidykhan The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) has urged President Adama Barrow to exercise tolerance. The pressure group further expressed its discontent and shock over President Barrow's recent speeches in Nianija and Jarra. “It is with great concern that the Coalition of Progressive Gambians express their disappointment and shock on the recent utterances of President Barrow during his recent visit to Nianija and Jarra. The pronouncements made by the President took a good number of Gambians by surprise as it was unexpected at a time when there's speculation about the failure of democratic values in the country,” according to COPG. The Coalition of Progressive Gambians  further reminded  President Barrow to focus on mitigating the pressing issues affecting the country, chief among which is the cost of living conditions among others.   “The issues expected to be of concern should be the 2020 draft constitution, the high cost of living, unending corruption,

    | Urgent Call to Address President Adama Barrow's Recent Attack on Media and Freedom of Expression in Gambia | By Sheriff Saidykhan Muhammed S Bah, the President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) is still concerned about press freedom and democracy, amid the recent rearrest of Alagie Bora Sissawo, an online talk show host with Kerr Fatou Media. He said President Barrow’s frequent attacks on Journalists and media freedom is undermining the country's hard-fought progress it has registered over the past years. “President Adama Barrow's actions and statements in this regard are deeply troubling and demand our immediate attention. In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable escalation in President Barrow's attack on the media and freedom of expression. Journalists and media outlets and some members of the public have faced intimidation, and harassment both online and offline. This assault on the free press and freedom of expression is not only detrimental to the principle

  By Amadou Manneh The Faculty and Staff Association of the University of The Gambia (UTGFSA) requested the authorities like the National Assembly to establish an impartial investigation committee to probe the gross grade scandal at the university. The UTGFSA raised the concern after the University of The Gambia (UTG) distributed a two-page, unsigned press release to the UTG community and some media outlets, purportedly from the Governing Council of the University of The Gambia regarding the grade scandals that have recently come to light. This issue is of significant concern to the general public, and as the UTG Staff Association. “We would like to state our position: 1. Concerns about the Fact-Finding Panel:The staff association have concerns about the impartiality of the Fact-Finding Investigative Panel because the panel included deans from some of the affected schools, a conflict of interest that may have affected the findings. The association is adamant that an impartial and indep

                                     By Sheriff Saidykhan Muslims around the around on Wednesday 27, September 2023 commemorated Mawlid Al-Nabi, the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam, and the seal of all the Prophets sent by Allah to mankind.  Mawlid Al-Nabi, is an important occasion on the  Muslim calendar, that signifies the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace And Blessings Be Upon Him). Mawlid Al-Nabi, is commemorated every year on the 12th of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar.  Below is the selection of images showing Muslim commemorating Mawlid Al-Nabi around the world. Muslims gatered for Mawlid at Medina Baye Khasida recitations at Touba Tivavoune   

      By Amadou Manneh The students union of the University of the Gambia (UTG) have raised their growing concerned over delay of lectures. This semester’s lecture was announced to commence on 11th of September 2023 but the date has now been rescheduled to 2nd October to allow Faraba campus to complete work. “We cannot wait till October 2nd to begin lectures,” Kemo Fatty, the student president said. kemo  stated that the delay of lectures may interrupt the academic calendar again. Last semester’s lectures were compacted as the lecturers were rush to complete their lectures.  The examinations were conducted early, because the university management was trying to restore academic calendar to normalcy.  The  academic calendar was disrupted by corona virus pandemic that caused exams to be conducted late. according to Kemo, students had to endure the ordeals of last semester so that this semester could be smoothly conducted.’ he further concluded  that any further delay in the commencement o

                                                                   | Constables  Pateh Jallow and Sang J. Gomez have been laid to rest.|  By Amadou Manneh Constable Pateh Jallow was laid to rest in his hometown of Foni Kansala, while Constable  Sang J Gomez was buried in his home village of Kitty 1 yesterday. The two officers were killed on Tuesday when an alleged shooter Ousainou Bojang shot them at Sukuta-Jabang Traffic light. The burials of the officer was attended by Senior Service Chiefs and Senior Government Officials. Inspector General of Police Abdoulie Sanyang has attended the burial of Sang J Gomez in  Kitty 1. “They paid their final respects to PC Sang J Gomez in his hometown of Kitty,” the Acting Public Relation Officer of the Police, Modou Musa Sisawo said. He said that  the Gambia Police Force and the Government presented charitable tokens to assist the grieving family of the two slain officers. General Sanyang reiterated his solemn commitment to PC Gomez's family, as

  By Amadou Manneh Gambia Police Force has arrested six more suspects in relation to Tuesday's shooting at Sukuta-Jabang traffic light, National Security Adviser Abubakar Suleiman Jeng said. He made these  revelations during a press briefing at the police headquarters on Friday. The main suspect of the shooting, Ousainou Bojang was arrested on Wednesday in southern Senegal. The recent arrest brought the number of suspects into police custody to seven. The shooting led to the death of two police officer and a serious injury to another officer who is currently hospitalise.   Jeng said the police are working tireless to uncover the motives of the shooting.  Howeverthe identities of the six suspects was not disclosed. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Modou Sowe said the the boots and clothes of the prime suspect at the night of the shooting were recovered. He said investigation into the matter is still in progress.

