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NDMA and CSOs update The vice President on humanitarian efforts in Foni

The Vice President, Dr. Isatou Touray on Wednesday received senior officials of the National Disaster Management Agency, Civil Society Organizations, and humanitarian partner organizations at her office in Banjul. The meeting focused on the assessment of the situation in Foni, West Coast Region, following confrontations between Senegalese forces and MFDC separatists in Cassamance earlier this year. The Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency Sanna Dahaba said the situation has resulted in the displacement of residents along the southern Senegalese border. In his presentation of the assessment report, the deputy executive director of NDMA Serign Modou Joof explained that the findings focused on accommodation and feeding of victims as well as access to education for affected children among other areas. He said the exercise gathered the necessary data for effective response. The vice president Dr. Isatou Touray underscored the importance of accurate data in planning and response to emergencies. She commended NDMA and partner organizations for the support rendered to internally displaced persons while urging them to support the government’s development agenda.

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NEDI trains youth and women agro-entrepreneurs

A total of Twenty-seven youth and women agro-entrepreneurs from the Central and Upper River Region are undergoing a four-day general entrepreneurship training in Pakalinding, LRR. The training organized by NEDI in partnership with the Rice Value Chain Transformative Project is meant to enable participants to know how to start, run and manage the service center as a business venture. The forum is funded by the African Development Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Regional Youth Coordinators for LRR Fabakary Sanneh and Musa Jarra of URR both called on youths in their regions to take up the opportunity seriously and make the best use of the knowledge gained. Abdoukabirr Deffeh, Program Manager of NEDI said the provision of the right farming equipment is the only way to inspire young people to fully participate in agricultural production.

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Action Aid International The Gambia empowers Poultry farmers in CRR

Action-Aid International - the Gambia recently handed over cheques for D300, 000 to poultry farmers in the central region - south in a bid to enhance the resilience of farmers against climate change. The initiative aims to support vulnerable communities in agriculture. The Manager of LRP 8 & 11 Action-Aid, Fafa Cham, said the eighteen-month project is jointly implemented by farmers' associations targeting fifty beneficiaries in poultry production. This he said will increase the income of farmers and ensure food security. The Governor Central River Region Sheriff Abba Sanyang explained that the initiative will improve local poultry production. He encourages farmers to diversify their agricultural activities in a bid to mitigate the impact of climate change on households. 

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The Opposition United Democratic Party picks Minority leader

The United Democratic Party (UDP) the largest opposition in the sixth legislature has announced Hon Alagie S. Darboe, as the Minority Leader of the National Assembly.  Hon Madi M.K Ceesay, is Deputy Minority Leader, and Hon. Sulayman Saho Chief Whip. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022. The National People’s Party (NPP) has also announced that Hon Bellay G Tunkara is the new Majority leader of the house and Hon Ablie Ceesay is his deputy. Hon. Omar Darboe, is the Chief Whip.  

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Police say its officer is mentally imbalanced

The Gambia police force has expressed concern over the conduct of Officer Yankuba Camara brandishing a firearm and was heard threatening members of the UDP on social media. The police say the officer is battling with a rare mental health condition, and episodes of mental imbalances experienced occasionally. The police said in a statement that it is working with the family for appropriate psychiatric support and treatment recommendations. 

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Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd to divests business interest in the Gambia

The Central Bank of The Gambia is in receipt of correspondence from Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd, conveying Standard Chartered Bank Group’s decision to divest their business interest in The Gambia. This is in line with the Group’s new business model and strategic repositioning, which requires divestiture from a number of African countries, including The Gambia and a few countries in the Middle East. The Group is in negotiation with potential investors to buy its shares in Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd. The divestiture will not impact the operations of Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd, as the bank will continue to operate normally. The Central Bank of The Gambia hereby assures its customers and the public that Standard Chartered Bank is a well-managed, highly liquid, and well capitalized bank, which will continue its normal operations in full compliance with the Central Bank of The Gambia’s regulatory requirements. It will be noted that Standard Chartered Bank is one of the largest banks in this country with a long history going back more than a hundred years, during which the bank contributed enormously to the socio-economic development of The Gambia and will continue to do so in years to come. The bank’s customers and the public are hereby urged to be mindful of messages going around in the social media regarding the divestiture process, details of which are hereby clarified, informing customers and the general public that Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd will continue to operate normally. The release ends. 

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National Assessment Test (NAT) and the Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) Rescheduled to July 2022

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) in consultation with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) wishes to inform Regional Education Directorates, School Principals, Parents, Students and the Public that the 2022 National Assessment Test (NAT) and the Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) have been rescheduled to July 2022The reason for this development is to allow students affected by the Cassamance crisis in Foni to settle down and catch up for the lost contact hours. The Ministry will continue its consultations with WAEC to communicate the new dates once they are confirmed. In light of this development, MoBSE would like to solicit the cooperation and understanding of all stakeholders,” MoBSE in a statement today.Many schools near the Gambia-Senegal border in Foni were closed and some of their students were internally displaced because of the clashes between the MFDC and the Senegalese Soldiers recently.

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Fabakary Tombong Jatta elected speaker of the National Assembly

Honorable Fabakary Tombong Jatta Has Been Elected As Speaker Of The Sixth Legislature. Mr. Jatta is one of five nominated members by the President. Hon Seedy SK Njie was elected Deputy speaker of the house.

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President Barrow nominates five in the new National Assembly

President Adama Barrow has nominated Fabakary Tombong Jatta Seedy S.K. Njie, Maimuna Ceesay, Kebba Lang Fofana, and Fatou K. Jawara as members of the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia with effect from Tuesday, 12th April 2022. This is in accordance with the power vested in him in the 1997 constitution.

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High Court Judges, Human rights Commissioner and Senior Civil Servant sworn in

Three High court judges Justice Sheriff B. Tabally, Justice Sidi K. Jorbateh and Justice Isatou Janneh Njie, were sworn in today at State House. Also sworn in were Halimatou Dibba as a member of the Human Rights Commission and Mariama Njie as Permanent Secretary, assigned to the Office of the President. They all took the oath of office and secrecy before cabinet ministers. 

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Good Friday and Easter Monday declared Public Holidays

In accordance with the provisions of section 76 (1) of the Constitution (1997) of the Republic of The Gambia, the Office of the President informs the general public that Friday 15th and Monday 18th April 2022 are declared public holidays throughout the country, in observance of the Christian Holy feast of Easter. On behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Office of the President wishes a blessed Easter feast to the Christian community at home and abroad.

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Gambia government cuts spending on Overseas travel, fuel and telephones

The Secretary-General and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Noah Touray, has issued a circular to inform all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, that the Government has taken fiscal and austerity measures to reduce spending on overseas travel, fuel and lubricants, and telecommunications allowances.  The Government has also reduced all monthly fuel allocation to eligible officials by 20%. Overseas travels, except for UN, ECOWAS, AU, World Bank, IMF, AfDB, and IsDB statutory meetings, have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.  Meetings, where the organisers will fully pay the cost of participation in such overseas events, are not included. Postpaid mobile telephones for public officials will be limited to senior officials and relevant security functionaries with limits. The circular states that the measures are meant to mitigate the impact of current global economic uncertainties.

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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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