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UTG Faraba Campus gets new facilities

The Ministry of Higher Education Research Science and Technology says works for the completion of The University of The Gambia’s Faraba Bantang campus are almost completed. The ministry wrote on its social media handle that the library and four schools will be operational by February 2023. President Adama Barrow is expected to inaugurate the completed phase of the construction. The Ministry also revealed funds for the second phase have been secured and works will start in early 2023.

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YMCA CONVENES YOUTH CONFERENCE ON PEACE AND SECURITY

The Gambia YMCA in partnership with their counterparts in Finland organised a youth peace and security conference. The theme of the conference is youth inclusion for conflict prevention and sustaining peace.The forum brought together young people across the country to map out ways for youth advancement. Stakeholders say the conference was convened as part of the Gambia YMCA's advocacy component under the 'work 4 peace' project.  The conference looked into the role of young people in conflict prevention and sustaining peace as well as combating irregular migration through youth resilience. John Charles Njie, the national secretary of the YMCA, said youths have a choice to make and should avoid being used for issues that threaten peace.‘Make up your mind that you will not be a tool for upheaval in the country. I can tell you that if our country gets into trouble, all of us will leave in regret’, He said.Njie, further implored the young people to discuss and come up with resolutions, and ensure they become instruments of peace and social cohesion in this country. Priscilla Dunn the YMCA project director said young people are key contributors to peace anywhere in the world, thus the reason for the convergence by YMCA.  It is hoped that at the end of the conference, the participants will come up with resolutions and programs to pave a viable way forward for young people.

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African Commission on Human and People’s Rights holds 73rd extra ordinary session in The Gambia

The Vice president, Dr. Badara Joof on Friday presided over the official opening of the 73rd session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Ansumana S.O Nyassi reports. In his opening statement, Vice President Badara Joof, described the commission as one of the most important pillars of development in Africa. He cited numerous reforms and human rights endeavours including the establishment of the truth commission, as a clear testament to the Gambia government’s political will to strengthen democracy and human rights in the Gambia and beyond.Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Human and People’s Rights, Remy NgoyLumbu, said the extraordinary session is a moment of stocktaking, to assess the current situation of Human Rights in Africa. She implored member states to amplify efforts to strengthen human rights in Africa. Hanna Forster member of the NGO Steering Committee and African Court on Human and Peoples Rights underscored the achievements of the commission. She said the aspiration of the commission is to create an Africa where people live in peace and enjoy freedom, justice, and development.Preceded by the swearing-in of a newly elected commissioner, the extraordinary session marks its 35th anniversary, the 20th anniversary of the resolution against the death penalty, the 10th anniversary of the Kampala convention, and the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. Fridays’ event was attended by the Gambia’s Chief Justice, Hassan B. Jallow, who was recognized for his role in drafting the charter that established the commission in 1987.  Senegal’s minister of Justice and other high-profile dignitaries from across the continent were also present.  

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China: 20th CPC Congress opens in Beijing

Delegates from different cities and provinces across China are in Beijing for the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).President Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee will preside over the opening session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.The Congress is the biggest political convergence in the Asian giant nation. The meeting is a platform to hear different opinions, make informed decisions and strategic directions in all facets of development under a people centred government led by president Xi.The spokesperson for the Congress Sun Yeli announced on Saturday that everything was set for the mega event, with over 2000 delegates confirmed to attend.The CPC was founded in July 1921 by the late visionary Chinese leader, Mao Zedong in Shangai, the current financial city of China.Since then the  party has been gaining momentum with growing public trust for pursuing examplary leadership. China boasts of communism with Chinese characteristics as manifested in Xi Jinping's thought of communism, creating a community of shared future for mankind.

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President Barrow Appoints Trade Minister

His Excellency, Mr Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, in accordance with section 71(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, has relieved Honourable Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof of the portfolio of Minister responsible for the Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery.In the same vein, President Barrow in accordance with Section 71(1) and Section 71 (3) of the Constitution appointed Honourable Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof as Minister responsible for the portfolio of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment with immediate effect from today, 13th October 2022.Also, by the same Constitutional provisions, His Excellency, the President today, 13th October 2022, appoints Mr Baboucarr Bouy as Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery, effective 1st November 2022.    

