Dembo Santang Bojang passes away
The death has been announced of the Head Alkalo of Brikama, Dembo Santang Bojang. The late Alkalo, a former Police Chief, has also served as the Chief of Kombo Central. May his soul rest in peace.
Continue Reading >>The death has been announced of the Head Alkalo of Brikama, Dembo Santang Bojang. The late Alkalo, a former Police Chief, has also served as the Chief of Kombo Central. May his soul rest in peace.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>The composition of President Barrow's new cabinet will be disclosed in a special GRTS broadcast at 6pm today.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>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.
Continue Reading >>President Adama Barrow on Thursday received officials attending the annual African Tax Administration Forum Masterclass at State House.The delegation was led by the Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe, who briefed the President on the objectives and outcomes of the three-day meeting in Banjul. The Masterclass brought together tax administrators from across Africa to deliberate on tax administration, revenue collection, and the challenges and opportunities facing the continent.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Commissioner General Darboe described the engagement as "very productive," noting that discussions centred on tax administration, revenue collection, and common challenges facing authorities in Africa.He commended President Barrow for the government’s support to GRA’s reforms, which he said have transformed revenue collection in The Gambia over the last 10 years.“As a result of these reforms, revenue collection has increased significantly. We have moved from collecting D3 billion in one year to now collecting D3 billion in one month,” Darboe said.The Executive Secretary of ATAF, Mary Baine, commended President Barrow for receiving the delegation. She said ATAF wants him to champion the call for stronger and more resilient tax administration systems across Africa, drawing on The Gambia’s model.The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of ATAF also praised The Gambia for its political will and commitment to financing development through domestic revenue. They described the approach as more sustainable, noting that Africa cannot continue to depend on external financing for its development needs.The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita, congratulated the GRA for hosting a successful ATAF Masterclass. He said the event is a vote of confidence in The Gambia’s tax administration system, which continues to serve as a model for others on the continent.The meeting was attended by senior tax administration officials and experts who are using the forum to strategise the way forward for tax administration and revenue mobilisation in Africa.
Continue Reading >>The President, Adama Barrow, has called for stronger regional solidarity to confront terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and other pressing challenges facing West Africa.President Barrow made the call on Saturday at the opening of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Leaders at the summit pledged to accelerate efforts toward a fully integrated West Africa.The meeting is being described as a historic moment for ECOWAS as the bloc refocuses on democracy, good governance, security, trade, and infrastructure.ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said the summit provides a historic opportunity for leaders to deliver on their pledge to integrate the sub-region into a single bloc capable of addressing shared challenges.He described ECOWAS as a critical platform for dialogue, regional cooperation, and democratic consolidation.Dr. Touray also expressed gratitude to President Barrow for supporting his candidature four years ago, which led to his appointment as President of the Commission.Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, said the summit calls for reflection on the past and future of the organization.He noted that the world is undergoing profound changes and increased competition for resources, and urged ECOWAS to adapt to remain relevant and competitive."West Africa carries greater weight when it speaks with one voice," President Bio said.President Barrow reiterated the need for concerted sub-regional action on terrorism, violent extremism, and climate change, warning that these threats require urgent attention.On The Gambia, President Barrow thanked ECOWAS for its support during the country’s transition. He reassured the bloc that his government will conduct a free, fair, and credible election in December.He also reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to regional integration and to ECOWAS institutions.At the close of the summit, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye succeeded President Bio as Chairman of ECOWAS. He will lead the bloc for the next two years.Dr. Touray also concluded his four-year term as President of the ECOWAS Commission. He thanked leaders for their support during what he described as a "very tough and challenging" period.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia Chaired the 121st Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), 15-16 July 2026, Brussels.The Council of Ministers, being the decision-making body of the 79 Member States of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), held its 121st Session in Brussels from 15th -16th July 2026. Over 200 delegates, including 25 Ministers of Finance, Trade and Economic Development, were in attendance, with Honourable Seedy K.M. Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia, chairing in his capacity as President of Council. In his opening statement, Hon. Minister Keita underscored that the strength of the OACPS lies in the common identity and shared cultural values that unite its Member States across three continents. He reaffirmed the Organisation’s collective vision of improving the lives of its peoples through economic transformation, increased trade and investment, a stronger private sector, and improved opportunities for youths and women.Hon. Seedy K.M Keita also called on Member States to maintain the momentum generated by the Malabo Summit by providing the political leadership and ownership necessary to implement the decisions of the Heads of State and Government. He further emphasised the importance of strengthening the Organisation’s governance system, financial sustainability and institutional effectiveness.Key achievements during The Gambia’s Presidency include the successful convening of the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, the adoption of the Malabo Declaration and its Implementation Matrix and the progress made in advancing the OACPS Transformation Agenda.Honourable Justice Veronic Wright, The Gambia’s candidate for election as a Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), had the singular opportunity to present her candidature to the Council of Ministers for their support.
