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President Barrow appoints new cabinet

Press Release: Appointment of New Cabinet May 4th, 2022 The public is hereby informed that his Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia, acting under sections 70 (5) (a) and 71(4) (b) of the Republic of the Gambia, hereby relieves Her Excellency the Vice President and all ministers in the cabinet from their positions with immediate effect. His Excellency the president thanks them for their service to the nation and wishes them the best in their future endeavors. The public is further informed that His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of the Gambia acting on under sections 70(3) and 71 (3) of the constitution of the Republic of the Gambia is pleased to make the following appointments to his cabinet, with effect from Wednesday 4th of May 2022. 1. Vice president   Mr. Badara Alieu Joof2. Attorney General and Minister of Justice  Mr. Dawda A. Jallow 3. Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Dr. Mamadou Tangara4. Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Mr. Seedy Keita5. Minister of Defence   Serign Modou Njie 6. Minister of Interior    Mr. Seyaka Sonko 7. Minister of Tourism and Culture   Mr. Hamat N.K Bah 8. Minister of Lands and Regional Government and Religious Affairs Mr. Abba Sanyang 9. Minister of Agriculture     Dr. Demba Sabally10. Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure Mr. Ebrima Sillah11. Minister of Health    Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh 12. Minister of Basic and Secondary Education   Mrs. Claudiana Cole 13. Minister of Gender Children and Social Welfare   Mrs. Fatou Kinteh 14. Minister of Petroleum and Energy Mr. Abdoulie Jobe 15. Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources   Mr. Musa S. Drammeh 16. Minister of Higher Education Research Science and Technology Prof Pierre Gomez17. Minister of Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources Rohey John Manjang18.  Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Bakary Badgie Honourable Seedy Keita will continue to oversee the ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment until the formalisation of the appointment of the minister-designate. His Excellency the President acting under section 71 (1) of the constitution has created a new ministerial portfolio in charge of the public service, administrative reform, policy coordination, and delivery. The new minister of the public service, administrative reform, policy coordination, and delivery will have general oversight over the public service and shall work towards the formulation of policy geared towards institutionalising a culture of discipline, excellence, and accountability in the public service. Furthermore, the minister shall continuously review the inner workings of the administrative machinery of the government and make proposals for reform to reduce inefficiency and increase output. Finally, the minister shall be charged with developing frameworks for monitoring the implementation of government policy and for ensuring effective communication and horizontal coordination between ministries. Accordingly, and acting under section 71 (3) of the constitution of the Republic of the Gambia, his Excellency, the President is pleased to appoint Mr. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof as minister in charge of the Public Service, administrative reform, policy coordination, and delivery with effect from the 4th of May 2022. In light of the new changes, His Excellency the President hereby makes the following administrative changes to the public service and the office of the president. 1. With effect from the 4th of May 2022, the Secretary-General and Head of the civil service shall be the titular head of the personnel Management Office with the sole mandate of supervising the civil service and answerable to the minister. His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Mrs. Salimata E.T Touray as Secretary-General and Head of the Civil Service in accordance with section 168 subsection 1 of the constitution of the Republic of the Gambia, 1997. 2. Furthermore, the role of the Secretary-General as the administrative head of the office of the president shall be taken over by the Chief of Staff who shall be appointed by the President. His Excellency is therefore pleased to appoint Mr. Mod Ceesay as Chief of Staff. All correspondences for the President shall henceforth be addressed to the chief of staff. 3. Furthermore, his Excellency, the president has decided to decouple the ministry of information and communication infrastructure (MoICI) into two separate ministries namely (!) Ministry of Information and Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. The existing departments and their manpower under the old MoICI will now stand as sector-specific departments. In this regard:1) The Department of Information Services will now serve as the technical arm of the government charged with the implementation of policy initiatives for visibility, public relations, and access to information under the new ministry of information. Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) will continue to be the media conduit for the dissemination of information and public programming. 2) The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) under the old MoICI will be transformed into a stand-alone department under the new ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, with the primary objective of increasing internet access and driving innovation geared towards unlocking new pathways for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation, and technological advancement. These departmental structures already exist under the old MoICI with the necessary manpower, and under separate budget headings. Accordingly, and acting under section 71 (3) of the constitution of the Republic of the Gambia, His Excellency the President is pleased to appoint Lamin Queen Jammeh as Minister of Information. Honourable Ebrima Sillah will continue to oversee the new Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy until the formalisation of the appointment of the minister-designate.  