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President Barrow receives GFF new Executive

President Adama Barrow on Friday received the Executive Committee of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) at the State House. The GFF was at State House to introduce its new leadership to the Gambian leader. The GFF delegation included its President Lamin Kaba Bajo, the Vice Presidents, and Executive committee members. The meeting came barely a month after the new executive secured another four-year mandate to run the affairs of football in the countryPresident Barrow congratulated them for securing a new mandate and encouraged the GFF leadership to remain committed to the development of football in the country. He promised the government’s continued financial support for football. The GFF thanked the government for its support of football, which they said helped the Gambia qualify for the first time to the African Cup of Nations. 

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President Barrow Summons Emergency Cabinet Meeting on AKI Deaths in The Gambia

President Adama Barrow said the recent Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outbreak in the country is a challenging time for the government, families, and the people, and called on all to close ranks to come out of the crisis better prepared.  He made the call during an emergency Cabinet meeting he summoned on Thursday, 13th October 2022, for an update on the 66 plus AKI deaths associated with contaminated Indian-made syrups imported into The Gambia in June this year.According to updates, as of 13th October 2022, the number of AKI deaths related cases has risen to 70, and all may be linked to the use of the said contaminated drugs.  The President was emphatic that his government is determined to unearth the details of the cases, as “the children died in unusual circumstances.”  Accordingly, a directive was issued to open criminal investigations. The ongoing police investigations have established the importer, licensee, and quantity of, drugs imported in June 2022. Atlantic Pharmaceuticals Company Limited brought into the country a consignment of 50,000 units of medicinal syrup, of which the Health Authorities recalled over 41,000. However, over 8,000 units are still unaccounted for.The probe established that the Medicine Control Agency – MCA was established by the Medicines and Related Products Act 2014.   At the time it started product registration in 2017, there were thousands of unregistered products in the country.  This was due to a lack of testing facilities in The Gambia and the exorbitant cost involved in outsourcing the testing. However, Cabinet was informed that the World Bank has agreed to establish a medicines and drugs testing facility in The Gambia. Furthermore, there is an ongoing international medical investigation in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the United States of America and Africa, looking into the medical causes of AKI deaths among children in The Gambia and related medical matters.Having received an in-depth briefing on the AKI death cases, Cabinet concluded by setting up a broad-based Commission of Inquiry, whose terms of Reference and Composition will be gazetted shortly.  

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GAF GRADUATES NEW RECRUITS

 A rare sight, ground and occasion coming after five years of intense preparation and training. This is the passing out of recruit intake 37 of the Gambia armed forces which comes after the lifting of the moratorium on recruitment by the Barrow administration. This is a significant move joining efforts to rebrand the military into a more  professional force in line with international best practices. As an institution guided by a unique mandate to protect and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity, boosting numbers is vital for capacity to support national objectives in the execution of the army's constitutional role. The passing out is the culmination of twenty weeks of rigorous training building professionalism and high standards of regimentation for the new cohort.A   a total number of 226 out of the 234 initially enrolled are now ready to take up task as expected, serving with diligence, integrity, respect and loyalty. As elated as they are for completing their training, the journey ahead might be daunting but is duty bound with expectations to protect the aspirations of people they serve as enshrined in the constitution.

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ECOWAS NATIONS MEET TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC CRISIS

The African continent has been hit by unprecedented economic crises since the outbreak of covid-19 with slow recovery gravely disrupting growth and pushing millions of Africans into poverty. The decline in economic activity forecasted at 7.6 percent essentially marks the undesirable impact of previous years.A convergence of experts from Ecowas English-speaking countries in Banjul is discussing the slow pace of recovery, taking stock of the current inflation and microeconomic estimates for 2022. The convergence will shape tangible mechanisms and contribute to efforts orienting national and sub-regional policy development and programmes and assess the impact of the recent crises to produce short-term forecasts.Africa is faced with vast structural trials such as climate change posing environmental threats and disruption of supply chains in energy, food and agriculture inputs has drastically contributed to increased inflation and food scarcity.The war in Ukraine has dire economic consequences on African countries dependent on imports and has pushed millions below the poverty line as food and fuel prices escalate.The Gambia is amongst targeted countries including Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone sharing best practices assessing recent economic challenges to enhance institutional collaboration. According to experts’ progress has been made in the ECOWAS single currency, while in 2019 global GDP growth was marked at 2.5%, it sank in the following year with a tentative recovery in 2021. The emergence of global unrest and war has additionally decreased economic dynamics and growth.

