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Agric. Minister Launches the African Emergency Food Production Facility

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Demba Sabally, on Friday 23rd September 2022 launched the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF). The facility is supported by the African Development Bank through the Rice Value Chain Transformation Project (RVCTP).The AEFPF is additional financing that follows the joint meeting of the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance of the African Union on the African Emergency Food Production plan in which The Gambia participated. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr. Sabally informed the gathering that the Government of The Gambia is taking major strides to transform the Agriculture sector in addressing food security and meeting the nutritional needs of its people.He noted The Gambia’s high dependence on imports for staple and key commodities and said it has deepened the country’s vulnerability to external shocks such as global pandemics and crises.  

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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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PRESIDENT BARROW LAUNCHES 20.5KM ROAD IN NIAMINA, ENDING DECADES OF WAIT

President Adama Barrow has congratulated the people of Niamina on the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a 20.5 km road that will connect dozens of villages across the vast district. The President made this announcement during a meeting with three communities in Mali Kunda, Niamina West.After decades of unfulfilled promises, the people of Niamina are finally witnessing a significant development as President Barrow laid the foundation stone for the road at a ceremony in Choya, Niamina West. This event marks a historic milestone for the community.During the meeting in Mali Kunda, residents warmly welcomed the President and expressed their gratitude for what they describe as “the most important development in their lives.”Gelajo Jallow, the Alkalo of Mali Kunda, expressed deep emotions as he recalled the long wait for this road to be constructed. He stated that this event represents “the happiest day of his life.” The Alkalo pointed out that the “poor road conditions have been utilised by the opposition to criticise the government, but now that the President has laid the foundation stone, it will put that issue to rest and convince the people of Niamina that the National People's Party (NPP) is development-oriented.”This sentiment was shared by all the residents of Niamina who spoke at the meeting. Mamadu Jallow, the youth representative; Chief Ngagne Danfa of Niamina Dankunku; and Oumie Ceesay, the women’s representative, all acknowledged the various developments that have positively impacted Niamina.They agreed that this road project is unprecedented, being the most significant need of the community. With electricity and water now accessible, the speakers commended President Barrow for this bold initiative. They pledged to ensure a “massive victory for the NPP in the upcoming Presidential election in December,” as the overwhelming majority of people recognise the value of this new development.Sulayman Sawaneh, Chairman of the Janjanbureh Area Council, recalled his childhood days of walking this challenging road to reach school, describing those experiences as a “difficult chapter in his life.” Like others, he expressed profound gratitude to President Barrow for keeping his promise.For Honourable Samba Jallow, the National Assembly Member for Niamina Dankunku, this event is the happiest day of his life, marking the end of many years of waiting. “This is a proud day for me because this road has been our biggest nightmare. It will now cement my legacy,” he added.Honourable Jallow reflected on how the road has been a political talking point but noted that “even the opposition will acknowledge this as a turning point in the development of Niamina.”Governor Ousman Bah of the Central River Region (CRR) stated, “This project is the result of a meticulous strategy by the government to respond to the needs of the people.” He emphasised that CRR has received “its fair share of development under President Barrow,” a sentiment that resonates with the residents. He urged the people of the region to “carefully weigh their options and vote for continuity.”Honourable Borom Sowe of Niamina West also expressed his happiness and gratitude to President Barrow, noting that this project will “strengthen his legacy.”Sulayman Sumareh, the Director General of the National Roads Authority, revealed that over the last five days, President Barrow has laid “15 foundation stones” for the construction of “900 km of roads in the Upper River and Central River Regions.” He credited this success to “President Barrow's leadership qualities, foresight, and charisma.”In his keynote address, President Adama Barrow described Mali Kunda as a “historic village in Niamina,” emphasising the strategic and symbolic nature of the meeting's location. He paid tribute to the elders, men, women, and youth of Niamina for their strong turnout, which reflects their love and support.The President praised the First Lady for her efforts in complementing the work of his government, revealing that her foundation has already invested “D27 million in an Accident and Emergency ward at Bansang Hospital, the first of its kind in the provinces.”He added that the “First Lady’s Foundation is also building three maternity wards for D30 million to support safe deliveries at three health facilities in the country.” These initiatives, according to President Barrow, “underscore the First Lady's commitment to Gambian women.”Discussing the road's potential impact on Niamina, President Barrow said, “This is the fulfilment of a promise made to the people.” He remarked, “My opponents have always doubted me, but I always deliver on my promises, much to their disappointment.”The President reassured the people of Niamina that they will receive everything they have lacked for the past 50 years, citing the provision of electricity and water as examples. He challenged the community to “critically assess the politicians who come to them.”