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The composition of President Barrow's new cabinet will be disclosed in a special GRTS broadcast at 6pm today.

The composition of President Barrow's new cabinet will be disclosed in a special GRTS broadcast at 6pm today.

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UK Human Rights Ambassador Hails Gambia’s Successful Democratic Transition

The British Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French was on Wednesday at statehouse to discuss with President Adama Barrow the Gambia's human rights situation. Ambassador French lauded the government's commitment to respect for the rights of the people and the promotion of democracy in The Gambia. She praised The Gambia’s successful transition to democratic governance since 2017 and noted noted the vibrancy of civil society organisations.

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Basse Market dispute resolved

Basse area council has announced that the controversy surrounding the Basse Market has been resolved. The council said the resolution of the dispute came after successful GALGA mediation. It could be recalled that a dispute erupted between the office of the Governor and the Area Council over over who should manage the newly built Basse market following its commissioning by President Adama Barrow.

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Bwiam General Hospital Successfully carries out Caesarean Delivery of triplets

A twenty year old woman from Senegal successfully gave birth to triplets at the Maternity Department/Theatre of Bwiam General hospital. The hospital announced the good news on its social media handle. The babies all female weighing 1.7kg, 1.9kg and 1.8kg it said were delivered through Successful Caesarean despite mother being anaemic, and transfused with 2 pints of whole blood. Dr. David Demba and team carried out the successful surgery. Mother and Babies are stable at the postnatal ward. Bwiam General Hospital, attracts large number of patients beyond its catchment area and across the borders daily.

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Police to deploy more officers on the roads

The Gambia police force say  new measures to avert the increasing road accidents will be introduced with immediate effect. The police said in a statement that  more boots will be deployed on the roads to enforce traffic rules and regulations. An Accident Response Squad and regular Highway Patrols will also be introduced. The police warned motorists to desist from flouting traffic rules and regulations

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World Food Programme launches cash assistance to victims of the cassamance conflict

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched cash transfers to assist internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees, and host families in Foni Kansala where conflict in the Senegalese Cassamance region led to cross-border displacement.One thousand two hundred households including approximately 10,000 women, men, and children, are targeted. Each household will be handed 2,330 Gambian Dalasis per month from April to June 2022. This assistance will help conflict-affected families, meet their basic food needs, and replenish destroyed or lost food stocks.Yasuhiro Tsumura, WFP Representative and Country Director in The Gambia said the beneficiaries already suffered from a difficult food security situation due to the poor harvest of last year, the socioeconomic fallout of COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising prices. This assistance comes at a time when the level of food insecurity and malnutrition is already very high in the country. The emergency response is being delivered in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCC). Targeted families were identified through a joint assessment conducted by WFP and UN partners in support of the Gambian Government.

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GFF condemns attacks on Gambian referee, and demand swift actions from FIFA and CAF

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) expresses concern over the sustained verbal attacks launched against the person of FIFA Gambian Referee, Mr. Bakary Papa Gassama, by Algerian nationals. The federation’s reaction came after attacks through the various forms of media on the Gambian referee as a result of Algeria’s 2-1 home defeat to Cameroon which Mr. Gassama officiated. A GFF statement on its social media handle says the Federation has lodged a formal complaint to the Algerian Football Federation on the matter. The GFF also requested that FIFA and CAF open investigations and disciplinary proceedings against the Head Coach of the Algeria National Football Team Mr. Djamel Belmadi for his remarks on a video clip and on an Algerian Television. GFF further demanded that the Algerian federation make a public statement condemning the actions of Mr. Belmadi and all the verbal attacks against Mr. Gassama. 

