In the evolving landscape of transportation, the concept of smart transportation is gaining traction worldwide, smart transportation leverages digital technologies to optimize and enhance the efficiency of urban mobility.
African countries like Kenya are pioneering innovative solutions that redefine the way people move, platforms like Uber have revolutionized traditional taxi services by allowing users to conveniently order rides through a mobile application. This shift not only provides a seamless experience for commuters but also improves the overall efficiency of transportation networks.
In Gambia, citizens face formidable challenges accessing transportation, leading to increased hardships in daily commuting. Insufficient infrastructure, limited public transportation options, and economic constraints contribute to a struggle for many Gambians seeking reliable means of travel.
The inadequate road network in some regions exacerbates transportation difficulties, with poorly maintained roads and lack of proper signage hampering smooth traffic flow. This not only prolongs travel times but also poses safety risks to commuters.
Some frequent road users lamented the difficulties they face while navigating the daily traffic.
‘I wish I would be able to order a taxi or Uber from any location and not have to struggle to board a loaded bus, van, or taxi every day, we are in a digital era, and by utilizing it, life will be much easier’-said Fatou Njie, a commuter
As the Gambia strives for progress, considering the adoption of smart transportation systems becomes imperative, according to Ebrima Colley, Deputy Permanent Secretary-Technical at the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, before the implementation of smart transportation in the Gambia’s national transportation system, several key strategies need to be taken into consideration to ensure successful planning, deployment, and integration.
The Gambia stands to benefit significantly from embracing Digital Public Infrastructure. By introducing similar services, the country can address challenges related to traffic congestion, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the overall commuting experience for its residents, therefore, without smart transportation, Public transportation remains limited, primarily relying on informal modes like shared taxis, vans, and minibuses.
However, concerns linger regarding the compatibility of smart transportation with the country’s road infrastructure.
The unpredictability of these services leaves citizens grappling with inconsistent schedules and overcrowded vehicles, making the daily commute a time-consuming and uncomfortable experience.
According to the Ministry of Transport, swift actions are underway to change the current status quo.
‘Currently, The Government of the Gambia is focused on improving Infrastructure Development requirements such as roads, energy and ICT. By investing in the necessary physical and digital infrastructure, this will ensure that the infrastructure can support the deployment of technologies such as connected vehicles, sensors, and smart traffic control systems.’ _Deputy Permanent Secretary-Technical, Ministry of Transport
The convenience of on-demand transportation services, coupled with the integration of digital payment methods, contributes to a more connected and accessible urban environment.
As the global community increasingly gravitates toward smart transportation solutions, the Gambia has the opportunity to position itself at the forefront of technological advancements in the transportation sector. By learning from successful implementations in countries like Kenya, the Gambia can create a modern, efficient, and user-friendly transportation system that meets the evolving needs of its citizens.
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Following the successful conclusion of the Inter-regional African Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sports, held at the International Conference Centre, representatives from the sub-region visited President Barrow on Tuesday afternoon to provide an update on the meeting's agenda.The primary objective of the anti-doping meeting was to establish a collaborative network aimed at enhancing sports governance, thereby promoting clean sports and upholding the ethics and integrity of athletes against the use of prohibited substances.On behalf of the government and the people of The Gambia, President Barrow expressed his deep appreciation to the delegates for selecting The Gambia as the host for this significant event. He emphasized the crucial role of sports in fostering economic growth and national development, noting its capacity to promote unity and strengthen national cohesion.As a signatory to the anti-doping convention, alongside 191 other countries, President Barrow assured the delegates of his unwavering commitment to supporting efforts that safeguard the integrity of sports. He underscored that achieving success in this field necessitates the implementation of robust safeguarding policies.The Minister for Youth and Sport, Honourable Bakary Y. Badjie, expressed gratitude for the support extended by the President and the government towards initiatives that advance sports development. He advocated for the implementation of drug testing across all sporting levels to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing substances, highlighting the detrimental impact that substance abuse has on athletes and national achievements.The meeting also featured ministers from various sub-regions, who conveyed their gratitude to the President for his supportive role during the event and his visionary approach to this important agenda.
