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PRESIDENT BARROW HANDS OVER MILLIONS IN FARM EQUIPMENT

His Excellency,  President Adama Barrow, has handed over agricultural equipment valued at millions of Dalasis to selected farmers throughout the country during a ceremony held in Brikamaba, CRR South. The equipment, which includes power tillers, milling machines, threshers, combined harvesters, and tricycles, is funded by the World Bank through the GIRAV project. This handover represents a strategic shift toward mechanised agriculture.Over 400 pieces of modern agricultural production and processing equipment are designed to empower local farmers by encouraging large-scale production and transitioning to commercial agriculture.In his speech at the ceremony, President Barrow praised this initiative as a tangible demonstration of his government's commitment to national food security and sustainability. He emphasised that mechanisation is crucial for transforming the agricultural sector and stated that this equipment will enhance efficiency and increase output throughout the agricultural value chain.The President expressed deep gratitude to the World Bank for its support of Gambian farmers and commended the GIRAV project for promoting climate-smart farming, improved agricultural methods, and mechanisation.He advised farmers to use the equipment sustainably to maximise production.Representatives of farmer associations praised the government, under President Barrow's leadership, for its support. They noted that this initiative marks a historic first where local farmers have free access to mechanised equipment and assured that the equipment would be used for its intended purposes.Other speakers at the ceremony, including the Alkalo, Chief, Regional Governor, and a National Assembly Member, highlighted the significance of this development as a historic milestone in the country’s agricultural transformation. They acknowledged that the challenges faced by farmers had discouraged many young people from pursuing farming as a career.With the introduction of this new equipment, the speakers noted that farmers now have a chance to expand production, create jobs, and drive development.In a related development, President Barrow also presented two new ambulances to the communities of Njoben Health Post and Jamagen Health Post. The keys to the ambulances were handed over to representatives of the two villages, who expressed their gratitude to the President and his government.The agricultural production and processing equipment will be distributed to individual farmers and associations across the country, with 50% of the beneficiaries being women and young people.

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PRESIDENT BARROW BRINGS HOPE TO WULI WEST: WORLD BANK ROADS TO TRANSFORM FARMING COMMUNITIES 

The President His Excellency Adama Barrow held a meeting in Chamoi Bunda, Wuli West, as part of his six-day tour to lay the foundation stones for World Bank-funded road projects. This meeting was an opportunity for the Gambian leader to highlight his government's commitment to infrastructural development as a key driver of growth. The project will fund the construction of a 5.4 km road from Chamoi Bunda to Limbambulu.Beneficiary communities from the wider Wuli West district attended the meeting and celebrated the launch of this important project.During the meeting, both the Alkalo of Chamoi Bunda and the Chief of Wuli West praised the President and the World Bank for their efforts to transform rural communities and empower farmers.Kebba Sillah, a respected community leader, described the road project as transformative. He emphasised that it offers farming communities better access to markets and services. Mr Sillah also commended the government and the Ministry of Agriculture for providing farmers with subsidies, fertiliser, and seeds, adding that these feeder roads are essential for large-scale agricultural production.The regional chairman of the NPP, Alhaji Bubu Drammeh, also acknowledged President Barrow for his investments in agriculture, which have resulted in increased yields. He credited these improvements to the President's personal commitment and progressive leadership. The regional chairman urged voters to register for the upcoming election and to support the ruling party.District youth representatives Ousman Bah and Aja Fatou Saho praised the project as a significant opportunity for young people to engage in agriculture, facilitating employment and sustainable socio-economic development. They remarked that President Barrow’s leadership has initiated numerous programs to empower youth, and they encouraged their peers to embrace these opportunities in agriculture to foster growth and development.Honourable Famara Sabally, the National Assembly Member for Wuli West, noted that these feeder roads had been neglected for decades, which had caused hardships for rural farmers trying to access markets. He commended the President for this bold initiative that promises to improve the lives of farmers.Regional Governor Samba Bah echoed these sentiments, discussing the benefits the roads will bring to remote areas where access to farmlands and markets has long been a challenge. The Governor urged Gambians to remain united and peaceful to accelerate national development.Sulayman Sumareh, the Director General of the National Roads Authority, revealed that the roads would be built to standards designed to last 25 years. He stated that the authority would closely supervise the work to ensure contractors and consultants meet their deadlines.President Barrow stated that the World Bank-funded road projects address significant infrastructure gaps in rural areas, providing farmers with new opportunities for access to markets. He emphasised that this initiative will connect all communities to major highways, ending decades of isolation and marginalisation that have hindered rural development.The President took the opportunity to reassure local farmers that his government will continue to prioritise infrastructural development as a driver of growth. He pledged that the next five years will see more groundbreaking projects.He called on all Gambians to embrace and support his development agenda, which aims to deliver quality road projects that connect communities across the country.The President also remarked that he would not be distracted by critics who seek to undermine his government and create confusion among Gambians. He urged his supporters to register en masse for the upcoming election, arguing that the outcome will shape the nation's future for the next five years.He expressed gratitude to the people of Wuli West for their attendance, describing it as a vote of confidence in his leadership, which is results-driven and focused on development.