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President Adama Barrow receives Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs

President Adama Barrow on Monday received a special envoy of the Head of State of Burkina Faso at State House. The Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs Madam Olivia Rouamba was at Statehouse to deliver a special message to The Gambian leader from the Burkinabe leader Lt. Col. Paul Henri-Damiba. Burkina Faso is currently undergoing a transition following the overthrow of former president Marc Roche Kabore earlier this year. The Sub-regional body ECOWAS is leading mediation efforts amongst various political factions in the country to end the crisis. The country is also suspended by the regional bloc until civil order is restored.

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  • GRTS
  • April 27, 2022 12:52
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Agriculture tours project sites nationwide

The Minister of Agriculture and a team of experts recently embarked on a nationwide tour of project sites under the “Building Resilience against Food and Nutrition Insecurity project. The Project aimed at enhancing the capacity of farmers for better production.  The minister and the delegation's first point of call was the poultry project scheme for the ‘Back Way Returnees’ at Giboro and feeder road project sites at Pirang, Somita, and Bulanjor all in the West Coast Region. Speaking at various intervention areas the minister of Agriculture Amie Fabureh hailed community members for their commitment to the successful implementation of the project. She assured them of her office's resolve to empower youths to venture into poultry production among other areas. The Public Relations Officer of the poultry project Ousman Njie briefed the minister and her delegation on the daily upkeep of the facility, lack of transport facilities, and the insufficient number of layer birds as challenges confronting the business. The Project Manager of Gai Construction Company Abdou Jaine said work on the feeder road is in progress and assured the government of the timely completion of the work. The team later visited Kiang Kaiaf and Jenoi in the Lower River Region. 

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  • GRTS
  • April 27, 2022 12:46
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President Barrow declares a two day public holiday

His Excellency President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, has declared 2nd and 3rd May 2022 as public holidays throughout The Gambia to mark Labour Day and Eid-ul-Fitr. Official work resumes on Wednesday, 4th May 2022.

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Senegambia Bridge, an economic development driver

The Regional Governor of the Lower River Region has described the construction of the Senegambia Bridge as a success story in advancing the socio-economic development of The Gambia. Rohey John Manjang made the remark during an exclusive interview with GRTS. She said the bridge has eased transportation within the country as well as to other parts of the sub-region. Governor Manjang said the bridge has also enhanced trade in the region. The Senegambia Bridge links the southern and northern parts of The Gambia, while also connecting northern Senegal to the southern province of Casamance. Governor Rohey John Manjang said the construction of the bridge has further cemented the bilateral ties between the Gambia and Senegal. She noted that Government is constructing a new market in Soma to compensate for the loss of businesses that were operating at the Yelli Tenda-Bamba Tenda Crossing point. 

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WAREF Endorses President Barrow Ahead of December 5 Election