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IMF Briefs President Barrow on its 5th Review Mission

President Adama Barrow called on IMF to consider in its advisory, the difficult economic situation impacting the lives of the poor citizens, as the economy recovers post-COVID-19. The President made the remarks on Tuesday, 4th October 2022, when the International Monetary Fund Mission Chief, Mr. Ivohasina Fizara Razafimaheta, paid a courtesy call on him at the State House in Banjul.  At the end of a closed-door meeting, the IMF Mission Chief said his team briefed the President on the conclusions of the 5th Review Mission of the Government's Programme, supported by the IMF under the Extended Credit Facilities arrangements. He added that they discussed the economic developments in the first six months of the year and the Government's policy direction for the next six to twelve months.  Speaking to the media on inflation, Mr. Razarfiaheta contextualised the inflation and price hikes in The Gambia, saying the inflation witnessed by the Gambia is one driven by external factors like the war in Ukraine, which is affecting global fuel and food prices. "Is an inflation being seen in many countries around the world, not only in The Gambia", He noted.While acknowledging the Government's efforts to relieve the hardship that higher prices of commodities are inflicting on the population, the IMF Mission Chief said they are advising Government on steps to contain the increase of inflation and the foreign exchange the country is facing. He added that they would consult with the Central Bank of The Gambia on policy options to address the economic situation.  Despite the floods that marred this year's rainy season and the weak performance, the IMF Mission Chief's assessment of the Gambian economy activities found that, even though tourist arrivals have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, there are an increasing number of tourists arriving, a thriving construction industry, and an anticipated bumper harvest in 2022.

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NDLEA confirms suspected 840kg blocks seized are cocaine

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has conducted a forensic test on suspected 840kg blocks of cocaine seized from suspected traffickers in different locations. Six suspects, five Sierra Leoneans and a Gambian, were arrested by narcotics officers. The suspected substance tested positive for cocaine. The Public Relations Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ousman Saidybah said the alleged drug trafficking is transnational with links across borders. 

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National Health Insurance Authority develop health benefit package for the National Health Insurance Scheme

The National Health Insurance Authority on Tuesday began a three-day meeting to discuss the development of a health benefits package for the National Health Insurance Scheme across the country. The meeting brought together medical and health experts to map out targeted disease or service areas, for the essential healthcare package. The Minister of Health Dr. Amadou Lamin Samateh said the Authority is engaging medical and health experts to identify critical areas under the scheme. He said the development of the scheme will accelerate efforts to meet SDG 2030. The health minister also said that the Health Insurance Scheme would be available to both the public and private health facilities. The World Health Organization’s country representative Dr. Desta Tiruneh advised participants to consider the benefits package in line with available resources for health care service delivery. 

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Latest Updates

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THE GAMBIA AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO GEORGIA, MOLDOVA TO BOOST BILATERAL TIES

His Excellency Mr Pa Musa Jobarteh, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, on Friday 22nd May 2026 presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Georgia, His Excellency Mr Mikheil Kavelashvili, as the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to Georgia at a ceremony held in the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi.H.E. Ambassador Jobarteh conveyed fraternal greetings from His Excellency President Adama Barrow to the President, the Government, and the people of Georgia. He underscored his willingness to work with Georgia further to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.During a closed-door meeting with the President, Ambassador Jobarteh highlighted several areas of cooperation, including Science and Technology, Agriculture, and Tourism. The two agreed to explore opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.In a similar development, His Excellency Mr Pa Musa Jobarteh, on Tuesday 26th May 2026 presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Moldova, Her Excellency Ms Maia Sandu, as the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Moldova at a ceremony held in the Presidential Palace in Chisinau.H.E. Ambassador Jobarteh conveyed fraternal greetings from His Excellency President Adama Barrow to the President, the Government, and the people of the Republic of Moldova. He underscored his willingness to work with the Republic of Moldova further to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.H.E Ambassador Jobarteh and Her Excellency Maia Sandu discussed and noted potential areas of aligned interest and cooperation in which The Gambia and the Republic of Moldova can mutually benefit, including support for each other’s candidature at multilateral levels and the relevance of multilateralism for small states. They both echoed similar sentiments on international peace and security, and the need to expand trade, agriculture and investment learning exchanges.