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President Barrow Launches The Diplomat, a Symbol of Gambia's Modernisation Push

The President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, officially launched The Diplomat, a luxury mixed-use real estate development designed to transform urban living in The Gambia. The ceremony took place in Bakau on Thursday evening, drawing government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and key stakeholders from the real estate sector. This event marks a significant milestone in The Gambia’s efforts toward modern infrastructure and economic growth.The project represents a partnership between ACE Communications Executive, a Gambian-owned business, and Swami India. It is a bold initiative designed to reshape the real estate landscape in The Gambia.Standing nine stories tall, The Diplomat is one of the tallest and most modern buildings in the country, featuring state-of-the-art architecture and design to support corporate life, commerce, and innovation.For Fatim Badjie, the CEO of ACE, this moment was emotional and filled with pride, as she described it as the culmination of nine years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. She emphasised that The Diplomat emerged from a desire to enhance The Gambia's real estate sector by providing a modern edifice that meets the needs of a contemporary nation.Ms Badjie commended the President for fostering a conducive environment for private sector investment, asserting that The Diplomat will promote socio-economic development, enhance competition, and create jobs.Khimji Pindoria, the CEO of Swami India, described The Diplomat as one of the most iconic developments in the sub-region, reflecting President Barrow's vision for a modern, highly developed country.In his address, President Adama Barrow stated that the launch of The Diplomat signifies a new chapter in The Gambia's development journey, characterised by strong confidence, a clear vision, and tangible results. He praised the project's concept, highlighting its alignment with the country's aspirations.The President encouraged the private sector to seize the favourable business environment to invest in the economy, assuring them that his government would continue to support them as partners in development.The Diplomat is named in honour of veteran Gambian diplomat Ambassador Dembo Badjie, recognised for his invaluable contribution to strengthening relations between The Gambia and India. The nine-story twin towers comprise 92 residential and commercial apartments, a gymnasium, and IT hubs designed to support a modern urban lifestyle. Plans are also in place to construct a modern clinic and a water treatment plant to provide essential services to consumers.

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SENEGAL SHOW SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE TO MAINTAIN DOMINANCE OVER THE GAMBIA