The Alliance for Reorientation and Economic Force (WAREF), led by Momodou Al Amin Bah, has endorsed President Adama Barrow ahead of the December 5 presidential election.WAREF, a political movement that describes itself as a revolutionary party, stormed the State House on Tuesday evening to formalise its alliance with the NPP-led Grand Alliance. The party is the latest to join the NPP as political realignment continues with barely a month to the polls.Mr Bah arrived at the State House accompanied by hundreds of supporters to formalise the alliance. He becomes the latest high-profile political figure to join the NPP-led Grand Alliance, handing President Barrow a major boost ahead of the election.According to the NPP Deputy Public Relations Officer, Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie, Mr Bah was engaged in intense negotiations with GDC leader Hon. Mama Kandeh and the Minister of Gender, Fatou Kinteh, who both convinced him to endorse President Barrow.WAREF's West Coast Chairman, Wuyeh Ceesay, confirmed the claim, saying their vision aligns with that of the NPP, which motivated them to endorse the President to ensure continuity and development. Mr Ceesay said that, as patriots, they put The Gambia's interest above personal interests and pledged to work with other stakeholders to ensure President Barrow's victory.Modou Jain, an executive member of WAREF, said his party believes in alliances that align with its interests, vision and mission. He said after carefully reviewing their options, they were convinced without doubt that the NPP was the best option. He defended their choice of partnership and reassured that WAREF will work tirelessly to achieve victory for President Barrow.Addressing the gathering, WAREF leader Momodou Al Amin Bah said his party is coming with ideas and projects that will deliver real impact for Gambians. He described WAREF as a revolutionary movement where leadership is built on trust and responsibility. He, however, argued that WAREF will not abandon its vision but has chosen a different path to achieve it.Mr Bah praised President Barrow for his charismatic leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to the Gambian people, reassuring that WAREF will mobilise its entire support base to empower President Barrow. He also commended Hon. Mama Kandeh and Minister Fatou Kinteh for convincing him to endorse the NPP.Minister Kinteh said WAREF, under the leadership of Mr Bah, has made the right decision because President Barrow is the only candidate with a proven track record of development over the last nine years. She described WAREF's decision as a patriotic move that underscores the party's commitment to development, progress and prosperity. She therefore challenged WAREF and its supporters to work with other stakeholders to attain victory.GDC leader Hon. Mama Kandeh also commended WAREF and its leadership for deciding to endorse the NPP-led Grand Alliance, which he said is poised to win the presidential election. Hon. Kandeh praised President Barrow as a tolerant, development-oriented and good leader whose development track record has touched the lives of every Gambian. He also called on supporters to maintain peace, remain tolerant and exercise restraint, adding that President Barrow will win by a landslide.The event also witnessed the defection of several people believed to be members of the opposition in Sanyang. They were welcomed by the Gender Minister and other officials, who hailed the move as a great victory for the NPP.In his remarks, President Barrow welcomed Momodou Al Amin Bah and WAREF into the Grand Alliance, reassuring him that every member of the coalition is equal. He commended Hon. Mama Kandeh and Fatou Kinteh for the work that led to the endorsement. He called on all stakeholders to work together in the best interest of the alliance, adding that his doors are open to all politicians who wish to join the NPP-led Grand Alliance. The President disclosed that the Grand Alliance is composed of diverse members united by a common desire to ensure continuity of development.President Barrow also challenged women across the country to join him on his nomination day on November 10 to send a clear message to his opponents. He again described the election as a vote for continuity and progress, arguing that he represents the future of the country. He finally called on all Gambians to vote for the NPP Grand Alliance on December 5.

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NAWEC, SOLARIS AFRICA SIGN $169M DEAL FOR 148.4MW SOLAR POWER PLANT IN JARRA SOMA

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has signed a Power Purchase and Implementation Agreement with Solaris Africa Limited for the construction of a 148.4-megawatt solar power plant in Jarra Soma.The plant will be equipped with a 200MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with 50MW capacity to supply electricity during peak hours.The signing ceremony was held at State House and presided over by His Excellency President Adama Barrow.The agreement was signed by the Managing Director of NAWEC, Mr Gallo Saidy, and the Vice President of Solaris Africa Limited, Mr Muctar Sey.The $169 million project forms part of the Government's ambitious plan to expand, diversify and modernise The Gambia's electricity sector to meet growing consumer demand.Historic and Game-ChangingSpeaking after the ceremony, the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Hon. Nani Juwara, described the agreement as historic and a game-changer."This is the largest solar project ever implemented in The Gambia and probably one of the biggest Battery Energy Storage Systems in West Africa," Minister Juwara said. He added that the project will double the country's current installed generation capacity.The Minister noted that the project underscores the Government's commitment to addressing the long-term energy needs of the country through clean, cheaper and more sustainable solutions.The Managing Director of NAWEC, Gallo Saidy, said the project represents a landmark development for NAWEC, as it will expand generation capacity, improve the flexibility of the electricity system and strengthen NAWEC's financial sustainability.This flexibility, he explained, will allow energy generated from the sun during the day to be stored and used at night to provide uninterrupted power supply to consumers, while also lowering NAWEC's average generation cost.Resilient and Sustainable PowerThe Vice President of Solaris Africa, Muctar Sey, said the project goes beyond increasing generation capacity."It will build the foundation for a more resilient, reliable and sustainable power system by ensuring that the grid is stable and dependable," Mr Sey said.He disclosed that the long-term aim is to transform The Gambia's energy landscape and accelerate its transition to renewable energy, with emphasis on reliability, affordability and sustainability.Phase 2 of the Soma Solar Power Plant is expected to be completed within 12 to 40 months.

