The Gambia men's beach volleyball team will leave on Wednesday for Rome for the global championship. The Gambia is in Pool A where they play against host Italy, Argentina, and world champions in Brazil.
Continue Reading >>Mass burial is to be held for fifty unidentified bodies at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital mortuary in Banjul. The principal public relations officer of the Hospital, Kebba Sanneh, said some of the bodies have been kept for many years. He said the hospital is already in talks with the police and the Banjul City Council, for a mass burial of the bodies kept at the hospital’s mortuary. Mr. Sanneh said the public would be informed once a date for the burial is finalised. The PRO indicated that the corps pose no health or environmental hazard to patients or staff at the hospital. He however admitted that the increase in the number of corpses over a long period is becoming a challenge to the hospital.
Continue Reading >>The World Bank Country Director Nathan M. Belete, has said that the Gambia’s economy recovered in 2020 after it was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic 2020. Mr. Belete was addressing government officials, researchers, and World Bank officials at a gathering that discussed the country’s economic outlook, the structural reforms needed, and the development challenges. In its report published on Monday, the world bank says the Gambia performed better initially than in previous years after the global travel ban of 2020. It says lockdown measures initially caused job losses and food insecurity, but poverty levels are estimated to have fallen in 2021 as a result of pandemic-related support. The report on the Economic update indicates inflation is expected to stay high in the medium term, eroding household incomes, as global supply disruptions and high commodity prices continue. The services sector is projected to grow by 7.2 percent in 2022. Agriculture should grow by 2.0 percent in 2022, assuming favourable weather, and industrial output by 4.9 percent in 2022. On the demand side, remittances are expected to continue supporting private consumption and investment in construction and improve the external position. GDP growth is expected to rise to 6.2 percent in 2023 (3.3 percent per capita) and to 6.5 percent in 2024 (3.6 percent per capita). The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy M. Keita, explained measures that the government took to improve the country’s tax administration and streamline tax expenditure. He said a tax policy unit within the directorate of Economic policy and research was established, under which a comprehensive tax policy for the country will be developed.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia receives a new batch of four Peace Corps volunteers from the US after a two-year-long break caused by the covid-19 pandemic. The volunteers arrived in The Gambia on Monday and were received by the US Ambassador to the Gambia.The US Ambassador to the Gambia, Sharon L. Cromer in welcoming the volunteers reminded them of their role to further strengthen the US-Gambia relations while advancing the Peace Corps’ goals. She was accompanied by Kelleah Young, the Country Director of Peace Corps in the Gambia.More Peace Corps volunteers are expected to arrive in the Gambia this week and in October this year. The new Peace Corps volunteers will undergo language and culture training in the Lower River Region before being posted to rural communities for a two-year-long voluntary service. Most Peace Corps volunteers in the Gambia are part of the education group, as teacher trainers who will be working in rural schools, teaching pupils, and building the capacity of teachers. The Gambia is one of the more than 141 countries to which the United States sends Peace Corps volunteers.The first peace volunteers arrived in The Gambia in September 1967 at the invitation of the Gambia government. Since then, nearly two thousand Peace Corps volunteers served in The Gambia.
Continue Reading >>Veteran actor Dodou Njie of the Nfansung Jamano drama troupe has died today Sunday. Njie a talented actor and comedian is one of the pioneers of radio drama at the then radio Gambia.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia begins it's campaign for a second AFCON appearance with a one nil win over South Sudan. The match that was played at stade latdior in Thies saw Abdoulie Jallow convert from Musa Barrow assist. The scorpions now head to Congo for its next group game which also include Mali.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia Radio and Television service GRTS have completed installation of equipment for the match between Gambia and South Sudan. The production crew supported by a crew from RTS are now ready to bring the match live to TV screens in The Gambia and around the world. GRTS also thank GFF for their support in making sure that GRTS is able to execute the task.
Continue Reading >>The Gamba Radio and Television Services (GRTS) has finalised plans to provide live coverage of The Gambia's football match against the Republic of South Sudan in the current qualifying rounds of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Tournament. The match will be played in the Senegalese city of Thies today, kicking off at 4:00 p.m. To facilitate this coverage, the national broadcaster has deployed a large consignment of equipment and vehicles as well as a large team of technicians and Managers. GRTS' Director General, Mr. Malick Jeng, who is also in Thies to witness the operation, commended the staff for their expertise, dedication, hard work and sacrifice. The DG, who is returning from an official mission to Dakar, also thanked his Senegalese counterpart, Racine Talla, for deploying a significant amount of equipment and personnel to support the GRTS operation under the terms of an existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions. DG Jeng said GRTS was covering the match as a national duty but also under the terms of a contract signed with the Confederation of African football (CAF).