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PRESIDENT BARROW JOINS BANJUL EID PRAYERS, CALLS FOR PEACE AHEAD OF ELECTION

Muslims in Banjul gathered at the King Fahd Mosque to observe the Feast of Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tobaski. President Adama Barrow, cabinet ministers, security chiefs, and senior government officials also participated in Eid prayers, led by Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Alieu Mass Kah. The president used his Eid message to call for peace, tolerance, and responsible citizenship.Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, led the two-rakah prayer.In his sermon after the prayer, the Imam Ratib urged Muslims to uphold peace, tolerance, and stability.He expressed concern over the rising use of drugs and illicit substances among youth and called for concerted efforts by government, parents, religious leaders, and society to address this menace, which threatens the well-being and future of young people.He also prayed for ongoing peace and stability in The Gambia and the wider world.In line with religious teachings, Imam Ratib supervised the slaughter of his sacrificial lamb, which opened the way for other Muslims across the city to do the same, as prescribed by Islamic faith.Outside the mosque, His Excellency Adama Barrow delivered his Eid address, congratulating Gambians and Muslims on this significant feast.He urged Muslims to be peaceful, tolerant, and law-abiding, adding that The Gambia is preparing for another presidential election, which the world will observe closely.On the international stage, President Barrow said he was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East. As chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, he maintains contact with regional leaders to promote dialogue, restraint, and diplomacy for resolving differences.The President then left the King Fahd Mosque in Banjul for State House, where he also oversaw the slaughter of his two sacrificial lambs.The Imam of the State House mosque, Alhaji Mustafa Jallow, led the team that marked the conclusion of the President's Eid celebrations.

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GAMBIA SIGNS SPORTS & EDUCATION DEAL WITH TIBU AFRICA 

The Vice President, His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, has presided over the signing of a cooperation agreement between Tibu Africa from the Kingdom of Morocco and the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Youth and Sports at the State House in Banjul. This agreement aims to support the national development agenda, especially in youth empowerment, education transformation, sports development, and international collaboration. The delegation from Tibu Africa accompanied by Bakary Y. Badjie the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Dr Habibatou Drammeh the Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, went to the Vice President's office to formally introduce their initiatives in The Gambia.Following an in-depth discussion with VP Jallow regarding the programme, the approach to implementation, and its potential impact on the country, the president of Tibu Africa Mohamed Amine Zariat, proceeded to sign agreements with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.These agreements, reaffirming the Government’s strong commitment to investing in Gambian youth development and empowerment, through strategic international partnerships, also form part of broader efforts to expand opportunities for Gambian youth in sport and education, as highlighted by Tibu Africa's President, Mohamed Amine Zariat.This partnership also aims to incorporate sports into national development policies. Youth and Sports Minister Bakary Y Badjie described the arrival of Tibu Africa in The Gambia as a “significant advantage.”The Gambia is poised to become the first English-speaking country to benefit from Tibu Africa's intervention and partnership programmes, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s expansion within the African continent.Basic and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Habibatou Drammeh said the government, through her ministry, is “fully committed to the agreement with Tibu Africa.”This programme targets all “642 public primary schools across the country.” A similar agreement is expected to be signed between Tibu Africa and the Ministry of Interior.Tibu Africa is internationally recognised for its innovative use of sports as a catalyst for sustainable social transformation, youth empowerment, educational advancement, and community development. The organisation operates in more than fifty-two cities across the twelve regions of Morocco and has expanded its interventions to several African countries, including Tunisia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Madagascar.

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GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS MISINFORMATION ON POWER CUTS, URGES NATIONAL UNITY