We wish to inform you that our normal transmission is currently interrupted due to significant electrical installation work being carried out at the GRTS TV station. We are diligently working to resolve this issue and anticipate resuming normal operations at the earliest opportunity.We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.
During his inaugural visit to Kenya to attend the 61st Independence Anniversary celebration of the Republic of Kenya, President Adama Barrow participated in Jumu’ah prayers at a Nairobi Mosque on Friday. He was accompanied by his delegation and the Kenyan Minister of Mines, Ali Hassan Joho E.G.H. President Barrow received a warm welcome from the Imam and congregation, expressing his gratitude for being honored as a member of their community. As a practicing Muslim, he emphasized the importance of attending Friday prayers wherever he travels. He also thanked President William Ruto for inviting him as the Guest of Honour for Kenya's Jamhuri Day celebration. Following the prayers, President Barrow enjoyed a traditional Kenyan Nyama Choma lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, the Gambian leader visited the Ken-Gen Geothermal Power Plant, recognised as the second largest in the world, located approximately a twenty-minute flight from Nairobi. The plant has a production capacity of 800 megawatts. Later that day, President Barrow met with Honourable Julius Migos Ogamba, the Kenyan Minister for Education, and his team at the hotel. Their discussions focused on potential collaborations in the education sector. With the necessary political will, President Barrow directed his team to engage in further discussions with experts to advance this partnership. The Gambia's Honorary Consul in Kenya, Ambassador Dr. John O. Kakonge, was present and assigned to follow up on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding. Additionally, the Consul accompanied representatives of the Gambian student body in Kenya for a courtesy call on President Barrow. This group was led by Abdou Rahim Jallow, a PhD student in Civil Engineering, along with Muhammed Lamin Kebbeh and Nyima Touray, who are studying in various fields. President Barrow commended the students for representing The Gambia positively. Currently, an average of thirty Gambian students are enrolled in Kenyan institutions. Before his departure on Saturday, President Barrow visited a model affordable housing scheme designed for low-income earners and residents of slums. He was led on a tour by Honourable Alice Wahome, the Minister for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, to observe the ongoing construction of high-rise buildings initiated by President Ruto. The construction site employs approximately 3,000 people each day. Reflecting on the visit, President Barrow expressed appreciation for the project’s potential to improve the lives of disadvantaged citizens, considering it a source of inspiration. President Barrow's official delegation to Kenya included Honourable Mod K. Ceesay, Minister and Chief of Staff; H.E. Jainaba Jagne, the outgoing Gambian Ambassador to the African Union; and Ousman Sowe, Director General of the State Intelligence Services of The Gambia.
State House, Banjul, 18th November 2024: The general public is hereby informed that His Excellency the President, acting under Section 71(1) of the Constitution, has created a new Ministerial portfolio within the office of the President. Alongside this role, the new Minister will also serve as the Chief of Staff to the President, a position now removed from the public service framework.As Chief of Staff and Minister at the Presidency, the office holder will serve as a key adviser and administrator to the President, ensuring efficient coordination of presidential priorities, engagements, and functions. The Chief of Staff will ensure the President's decisions are effectively implemented across all relevant ministries and departments. Additionally, the Minister will oversee the daily operations of the Office of the President and coordinate the work of presidential advisors, ensuring their recommendations align with the President’s agenda.Accordingly, and acting under section 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Mod K. Ceesay as Chief of Staff and Minister at the Presidency, effective from 18th of November 2024.Additionally, in accordance with Section 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President has appointed Dr. Habibatou Drammeh as the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education and Mr. Lamin Jabbi as the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.Merging the Roles of Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil ServiceIn a similar vein, His Excellency the President, acting under Section 80 of the Constitution, has decided to merge the roles of Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service with the Secretary to Cabinet.This merger aims to enhance efficiency in fulfilling these traditionally separate roles. The Secretary to Cabinet guides policy development in Cabinet meetings, while the Head of the Civil Service ensures these policies are implemented across ministries and departments. Consolidating these roles with a single individual helps bridge gaps in understanding and ensures a smooth transition from policy to action. Furthermore, the decision is supported by the belief that having one person oversee both policy formulation at the Cabinet level and its execution in the civil service reduces bureaucracy and reinforces a stronger chain of accountability for delivering results.Accordingly, and acting under Section 168(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Alieu Njie as Secretary to Cabinet and Head of Civil Service, effective from 15th of November 2024.