Continue Reading >>President Adama Barrow has arrived in the Ghanaian Capital Accra to attend an extraordinary summit of ECOWAS to discuss to security and political situation in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso. The west African block has repeatedly urged the three countries to return to civilian rule following military coups. President Barrow will join leaders in the subregion on Saturday to put pressure on the military rulers to cede power to civilians.
Continue Reading >>The Food Safety and Quality Authority has ordered the closure of the Brikama fish market with immediate effect. The market was stopped from doing business following an assessment of the sanitary and hygienic conditions. Inspection officials say the decision to close the market was due to its unhygienic and unhealthy environment. They raise concern over the lack of a proper drainage system. Director-General of the Gambia Food Safety and Quality Authority Mamodou Bah who led the inspection team says the situation of the market is not in line with food safety standards. Mr. Bah said his office closed the market in accordance with the food safety act until the standards are met at the facility. The measure he explained include the construction of a proper drainage system and the provision of good cold storage Facilities for the proper preservation of fish.The Chairman of the Brikama Market Committee Foday Manjang disclosed that over four hundred thousand Dalasi worth of fish was at the market at the time of its closure. Manjang said he had unsuccessfully engaged the ministry of fisheries to address the challenges.Kaddy Janko, a fish vendor, explained that she spent over 9 thousand dalasis to buy the consignment of fish in her fridge which she now fears losing. However, Food safety authorities have now allowed vendors to transfer their stock elsewhere. Other vendors and tailoring shops close to the fish market were also ordered to leave for health reasons.
Continue Reading >>The Minister of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Sillah ends his familiarisation tour at the Jambur road project. He met senior operations and safety manager, Anthony Keita. The Jambur road is a 5.2km road maintenance programme. Mr Keita explains that the road is being rehabilitated due to its poor state. The contractor Toney Elhajie, told the Minister that mechanical challenges delayed work but assured him that the road will be completed in a month. The Minister in turn thanked the local leaders for their cooperation and expressed happiness with some progress registered at the various project sites across the country. He however expressed dissatisfaction at the rate of progress of the works and warned that government would not tolerate substandard work.
Continue Reading >>The Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah has visited roads being constructed in the North Bank of the Gambia as part of his tour of projects under his ministry. Roads lot 1 & 2 project consultant Ya Amie Ceesay, told the minister that the Project requires the implementation of health, safety, and environmental management measures during the execution of the works as well as temporary traffic diversions along the right of way. She said the overall work progress of the 29km road stretching to the riverside is 100% excluding the 16km addendum of section one of the Sabasukoto to Bambali road. She added that all major works on the road from Ngeyen Sanjal to Sarakunda are fully completed except for the installation of road furniture and safety measures before it is open to traffic. The works include the construction of Pavement, bituminous surfacing, drainage structures, parking lanes and environmental, health safety management, road signage with traffic signboards, and a guardrail at the high embankments.
Continue Reading >>The President His Excellency Adama Barrow on Wednesday met with the Manjago “Alkalolu” from the Kombo South District of the West Coast Region. The village heads represented the Manjago communities, who have expressed concerns about illegal encroachments on their ancestral land by neighbouring groups, leading to ongoing disputes and threats of violence.After the meeting, David Cardoman Gomez, the Alkalo of Faalah village shared that the Manjago communities are worried about these developments but are committed to addressing the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation, as they are law-abiding citizens. Gomez emphasised that the Manjago people are third-generation Gambians, having inherited their land from their great-grandfathers who arrived in the country long before British colonial rule. He expressed hope that the President and his government would work to resolve the land disputes affecting the Manjago community and return the land to its rightful owners, as outlined in the constitution and land policy.Yusupha Gomez, another community leader, conveyed sincere gratitude to President Barrow for hearing their concerns. He noted that through dialogue with all parties involved, an amicable solution could be reached regarding the land disputes. However, he advised the Manjago community to legally document their land to protect it from encroachments by speculators and neighbouring communities.Mr Gomez described President Barrow as tolerant, accommodating, and open to dialogue, expressing hope that the meeting would lead to a positive outcome, as they had presented a comprehensive report to him.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, H.E. Pa Musa Jobarteh, recently presented his Letters of Credence to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, formally accrediting him as The Gambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia.The ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace in Belgrade.Ambassador Jobarteh conveyed fraternal greetings from President Adama Barrow to the Serbian President, Government, and people. He underscored Banjul’s commitment to deepen bilateral ties with Belgrade.During a tête-à-tête with President Vucic, the two discussed key areas for cooperation where both nations could benefit, including higher education, agriculture, engineering, tourism, and ICT.Ambassador Jobarteh highlighted The Gambia’s interest in agricultural mechanisation and scholarships for Gambians to study at Serbian universities, saying both would “greatly contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country.” The two sides also agreed to explore economic cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce of The Gambia and Serbia.President Vucic welcomed Ambassador Jobarteh to Serbia and congratulated him on his appointment. He noted The Gambia’s developing political and economic progress and reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to support Banjul in the priority areas raised by the ambassador.Ambassador Jobarteh is The Gambia’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, with concurrent accreditation to Serbia.