Playing in front of home supporters, Senegal once again proved that they are unmatched against the Scorpions of The Gambia as they showed a superior performance to defeat the visitors 3-1 at Stade Abdoulaye Wadé in Diamniadio. Just as expected, the host first took the lead in the first half stoppages after the Scorpions initially appeared defiant. It was the unlikeliest of scorers, centre-back Abdoulaye Seck, Senegal's captain for the night, who glanced home a free header after a corner from El-Hadji Malick Diouf. Within a moment of his introduction after the break, the PSG starlet Ibrahim Mbaye doubled Senegal's lead after a clever pass from Ismaila Sarr in the 47th minute. At that moment, it looked more like a desperate moment for the Scorpions, but veteran captain Omar Colley restored a bit of confidence as he nodded home a Yankuba Minteh's corner from a tight angle to make it 2-1. But when coach Pape Thiaw reverted to his bench, that certainly means an increase in Senegal's hunger for victory and substitute Lamine Camara sealed a deserved 3-1 win for the holders of the AFCON crown.This might be a game against a side [The Gambia] ranked 116 as opposed to Senegal who are ranked 12, but Senegal perhaps knew that given the proximity, the Scorpions would give their best in the clash to try to put their dominance to an end, maybe the more reason they opted to play against the Scorpions. It could also be looked at as a way of presenting their AFCON trophy to their neighbours, The Gambia, a way of strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Either way, the bigger focus was on the 90 minutes for the night. Stade Abdoulaye Wadé wasn't full, but Senegal has a greater number of supporters on the stands, and a decent number of Scorpions supporters took the six-hour journey to cheer their players too. Despite the rift between them and the Confederation of African Football, who now declared Morocco as winners of the AFCON on "disciplinary" grounds after Senegal protested against a penalty decision in the final and left the pitch before coming back to continue playing and ended up winning 1-0 against Morocco. Nicholas Jackson started his football in the Gambian First Division League before moving to Senegal Senegal who took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sports to maintain their status as champions, paraded their AFCON trophy before the Senegalese and Gambian supporters inside the stadium. As a way of showing respect for that achievement, the visiting supporters cheered them as they walked around with what will be their second AFCON title provided that their appeal is successful. And when the 33-year-old Mauritanian referee Abdul Aziz Bouh blew for the kick-off, the host quickly got out of the block and tried to press with high intensity. In the process, both Assan Diao and Abdoulaye Seck had their efforts ricochet off the goal post and Gambia's goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye was forced into some saves.On the other hand, the Scorpions, who were very disciplined, were focused on trying to establish themselves in the game. Aside from the obvious threat of Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, who was a cause for concern for Senegal's defence with his accelerating pace, nothing much was seen of the Scorpions' side. Their best chance in the first half fell to Abdoulie Manneh who hit straight at the goalkeeper after a brilliant loop pass from Abubakr Barry. But when the Scorpions supporters thought they had held the AFCON champions to a stalemate draw at halftime, their team's inability to defeat a set-piece was again exposed as Seck ran without any disturbance through Gambia's defence and beat Baboucarr Gaye with a header for the breakthrough goal. Straight after the restart, Senegal's coach Pape Thiaw, who started the game largely with second-choice players, introduced Dieng, Mbaye and Mendy to the game. Those substitutions paid off immediately as Ibrahim Mbaye left the Gambia's goalkeeper helpless with a one-touch finish after the mesmeric Ismaila Sarr squared off a pass to his path in the box. At that moment, hopes for a comeback started dashing. If it were a home game, some fans might start leaving for fear of more goals. But captain Omar Colley gave a moment to the Scorpions supporters to celebrate as he scored a header in the 51st minute to become the first Scorpions player to score a goal at the gigantic Abdoulaye Wadé stadium. Omar Colley is the most experienced player in this Gambian side. Even with the introduction of more players, coach Jonathan McKinstry and his players were not able to salvage a draw.Instead, it was the AS Monaco midfielder Lamin Camara who came on from the bench to seal a deserved 3-1 victory for the host as he rebounded home from close range after a save by Baboucarr Gaye in the stoppage time. This was the young lad's third goal in two games against the Gambia at this level. Aside from the overly ambitious supporters, not many were expecting a victory for the Scorpions against a nation they've been struggling to beat across all categories in football, including at the school level. The focus with this largely inexperienced squad could only be on preparing the team ahead of the next AFCON qualifiers.This score for a football writer, is not any embarrassing. The question should be, how is Senegal steadily becoming a powerhouse in African football, a development that is cutting across all cadres of their football. Does it have to do with good administration, heavy investment or their close ties with teams and academies in France? Perhaps we will be back here another time to look at things that The Gambia could learn from Senegal to be able to attain new heights in football. For the Lions of Teranga, this was another justification that they are no match for The Gambia on the pitch, having defeated them 3-0 on January 15 2024, in the Ivory Coast AFCON. The African champions are not taking any chances heading into the World Cup. They were on the back of a 2-0 victory over Peru, and now that they have added another morale booster ahead of the global showpiece.

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PRESIDENT BARROW LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR 200KM FEEDER ROADS: $25M WORLD BANK PROJECT TO BOOST AGRICULTURE