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres Friday received President Adama Barrow in his office on the sidelines of the UNGA79. The two discussed the impressive democratic gains and highly successful transitional justice programme in The Gambia. The President updated Secretary-General Guterres on three phases of the TRRC process, seeking to bring about justice, reparation, and reconciliation for victims.SG Guterres commended President Barrow’s leadership in the region and assured him of the UN support for The Gambia’s agenda toward sustainable development. The United Nations Boss encouraged the maintenance of a peaceful co-existence in and around The Gambia, adding “Maintain it that way Mr President”. President Barrow thanked the UN SG for the renewal of its peace-building support programme for The Gambia critical to delivering justice to victims. The President is also committed to working with ECOWAS, AUC and the UN during the processes.
President Barrow Wednesday hosts his Spanish counterpart, His Excellency Mr Pedro Sanchez Perez Castejon President of The Government of Spain, for a State Visit. The visit marks an important occasion as the two States signed two significant memoranda of understanding on Circular Migration and Security Cooperation. The two agreements are crucial for facilitating legal migration and ensuring stability and security.The Circular Migration agreement is expected to enable Gambians to legally migrate to Spain to work in industries to tackle labour shortages in Spain. On the other hand, the Security Cooperation Agreement aims to enhance cooperation in addressing security challenges, through the exchange of information and intelligence to combat organised crime and other security threats.By addressing key areas such as migration and security, both nations aim to unlock new opportunities for mutual benefit, enhancing their partnership.The State visit highlights the strengthening of ties between The Gambia and Spain, focusing on bilateral development.The state visit to The Gambia marks a milestone in the relationship between the two countries. The outcomes of this visit are anticipated to drive further progress in strengthening the partnership between The Gambia and Spain.
President Adama Barrow continues his tour of industrial sites in the Central River Region with a visit to the Hamidou Jah Farm in Baya Bah in Sami District and the Swami Gambia Banana plantation in Lower Fulladu District.The tour accorded President Barrow the opportunity to assess first-hand the impact of these investments on the agricultural sector.Central River Region is steadily becoming the breadbasket of the country as private sector investors are changing The Gambia's agriculture landscape with a renewed focus on commercializationHamidou Jah is a business tycoon known in business circles as one of the most successful oil and general merchandise dealers. After making his fortune in business, Hamidou is now trying his hand at farming.He has just acquired a 120-hectare piece of land in Baya Bah, some 15km from the main Passamas Laminkoto Highway.President Barrow has made agricultural mechanization and commercialization a key pillar of his government's policy, with its potential to lead economic growth, enhance food security and create employmentMr Jah has already put up a team of agricultural experts from the Gambia and Pakistan, who are now working to transform his piece of land into one of the most productive.The President recognized Hamidou Jah's passion and his potential to contribute to the country's national food security, which has now become more urgent, given the current global dynamics.H.E. Adama Barrow tasked all the relevant government agencies to provide the private sector with the necessary support to help them realize their goals.The President and delegation also visited the Swami Gambia banana plantation in CRR South where he was briefed on the operations by the General Manager Mansukh Bhudiya.President Barrow was taken on a conducted tour of the farm; visiting the nursery shed where the right varieties are nursed under the suitable conditions and the water treatment and supply system which sources water from the River Gambia.The innovative, cost-effective and sustainable farming system has made the Swami banana plantation a model for farmers. It currently has 450 thousand plants, also making it the largest plantation in the country.The President said he is highly impressed with this model, and thanked the Swami Gambia management and staff for the work. The farm employs over 200 workers, mostly women, from Buruko and the neighbouring villages. The farm is expected to reach full capacity with an annual production of 8000 tons.