The Government wishes to express deep concern over the increasing spread of misinformation, deliberate distortions, and politically motivated narratives circulating on social media and certain online platforms regarding issues of governance, corruption, and recent electricity supply challenges.While the government fully acknowledges the concerns of citizens affected by intermittent power shortages and other national challenges, it is both irresponsible and unfortunate that some individuals and groups have chosen to exploit these temporary challenges to spread falsehoods, undermine public confidence, and score cheap political points rather than contribute constructively to national dialogue and solutions.The Government remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.  Consequently, allegations of corruption must never be reduced to social media propaganda, political sensationalism, or coordinated misinformation campaigns aimed solely at scoring cheap political points and creating public distrust. Matters of governance and public accountability are serious national issues that must be addressed through credible institutions, evidence-based processes, and the rule of law and not through reckless speculation and politically charged disinformation.It is essential to remind the public that the current electricity supply constraints are being actively addressed through ongoing interventions, investments, and regional energy cooperation efforts, particularly within the framework of the OMVG. The Gambia Government, under the leadership of President Adama Barrow has achieved significant progress in expanding national electricity access, improving generation capacity, and modernising energy infrastructure over recent years. These achievements should not be ignored simply for political convenience.No responsible government desires inconvenience for its citizens, particularly during important social and religious periods. However, genuine leadership requires honesty, patience, and collective responsibility, especially during moments like these.For nearly the past year, the country has experienced one of the most stable and reliable electricity supply periods in recent national history, with many households and businesses enjoying significantly improved power availability and fewer interruptions. This progress was not accidental, but the result of deliberate government investments and reforms in the energy sector. Therefore, temporary technical challenges currently affecting electricity supply in parts of the country should be viewed within their proper context. While any disruption to electricity supply is regrettable and taken seriously by the Government, isolated operational and technical challenges cannot reasonably justify the level of outrage, alarmism, and politically charged narratives being amplified in some quarters.The Government is therefore urging political actors, media platforms, activists, and members of the public to exercise restraint, patriotism, and responsibility in their public commentary. Constructive criticism is welcome in every democratic society, but the deliberate politicisation of temporary national challenges for narrow partisan gain does not serve the interests of the country or its people.National development cannot thrive in an atmosphere poisoned by misinformation, constant negativity, and manufactured outrage. Progress requires unity, stability, responsible citizenship, and a shared commitment to national interest above political opportunism.The Government reassures the public that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the electricity supply, strengthen service delivery, and continue advancing the country’s development agenda. Citizens are encouraged to rely on official channels for accurate information and to reject the spread of false and misleading content designed to create unnecessary panic and division.

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PRESIDENT BARROW HOSTS TIBU AFRICA AS MOROCCO GROUP LAUNCHES FIRST ANGLOPHONE PROGRAM IN GAMBIA

The President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, on Tuesday received Mohamed Amine Zariat, President of Tibu Africa, at the State House. Tibu Africa is a Morocco-based sports organisation specialising in sports education, empowerment, and socio-economic inclusion of youth, women, and children across Africa. Mr Zariat launched the first Tibu in The Gambia, marking the first in Anglophone Africa.The President of Tibu Africa, Muhammed Amin Zariat, was accompanied to the State House by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, and the Tibu country representative, Ebrima Manneh.Speaking to journalists after their audience with President Barrow, Mr Zariat disclosed that Tibu Africa was founded in 2011 to promote sports education and empower women and youths.Mr Zariat added that Tibu Africa plans to expand its activities in The Gambia, targeting schools across the country to give young people opportunities to pursue careers in sports education.The Tibu Africa President also praised the Gambia-Morocco friendship, which inspired this partnership, and expressed particular thanks to King Mohammed VI and President Barrow for their patronage.To further strengthen this partnership, Mr Zariat announced plans to establish a basketball court in The Gambia in December. He also extended an invitation to the President to attend the next Education Through Sport summit, to be held in Casablanca next year, where The Gambia will be the guest country.Finally, Mr Zariat expressed hope that The Gambia will qualify for the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco.

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GRA DOUBLES REVENUE TO D25.3B IN 5 YEARS UNDER DARBOE

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has significantly improved its performance over the last five years, thanks to good management, strong leadership, and new ideas. Their revenue has increased from D12.7 billion in 2021 to an impressive D25.3 billion in 2025. This success has come from the efforts of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe and his team, who transformed an authority that used to struggle to meet its goals.The 2026 GRA awards celebrate the biggest and most compliant taxpayers of the year. They also highlight the GRA as an institution that consistently exceeds expectations.Yankuba Darboe has been leading the GRA since 2014, six years after it was created by combining the central revenue department with the customs and excise departments. His leadership has brought about changes that have greatly improved how revenue is collected and taxed in The Gambia.With a dedicated team and support from a government focused on development, Mr Darboe started reforms that doubled and even tripled revenue in a short time. This earned him praise from the government and his colleagues.President H.E. Adama Barrow has been inspired by Darboe’s achievements and has attended every taxpayer award night to recognise and appreciate his leadership and contributions.Colleagues at the GRA also admire Darboe for his leadership skills, passion for success, and commitment to exceeding targets.Despite this success, Mr Darboe remains humble and sees these achievements as motivation to keep improving. He believes in always finding new opportunities and welcoming innovations, without creating more pressure on taxpayers. His main goal is to expand the tax base, rather than raise tax rates for the people.As they celebrate another successful year, the GRA leadership and team are confident in their ability to continue meeting and exceeding targets, supported by new technologies and systems. The future looks bright for them.

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