President Adama Barrow, accompanied by a high-powered delegation including cabinet ministers, World Bank officials, and other senior government representatives, is embarking on a six-day tour across various regions to lay the foundation stones for over 200 km of feeder roads. These projects, jointly funded by the government and the World Bank with a budget of $25 million, aim to empower rural communities by improving their access to markets.During the tour, President Barrow is expected to lay foundation stones for road projects in selected communities located in the North Bank, Central River, Upper River, and West Coast Regions. He was seen off at the Banjul ferry terminal by Vice President Jallow, several cabinet ministers, and security service chiefs.At the terminal, the President was greeted by a guard of honour from the Gambia Navy before boarding the new Barra ferry to his first destination, Kerr Jatta in the Lower Nuimi District. There, he laid the first stone for a 7.3 km road connecting the communities of Kerr Jatta, Ndofan, and Kerr Walli to the main highway.He also laid the foundation stone for a 9 km road extending from Fass Njaga Choi to Ndungu Kebbeh. Additionally, two other stone-laying ceremonies took place for nearly 13 km of roads in Kerr Selen and Kuntaya, linking several communities in Jokadu. The President then moved on to the Baddibu region, where similar ceremonies were held in Makka Farafenni, Illiasa, and Yallal Tankonjala. Here, he laid the foundation stones for 22 km of road that will connect 12 communities to the main roads.The contracts for these projects have been awarded to Chino Gam, a Chinese construction company, and the projects are expected to take two years to complete. President Barrow described these initiatives as unprecedented and emphasised his government's commitment to providing infrastructural development to enhance socio-economic growth.He stated that these projects will also help diversify road infrastructure developments to reach hard-to-access areas and create opportunities for local farmers. Minister of Agriculture Dr Demba Sabally praised the partnership between the government and the World Bank, asserting that this multi-million dollar project will have a positive impact on agriculture. Momodou Sabally, a presidential adviser, called the project a game-changer in The Gambia's quest for food security and sustainability, noting that farmers will now have easier access to markets.Funding for these projects is provided by the World Bank through a grant under the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project.

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President Barrow Delivers Upbeat State of Nation Address, Highlights Gambia's Progress

President Adama Barrow delivered his State of the Nation address to lawmakers at the National Assembly. The address highlighted his government's achievements over the past year across various sectors, including the economy, social services, infrastructure, governance, reforms, and foreign policy. It also addressed challenges and opportunities for the future. This year's address emphasised a significant improvement in living standards, security, peace, and overall development.The event is often characterised by pomp and pageantry, featuring a guard of honour from the armed forces to welcome the head of state upon arrival. Following a rare moment of interaction with National Assembly members, there is an official photo shoot before everyone is escorted to the chambers. Here, members of the cabinet, judiciary, heads of government departments and agencies, security services chiefs, and the public are present for the address.The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, called the proceedings to order, allowing the President to present a detailed overview of his government's accomplishments over the past 12 months, discuss challenges, and offer solutions.President Barrow provided an overall positive assessment of his government’s performance. He shared that the economy has shown "remarkable resilience," growing nearly 6% while keeping inflation at 6.6%. This growth was largely driven by agriculture, construction, trade, and tourism.The President noted progress in infrastructure development, including the construction of hundreds of kilometres of roads across the country. These achievements, he stated, underscore his government's commitment to national development, highlighting that modern road, air, and maritime infrastructure are the "foundation and vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development."Regarding energy, the President announced that his government is on track to achieve universal electricity access with the commissioning of projects nationwide. He emphasised that this milestone makes The Gambia the first country in the subregion to attain such an achievement. He assured citizens that his government would continue to provide funding to Nawec (National Water and Electricity Company) and partner with stakeholders to ensure accessibility, reliability, and sustainability. "We have allocated three hundred and ninety-seven million dalasis (GMD 397 million) in the 2026 Budget to expand electricity services to the remaining unelectrified communities," he stated.The President also highlighted positive developments in the agricultural sector, which accounts for 22% of GDP, as it drives economic growth and empowers local communities. He noted an increase in food production last year, attributed largely to government support and investments in the sector. Additionally, there has been a significant expansion in access to clean drinking water, which has improved the lives and livelihoods of Gambians.In terms of peace and security, the President declared, "The Gambia is the safest and most peaceful country in West Africa," reflecting the growing confidence in national institutions and the unwavering commitment of security services to maintaining peace, security, and stability."The Gambia is now ranked the safest country in West Africa and the fourth safest in Africa, according to Business Insider Africa. This achievement demonstrates the increasing confidence in our national institutions and the steadfast dedication of our security services to safeguarding the country and its people," he asserted.The Gambian leader encouraged citizens to reflect on these achievements and to recommit themselves to the ideals and values of the Republic as represented in the recovery-focused National Development Plan, YIRIWA.He acknowledged the existing challenges facing the country, particularly in areas such as the economy, climate change, and the unpredictable global environment. However, he reassured the public that his government will continue to address these challenges by working closely with all stakeholders and partners.The National Assembly will convene next week to discuss the contents of the President's address.

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