  By Amadou Manneh    The Office of The Inspector General of The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has confirmed the arrest of the alleged shooter, Ousainou Bojang from Brufut Bojang Kunda in connection to the recent shooting at the Sukuta traffic light junction. On Tuesday a gun man attacked Paramilitary Officers at the Sukuta-Jabang Highway killing two male  officers and wounded one female officer. Ousainou Bojang  was captured in Jululung, Cassamance in Senegal after a manhunt was launched against  him.  The police said the suspected killer is under police custody, and there are ongoing investigation aims at unveiling the motives behind the shooting of the police officers. “The Gambia Police Force remains dedicated to sharing pertinent information from this investigation that is suitable for the public,” Modou Musa Sisawo, the the Ag PRO states.  Meanwhile, President Adama Barrow has visited the wounded officer who is currently receiving treatment and presented hundred thousand dalasis [D10

By Amadou Manneh Modou Lamin Age-almusaf Sowe, a Gambian author , said the  Gambia should conduct a national teachers' competency tests for teachers and also develop reading framework for the students. “We have been doing very well in internal and external examinations, but there is  need to conduct a national teachers' competency test every 5 years and lay off teachers who are not fit enough to remain in the teaching system,” he remarked. He said that those who pass the test should have a salary increment, and those who fail the test can be compensated and work on improving themselves. He made these remrks in a telephone interview with The Outpost Media over the weekend. According to him this will improve the country’s literacy status and its education system. The Gambia has, according to UNESCO, a literacy rate of 50.78%, while the male literacy rate is 61.77%, and the female literacy rate is 41.58%, showing a big gap between the sexes. “This means that there are more males l

  Seedy Cham, COPG Chairman By Sheriff Saidykhan     The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) is set for a nationwide protest, amid government's failure to fulfil their demands, chief among which is the cost of living conditions in the country.  “We opted therefore to plan and call for a nationwide protest to ensure our concerns and demands are considered and addressed,” the statement said.  The pressure group further reminded the government of President Adama Barrow of the concerns presented to the Permanent Secretary for Interior. “The Coalition of Progressive Gambians therefore calls on government to take these concerns seriously and swiftly address the short term concerns and demands presented. The short term demands and concerns included addressing the high cost of living, the audit and TRRC Recommendations  and most importantly bringing back the Draft Constitution. The COPG express disappointment on the failure of government to address the concerns and demands presented t

  By Sheriff Saidykhan & Amadou Manneh The residents of London Corner especially those near the water-channel have lamented their growing predicaments  over access to road in the past two days.  The residents stated that the rain of the past two days have prevented them from going out of their houses. They also stated that they are finding it difficult to go to the shop or market because the roads are filled with stagnant waters. They further adduced that, if any heavy downpour occur the water will cause floods in their homes and houses. Bintou Bah,  a resident said the rain of the past two days haven’t flooded in their house yet but it has blocked their roads. Bintou’s house was flooded in the last August flash flood  that caused deaths and destruction  across the country.     She said that the water channel  has been unsafe for residents to go out and about, because it is dangerous to walk in the potholes fill with dirty waters. Nyima Barjo another resident in the area said that

                By Amadou Manneh                          Niger Military Junta is set  to charge former President  Mohamed Bazoum with ‘high treason’ following his overthrown from office. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a press statement have condemned the ‘high treason charge’ against Bazoum.  “This is another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means. ECOWAS  still recognise Mohamed Bazoum as the president of Niger and demanded the military junta to reinstate him to power.  ECOWAS condemns his illegal detention and calls for his immediate release and reinstatement,” the statement said. In  July the military junta of Niger had overthrown the democratic elected government of Mohamed Bazoum causing widespread condemnation from the international community.  ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger military junta and further threatened a militar

                    By Amadou Manneh       Honourable Halifa Sallah, Secretary General of the People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism, (PDOIS) has diagnosed the current political crisis in Senegal and Niger.   In Niger, last week the military junta overthrown the democratic elected government of Mohamed Bazoum. This sparked widespread condemnation from the international community.  The Economic Community Of West African States [ECOWAS] has imposed sanctions on Niger’s military junta and further threatened military action. The West African body further called on the junta to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Meanwhile, in Senegal the fierce opposition leader and  Macky Sall’s  main challenger, Ousmane Sonko faces disqualification from running in the upcoming election, following widespread demonstrations in Dakar. In an interview with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio, popular Coffe Time Show on Tuesday. Halifa Sallah the de facto leader of PDOIS states th

By Amadou Manneh Honourable Halifa Sallah, Secretary General of the People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) has reacted to the ‘Senegambia bridge mortgage’ agreement  with Africa50. The government of the Gambia has signed $100 million agreement with Africa50 to manage and operate the Senegambia Bridge. The agreement sparked public debate that described the agreement as mortgaging of the bridge but the  government said the agreement is a  sale transaction, mortgage or privatisation contract. Halifa Sallah stated that  the Senegambia bridge is a ‘sovereign property and  must not  be dispose in any way unless the national interest is secured.’ He made these remarks at a PDOIS press conference held on Thursday 3, August 2023. He said that the Senegambia bridge is a source of revenue that was build  to replace the ferries that where plying and they were also a source of revenue. “Now our ferries are dying. Any document that truly has the national interest

  By Sheriff Saidykhan Muhammed Hydara, Climate change activist has urged African leaders to fight against climate change, and foster a sustainable future for the continent.  In a telephone interview with The Outpost Media over the weekend, Muhammed Hydara said there is need for African leaders to collaborate with other nations to address global climate challenges.  “By taking this action, Afriacn leaders can contribute significantly to the fight against climate change,” he said. He said the impacts of climate change in Africa poses far-reaching consequences. “More Intense Heatwaves: Pose health risks and heat-related illnesses. Water Scarcity: Changing rainfall patterns and increased evaporation lead to shortages and affect agriculture.  Food Insecurity: Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather cause crop failures and shortages. Desertification: Fertile land turns into desert, leading to loss of arable land. Coastal Threats: Rising sea levels and extreme weather endanger coastal