Continue Reading >>The Vice President, Mohammed B.S. Jallow, on Wednesday officially opened the African Tax Administration Forum in Banjul on behalf of President Adama Barrow.Tax administrators from across the continent gathered for the 7th Heads of Tax Administrations Master Class to discuss ways to strengthen revenue collection in Africa.Delegates came from different countries with diverse legal systems and institutional backgrounds, but share a common goal: to strengthen Africa’s capacity to mobilise domestic resources to improve lives.Delivering the President’s statement, Vice President Jallow said domestic resource mobilisation has been a central pillar of The Gambia’s national development agenda.“Since the inception of my administration in 2017, domestic resource mobilisation has featured prominently on The Gambia’s national development agenda,” he said. “This strategic focus is informed by the growing realisation that African governments cannot achieve sustainable prosperity, economic resilience, and true sovereignty by relying indefinitely on external loans, grants, and development assistance.”The Vice President noted that African economies have faced devastating calamities, global supply chain disruptions, and uncertainties arising from conflicts around the world. He said that these challenges have forced many countries to undertake major reforms to modernise their revenue administration, and that The Gambia has been a beneficiary of those reforms.“Today, The Gambia is reaping the benefits of these reforms through improved efficiency, enhanced transparency, stronger revenue performance, and increased domestic resources to support our national development aspirations,” he said.Vice President Jallow also commended the leadership of the Gambia Revenue Authority, saying it reflects the theme of the Master Class.“The Commissioner General’s leadership stature stands as a practical example of the theme of this Master Class, that great institutions are built by leaders who have the courage to embrace change and the determination to see it through,” he said.For his part, the Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe, said the Master Class has been a source of inspiration for his leadership.“When I say this Master Class has had a profound impact on my own leadership journey. Since the launch of this initiative, I have had the privilege of participating in several editions, often accompanied by my Deputy Commissioner General,” Darboe said. “Every year, we return home with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical lessons from fellow Commissioners General who have faced challenges similar to those confronting us in The Gambia.”After the deliberations in Banjul, the tax administrators are expected to leave with renewed strategies to combat base erosion, profit shifting, and illicit financial flows that deprive Africa of much-needed development resources.Participants of the 2026 ATAF Master Class are also expected to adopt a communique outlining key recommendations for tax administration across the continent.