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GAMBIA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ICC AT FREETOWN REGIONAL SEMINAR

The Gambia’s Justice Minister Dawda Jallow, accompanied by Ambassador Pa Musa Jobarteh, the Brussels ambassador accredited to the ICC, attended an ICC High-Level Regional Seminar in Sierra Leone aimed at strengthening cooperation and complementarity with the Africa Region under the theme: A partnership in fighting impunity for the gravest crimes under international law.The two-day event, held on 22-23 October 2026, began with a high-level delegation courtesy visit to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, led by the court’s Second Vice President, Her Excellency Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin. Given the challenges the ICC has faced with new sanctions imposed on the court, the delegation was reassured by President Bio’s strong support for the court. The event was well attended by ministers and ambassadors from the sub-region, with representatives from The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Benin, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia. H.E. Dr Michael Imran Kanu, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UN, co-facilitated the event with opening statements by the Court officials and ministers from Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Mauritania.   In her opening remarks, H.E. Justice Alapini-Ganou, who herself is under sanctions, stressed that Africans must remain true to our commitment and secure our values. She said Africa currently has 4 out of the18 ICC judges and remains the largest group with 33 member states. She expressed pride that the court is still attracting candidates despite enhanced sanctions and challenges, one of them being the Gambia’s candidate in the person of Justice Veronic Wright, who was accepted as a guest attendee. In sharing the Gambia’s experience, Minister Jallow stated that complementarity is not a line that separates the Court from national systems. It is a shared responsibility that works only when States build the capacity to try the gravest crimes at home and cooperate fully with the Court where national action falls short. He went on to remind member states that the Court has no police, no prisons and no territory, and that every witness and suspect brought before the Court is the primary responsibility of States, because the Court acts only when States are unwilling or unable to genuinely investigate or prosecute. He emphasised that cooperation is therefore a legal obligation, not a courtesy between the Court and its constituting Member States. A takeaway quote by Minister Jallow is that “Cooperation that is selective, slow or conditional is, in practice, nothing but impunity by another name.” He shared Gambia’s commitment by illustrating how in October 2016, under the previous government withdrew its membership to the ICC, but immediately rejoined in February 2017, under the new democratic government. ICC. He cautioned that states should remain members of the court by conviction, not by habit. To update on The Gambia’s transitional justice process, Minister Jallow said Gambia has now passed laws establishing a Special Accountability Mechanism and a Special Prosecutor's Office, and that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government approved the establishment of a hybrid Special Tribunal for The Gambia, culminating in the appointment of its first Special Prosecutor in April 2026.He echoed that these initiatives are merely foundations, not a finished building, because the Special Tribunal still needs sustainable funding while victims are still waiting for almost a decade. One of four priorities he noted to resolve some of Africa’s justice problems is the need for structured and honest dialogue between African States and the Court. According to Minister Jallow, many Africans have voiced the concern that international justice has been applied unevenly, and that those concerns deserve an answer, not dismissal. Justice, he said, cannot be selective; it must be seen to be consistently applied to the powerful and the weak alike, without regard to nationality or official position. “Let Freetown be remembered not for what we said about cooperation, but for what we resolved to do”.The seminar had several panellist who contributed case studies to demonstrate their views and aspirations in strengthening international justice cooperation. The seminar ended with a renewed, stronger commitment by member states to improve cooperation and partnerships in fighting impunity for the gravest crimes under international law.