African Commission on Human and People’s Rights convened the opening of the 79th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. The convention in Banjul, brought dignitaries and stakeholders across the African continent to discuss thematic matters for the sustainability of human rights advocacy.The 79th session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights unveils a crucial theme anchored on ‘Educating an African fit for human rights.’The speech of Remy Ngoy Lumbu, chairperson of ACHPR, centred on the unrest and conflicts facing the African continent. He cited challenges affecting women, such as sexual violence and discrimination, as he urged the Gambia government to scale up efforts to repeal FGM laws.Addressing the convention, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Gambia’s Foreign Affairs MinisterSaid the Gambia government is committed to promoting human rights to boost reforms that include the implementation of plans presented by the Truth Commission - TRRC.For over two decades of dictatorship, the Gambia under former President Yahya Jammeh witnessed a pervasive system of forceful disappearances and extrajudicial executions that required effective transitional justice and reforms to reshape the country’s emerging democracy.As enshrined in the Charter of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the commission is moving to strengthen human rights structure and mechanisms alongside the promotion of friendly settlement of disputes grappling the African continent.ACHPR is a charter established by the African Union to advocate for human rights, democracy and good governance on the continent. The commission has built a robust legacy of transformative impact, empowering individuals and organizations.
Lieutenant General Mamat O. Cham, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of The Gambia Armed Forces, along with the Defense Minister and a delegation from the military, commenced a nationwide tour of military deployments across the country. The objective of this tour is to facilitate direct interaction between the CDS and troops under his command, enabling him to assess their work environments, living conditions, and challenges firsthand. As the professional head of the Armed Forces, this visit signifies the first of its kind since Lieutenant General Cham's appointment as Chief of Defence Staff. His first stop was at Barra, where he visited the ECOMIG forces of Gancoy 7 at Fort Bullen, where he was accorded a warm welcome by the Ghanaian soldiers. CDS Cham was briefed in detail on the tasks and duties assigned to the Ghanaian troops stationed there. Additionally, he witnessed a special presentation by the Ghanaian ECOMIG forces, showcasing their methods for handling riot control operations within the North Bank region. CDS Cham commended the Ghanaian soldiers for their exemplary role, highlighting them as a contingent that epitomizes professionalism within the Ghanaian Armed Forces. He noted that the Ghanaian Armed Forces had successfully won the hearts and minds of the local population within the North Bank region. The Defense Minister also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of unity and professionalism among the Ghanaian soldiers in their duties. The delegation conducted a tour of the facility before proceeding to Njongon's military post. Activity at Njongon was distinctive as CDS Cham engaged with the local community, focusing on the imperative of maintaining and fostering peace. Villagers expressed gratitude to the Gambian troops stationed at Njongon, citing their presence as a source of safety and security. Army troops also had the opportunity to voice their concerns during discussions with the Army Chief. Issues raised included capacity building, improvement of hygiene standards, and motivation. This aligns with CDS Cham's objective of gathering firsthand information on their working conditions. CDS Cham assured the troops that their challenges would be ‘addressed,’ emphasizing the importance of the men in uniform as role models of discipline and commitment.
We regret to announce the passing of our former Director General, Malick Jeng. He passed away on Saturday morning at his residence. Mr Jeng has served with diligence and commitment as the D.G. of the State Broadcaster. He presided over the return of GRTS to satellite transmission. He equally worked to ensure GRTS covered major national and international events involving The Gambia.The late Malick Jeng was a devoted Muslim who was greatly concerned about staff welfare. A jovial and compassionate individual who treats the staff with so much respect and care. GRTS Management is saddened by the passing of Mr Jeng, who greatly contributed to the transformation of GRTS. Management extends its condolences to the family and the entire country and pray that Allah have mercy on his soul and grants him Janatul Firdausi.
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