Continue Reading >>On the eve of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Sierra Leone inaugurated a state-of-the-art International Convention Centre named after President Julius Maada Bio on Saturday.The inauguration ceremony in Lungi was attended by several sub-regional leaders, with His Excellency Adama Barrow attending as Special Guest of Honour.The new facility is being hailed as a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s modernisation drive.President Barrow arrived at Lungi International Airport Saturday morning to join other West African leaders for the ECOWAS Summit. He was received by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who escorted him through airport formalities reserved for visiting Heads of State.The two leaders held a brief tête-à-tête in the VIP lounge before President Barrow was driven to the nearby convention centre.Located a few metres from the International Airport, the Julius Maada Bio International Convention Centre is one of several infrastructure projects undertaken by the Bio administration to position Sierra Leone as a hub for sub-regional, continental, and global diplomacy.The ceremony was attended by Heads of State, ECOWAS officials, and other dignitaries.In his remarks, President Barrow praised President Bio for the ambitious initiative, describing it as a testament to visionary leadership.“One can safely and boldly conclude that it is a testament to the visionary leadership and statesmanship of President Bio. No wonder the centre proudly bears his name,” President Barrow said. “This edifice vividly symbolises what is attainable when leaders dedicate their lives to their nations and toil not only for the present, but also for generations to come.”President Barrow noted the special significance of the occasion for The Gambia.“For The Gambia, the occasion carries unique significance. Sierra Leone and The Gambia are bound not merely by geography and membership of ECOWAS, but equally by a shared history marked by resilience, resourcefulness, and an unwavering commitment to democracy, peace, and regional integration,” he said.He added that the new convention centre will create opportunities for Sierra Leone and position the country as a hub for diplomacy, dialogue, and investment.“A convention centre of such magnificence is more than a physical structure. It is a public space to generate and share ideas, knowledge, and expertise. It is an avenue for constructive diplomacy, a venue for commerce, and a platform from which Africans can present their viewpoints to the world with dignity,” President Barrow stated.“I am confident that the centre will host insightful dialogues to influence our region’s future, moderate negotiations for our shared prosperity, and hold many celebrations of success.”The President reassured Sierra Leone of The Gambia’s pride in the achievement and urged both countries to continue working together to transform their nations.President Barrow later joined his host and fellow leaders from Senegal, Ghana, Mauritania, Cabo Verde, and Liberia to cut the ribbon and officially open the Julius Maada Bio International Convention Centre.For President Bio, the inauguration marked a proud moment as Sierra Leone welcomed ECOWAS leaders for the 69th Ordinary Session.
Continue Reading >>Re: The Gambia Government Statement On The Bulock Military Camp Border IncidentBanjul, The Gambia - The Gambia Government expresses its deep concern over the unfortunate incident that occurred on Thursday afternoon, 16th July, 2026, at the Bulock Military Border.Post, West Coast Region, involving members of the Senegalese Armed Forces. The Government confirms that a section of the perimeter fence of a Gambia Armed Forces military installation was demolished without prior consultation through the established bilateral military and diplomatic mechanisms that have long guided cooperation between our two sister countries.While The Gambia considers this action profoundly provocative and totally unacceptable, the Government remains fully committed to resolving the matter peacefully through dialogue and the existing Joint Military Committee and other bilateral channels. A formal diplomatic engagement with the Government of Senegal is already underway.The Government wishes to reassure the Gambian public, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and residents of The Gambia, that there is no need for panic as the security situation remains calm and fully under control. Throughout the incident, Personnel of The Gambia Armed Forces acted with exemplary professionalism and restraint, preventing any potential escalation.Significantly, the Governments of The Gambia and Senegal have enjoyed decades of close fraternal cooperation, friendship and shared responsibility for regional peace and stability. Only recently, both Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in Defence, Security, Trade, Border Management and Economic Development. It is in that same spirit that this unfortunate incident will be addressed.Accordingly, The Gambia Government calls on the Senegalese Armed Forces to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that any future concerns relating to the common border are addressed exclusively through the established bilateral mechanisms and in full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both States.The Government is confident that through mutual respect, constructive dialogue and the longstanding friendship between our two nations, this matter will be resolved swiftly and amicably.The Government further urges all Gambians to remain calm, refrain from speculation, and allow the ongoing diplomatic process to reach a peaceful conclusion.Signed,Ebrima G. Sankareh The Government Spokesperson & Presidential Diaspora Adviser
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