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Russia’s Honorary Consul in The Gambia Awarded Pushkin Medal by President Putin at Kremlin

BANJUL, The Gambia, 4 November 2026 — Momodou Lamin Manga, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in The Gambia, has been awarded the prestigious Pushkin Medal by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state awards ceremony held at the Kremlin to mark Russia’s National Unity Day.According to an announcement by the Russian Embassy in The Gambia, Manga received the medal for his contributions to culture, the preservation of historical heritage, and his efforts to strengthen relations between peoples and promote Russian culture internationally.The Pushkin Medal is a Russian state decoration awarded to individuals for achievements in culture, arts, education, literature, and contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of international cultural cooperation.The ceremony, held on 4 November, brought together distinguished individuals from Russia and other countries who were recognised for their contributions to strengthening national unity and advancing international cooperation. Alongside Manga, several foreign public figures, scientists, and entrepreneurs received Pushkin Medals and Orders of Friendship.Manga’s recognition represents a significant milestone in the cultural and diplomatic relations between The Gambia and the Russian Federation.A former Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Manga was appointed Honorary Consul of Russia in The Gambia in 2015. Since his appointment, he has played a role in facilitating bilateral engagements, particularly in cultural diplomacy and people-to-people relations.Among the notable initiatives associated with his tenure was the establishment of the Russian Consulate’s presence in Banjul in 2016 and efforts to create opportunities for Gambian artists to access the Russian music market through a bilateral cultural agreement signed that same year.More recently, Manga has continued to participate in diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. In October 2026, Russian Ambassador Sergei Kruykov visited Banjul, underscoring renewed efforts to deepen diplomatic and bilateral relations.During the visit, Ambassador Kruykov described Manga as an “extraordinary diplomat” and expressed confidence in his ability to facilitate further progress in relations between Russia and The Gambia. Since then, the Russian Federation has sent a full ambassador to The Gambia, who has already presented his credentials The award of the Pushkin Medal places Manga among foreign nationals recognised by the Russian Federation for their contributions to cultural exchange, heritage preservation, and international cooperation.For The Gambia, the recognition also highlights the role of cultural diplomacy and the contributions of individuals working to build stronger international partnerships beyond traditional political and economic engagement. 

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GOV'T SIGNS LANDMARK INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT WITH GHANAIAN FIRM JOSPONG

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources has signed a landmark Integrated Waste Management Project with Ghanaian firm Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to collect, transform and manage waste in the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region.The signing ceremony was held at State House and presided over by President Adama Barrow. The project is expected to fundamentally address challenges related to waste collection, management and transformation, while creating jobs for thousands of Gambians.The agreement was signed by the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, and the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, as President Barrow looked on.Transforming Waste ManagementWaste remains a major challenge, particularly within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region, where local councils spend millions of Dalasis annually on collection, management and disposal.Under the terms of the agreement, Jospong Group — which specialises in waste collection, management and transformation and operates in 29 African countries — will develop waste collection and treatment facilities in Kanifing Municipality, Banjul and the West Coast Region.According to Chairman Agyepong, the company will build a complete waste management ecosystem, including treatment plants, waste trucks, tricycles and dustbins, while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Gambians.Mr Agyepong praised the Government's rapid infrastructural transformation and commended President Barrow for his leadership.A Milestone for The GambiaThe Minister of Environment, Hon. Rohey John Manjang, welcomed the partnership, noting that it will revolutionise waste collection, management and treatment in The Gambia. She expressed confidence that Jospong will deliver as stipulated in the contract.The Executive Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA), Dr Dawda Badgie, described the agreement as the culmination of years of work to develop an integrated waste management roadmap to comprehensively address challenges in the sector. He hailed it as a great milestone that underscores the Government's full commitment to solving the waste problem.Decommissioning of Bakoteh DumpsiteA key component of the partnership is the decommissioning of the Bakoteh landfill, which has been at the heart of waste collection and disposal in Kanifing Municipality for decades.The government plans to build a modern market on the site once decommissioned, to promote socio-economic development. The move will bring major relief to residents of Kanifing Municipality, particularly communities in Bakoteh and Manjai Kunda who have long endured the environmental and health hazards associated with the dumpsite. 