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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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PRESIDENT BARROW JOINS GRA IN HONORING 33 TOP TAXPAYERS AT 8TH AWARDS

The Gambia Revenue Authority held its 8th Taxpayer Awards at a hotel in Bijilo. Many important people attended, including President Adama Barrow, government ministers, private company leaders, and GRA staff.The purpose of the awards is to appreciate taxpayers who follow tax rules and to show how important taxes are for the country’s growth. For the third year in a row, Africell, a mobile service provider, was recognised as the biggest taxpayer.President Barrow was the special guest at the event, which has become a regular part of the GRA's yearly activities.These awards are not just a celebration for the GRA; they also support its goal of collecting resources needed for the country's development.Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe shared that over the last 20 years, the GRA has made great strides in increasing the money it collects, often surpassing set targets. This success is due to strong management and efforts to improve the system.He assured everyone that the GRA is committed to collecting domestic resources to help the government’s development plans. The GRA chief also thanked taxpayers for meeting their legal duties and promised to continue working together with all partners to ensure compliance.Dawda Sarr, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, praised President Barrow for his important support, which has helped make the GRA a strong agency for gathering resources for the government.He added that the GRA is on track to reach its target for 2026. It has already collected over D7 billion in tax revenue in the first quarter, which is a record for tax collection.President Barrow acknowledged the important role of taxpayers in developing the country, saying that progress relies on their contributions.He mentioned that his government's policy focuses on using local resources for development instead of relying heavily on foreign help, loans, or grants. He proudly stated that the GRA has met and even exceeded all its targets in the last ten years.The President also thanked taxpayers for their support, highlighting that their contributions are vital for continuous development. He noted that taxes are reinvested in building roads and other important infrastructure to improve the lives of the people in The Gambia.Due to the conflict in the Middle East, the global economy has been affected, causing fuel prices to rise. The President assured that his government is taking steps to address this situation, including subsidising fuel prices to keep them affordable for everyone.The event wrapped up with certificates and prizes being given to 33 companies, organisations, and individuals for their excellent compliance and timely tax submissions.Africell was recognised again as the largest taxpayer of the year for the third time. President Adama Barrow also received an award for his continued support of the Gambia Revenue Authority.

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TOLAC 2026 ENDS WITH MoU DEAL BETWEEN GAMBIA, CANARY ISLANDS WRESTLING FEDERATIONS

Banjul, The Gambia – May 17, 2026In a landmark moment for sports diplomacy and international cooperation, the Wrestling Federation of the Republic of The Gambia and the Canary Islands (Spain) Wrestling Federation (Federación de Lucha Canaria) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting traditional wrestling as a powerful platform for cultural exchange, youth empowerment, education and sustainable social development.The agreement was signed during the closing ceremony of the prestigious 14th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament (TOLAC 2026), one of the region’s most important sporting and cultural events, held at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium in The Gambia. The championship concluded with a full house throughout the three-day event and was celebrated as a resounding success, attracting thousands of spectators, international delegations, and sports authorities from across West Africa.The strategic partnership unites both wrestling federations in a collaborative alliance focused on strengthening institutional cooperation, athlete development, technical training and international exchange programs.The official ceremony was attended by senior Gambian government officials, including Hon. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports; Hon. Mod K. Ceesay, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment; and Hon. Baboucarr Bouy, Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination and Delivery.Representing The Gambia, the agreement was signed by Matar Saine, President of the national wrestling federation, while Sonja Arup, Ambassador-at-Large of The Gambia and President of NGO STARUP, signed on behalf of the Canary Island Wrestling Federation, which was represented by its President, Francisco Rivero Vega.Institutional leaders and organisers highlighted the decisive role played by Sonja Arup following months of diplomatic coordination and technical negotiations that made the agreement possible. Her efforts were widely recognised as instrumental in establishing a long-term framework of cooperation between The Gambia and the Canary Islands focused on sports education, youth exchange, community empowerment and international collaboration through traditional wrestling.The Memorandum establishes an ambitious roadmap for cooperation centred on the technical and academic training of coaches, referees and sports administrators; the development of athlete and youth exchange initiatives; the organisation of international sporting and cultural events; and the promotion of research projects related to sport, health, education and heritage preservation.The agreement also places strong emphasis on gender equality, social inclusion, the participation of persons with disabilities and the prevention of violence in sport, reinforcing traditional wrestling as a powerful tool for social cohesion, peacebuilding and human development.The signing coincided with the successful conclusion of the TOLAC Wrestling Championship, which since Friday, May 15, transformed the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium into the epicentre of African traditional wrestling. Delegations from eleven West African nations, including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Benin and Togo, participated in the championship, generating enormous enthusiasm among Gambian fans and visitors from across the region.Widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most important sporting and cultural showcases, TOLAC 2026 once again demonstrated the extraordinary potential of traditional wrestling to strengthen regional integration, celebrate African cultural identity and inspire the next generation of young athletes.Organisers also emphasised the championship’s remarkable social impact and exceptional public participation, as the three-day event combined elite-level wrestling competitions with cultural exhibitions, educational activities and community programs designed to reinforce friendship, unity and cooperation among ECOWAS member states. The event concluded with a completely packed stadium and overwhelming public support, consolidating TOLAC 2026 as one of the most successful editions of the tournament.With the signing of this Memorandum, both federations open a new chapter in international sports cooperation, aspiring to transform traditional wrestling into a global platform for cultural dialogue, sports diplomacy and sustainable development, while strengthening relations between The Gambia and the Canary Islands (Spain).

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