Continue Reading >>On the sidelines of his visit to the Republic of the Congo, President Adama Barrow met with representatives of the Gambian Association in Brazzaville. The meeting created space for discussions on national issues and the challenges facing the community, where thousands of Gambians have lived for decades.Community head and Consular Saikou Jawara thanked President Barrow for the visit, saying it reinforces the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Congo and The Gambia. He described Gambians in Brazzaville as peaceful, united, and law-abiding, a reputation he said has earned them respect from local authorities. Jawara noted that residents spent hours at the airport to welcome the President. He appealed for government support to facilitate passports and ID cards to help members regularise their immigration status and access jobs.Demba Cham, an executive member of the association, echoed the request. He praised Barrow for development initiatives back home, saying the community has been following The Gambia’s infrastructure and electricity expansion projects closely. Cham called the projects evidence of the government’s commitment to improving lives and urged the President to help Gambians in Congo obtain national documents.Foreign Affairs Minister Serign Modou Njie commended the community for the welcome given to the President and his delegation. He said Gambians in Congo had shown patriotism and love for the country’s leadership and reassured them that the government would look into their concerns.President Barrow expressed gratitude to the community for turning out in large numbers at the airport. He advised them to remain united, hardworking, and respectful of the host country’s laws. The President said The Gambia has undergone unprecedented transformation, crediting democracy for restoring trust and opening new opportunities with development partners.“As the President, I love The Gambia more than anyone else because The Gambia is my project, and I am happy when Gambians are happy,” Barrow told the gathering. He cited roads built to last a century as part of his legacy. He urged the community to organise and compile a list of eligible citizens so the government can dispatch teams to issue national documents, in line with policy.In the December election, Barrow pledged to hold a “free, fair and peaceful election” and to “respect the outcome of the vote.” He added that The Gambia, under his leadership, has seen remarkable progress in infrastructure and electricity, with more developments planned in the coming years.Closing the meeting, the President declared himself an honorary member of the association and promised to forward his contributions as a gesture of support and goodwill to Gambians in Congo Brazzaville.
Continue Reading >>His Excellency Mohammed BS Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, recently met with members of the Gambian Community in Bronx, New York.The visit underscores the Government of The Gambia's continued commitment to engaging with Gambians living abroad, listening to their concerns, and strengthening the bond between the homeland and the diaspora.
Continue Reading >>Delegates gathered at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre for the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) Assembly's official opening and its 20th Anniversary celebration. The event, led by Gambia's Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay, included representatives from AUB member countries, the European Union of Broadcasting, cabinet ministers, and key media partners.The focus was on overcoming challenges and enhancing public broadcasters in Africa. This is the second such gathering in Banjul, the first being in 1998 when it was known as the URTNA General Assembly. This year's event is themed: "AUB, 20 Years at the Service of African Media.”Speeches during the opening ceremony emphasised the necessity for African media to take the lead in telling African stories, while also addressing financial and infrastructural challenges, press freedom, the transition to the digital landscape, and the need for increased government support for public service broadcasters.Abdoulie Sey, the Director General of The Gambia Radio and Television Services praised the AUB for choosing GRTS to host this significant event, expressing his institution’s commitment to reform and acknowledging the government's support for media growth.Abdoulie Sey, the Director General of The Gambia Radio and Television Services (PC: Information Ministry)Challenges such as limited financial backing, the high cost of sports rights, and digital evolution were also underscored.Cleophas Barore, the president of AUB, urged governments to assist public broadcasters in securing rights for continental and global sports events.Speaking through an interpreter, Louisette Ndedi, the Secretary General of CONFEJES, emphasised the importance of the assembly finding solutions to these challenges.Due to the government's reforms aimed at strengthening democracy in The Gambia, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, The Gambia’s Information Minister, stated on behalf of President H.E. Adama Barrow that the Barrow-led administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to media freedom. “Here in The Gambia, there is no journalist in prison,” he said.Dr Ismaila Ceesay, The Gambia’s Information Minister (PC: Information Ministry)The information minister further commended GRTS for its unwavering efforts in providing accurate information and delivering quality services.As the African Union of Broadcasting celebrates its 20th anniversary, it has reaffirmed its ambition to leverage content exchange as a strategic tool for cooperation and a means of media sovereignty.
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