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PRESIDENT BARROW INAUGURATES DEMBA KUNDA - BASSE ROAD, LAYS FOUNDATION FOR FOOTBALL FIELD

President Adama Barrow on Saturday inaugurated the Demba Kunda–Numuyel–Manneh Kunda–Basse road at a grand ceremony in Demba Kunda attended by thousands of people from Jimara and Basse.The 14-kilometre road provides a vital corridor for beneficiary communities, enhancing access to markets, health facilities, schools and other social services. The project underscores President Barrow's commitment to road infrastructure as a foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.After nearly two years of construction, the road linking Basse to Manneh Kunda, Demba Kunda and Numuyel was officially opened. The President, flanked by the Minister of Works, officials of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and community leaders, cut the ribbon to mark the inauguration.The road is fully funded by the Government under the Rural Roads Infrastructure Project, which seeks to decentralise development to communities across the country.Wild CelebrationsAfter the ribbon-cutting, President Barrow drove through the new road to Demba Kunda. Crowds lined both sides of the road, cheering and thanking the President for fulfilling one of the most pressing needs of Jimara and Basse.As he approached Demba Kunda, thousands of people welcomed him with great fanfare and excitement, escorting him to the meeting grounds where elders lined up to greet him.The Alkalo of Demba Kunda, 94-year-old Alhaji Degumeh Ceesay Camara, went down memory lane, recalling when travelling from Demba Kunda to Numuyel and Basse was a nightmare."In the past, it took a whole day to travel from Demba Kunda to Basse, but now it takes minutes," the Alkalo said with pride, as he expressed profound gratitude to President Barrow for his commitment to the welfare of the people.He challenged the people of Demba Kunda, Numuyel, Manneh Kunda and Basse to vote for President Barrow, describing it as a duty and responsibility to enable him to continue his development agenda.Similar calls were made by the representative of the Chief of Jimara, Alhaji Julaba Ceesay, youth representative Swaibou Jagana, and women's representative Fatumata Kanteh. The speakers said all 87 villages in the area are united in their desire to keep President Barrow in power, describing the upcoming December 5 election as a foregone conclusion.They hailed the road as a major milestone that will open up Demba Kunda and Numuyel to the rest of the country.Veteran politician and NPP Regional Chairman, Alhaji Bubu Drammeh, praised President Barrow for the landmark development, noting the dramatic reduction in travel time."It used to take 25 minutes to travel just 3 kilometres to Basse. Now it takes only 3 minutes to reach the regional capital," Bubu said to loud applause. He predicted a landslide victory for President Barrow, saying his development track record is unmatched in Gambian history.The National Assembly Member for Jimara, Hon. Essa Conteh, and the Governor of URR, Samba Bah, also commended the President for transforming the Upper River Region through roads, schools, health facilities and electricity, and both predicted a landslide victory in December.Built to Last 20 YearsThe Managing Director of the National Roads Authority, Sulayman Sumareh, said the 14km road is built to the highest quality standards and can last 20 years. Given its strategic location, he said the road is fitted with proper drainage to address perennial flooding in Numuyel and Demba Kunda, and will also be fitted with solar streetlights. He advised motorists to use the road with care.In his inaugural address, President Barrow said the road is more than a physical link."It brings better access, greater economic opportunity, easier movement, and a stronger connection between rural communities and the national road network," the President said.He noted that the people of Demba Kunda and Numuyel have long grappled with a poor road network that hampered development, but expressed confidence that the new road will enable them to realise their full potential.President Barrow reaffirmed infrastructure as a key priority of his government, with emphasis on decentralisation to reach every community. He, however, admonished road users and motorists to use the road responsibly and respect safety regulations.He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and promised to expand the road network in Jimara and the wider URR, disclosing that 380km of roads are earmarked for construction if given another mandate.He appealed to the people of Jimara to vote for him and called on all Gambians to exercise their franchise in December, saying the stakes are very high and the outcome will determine the future of the country.The President later proceeded to lay the foundation stone for the construction of the Demba Kunda football field.

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