Press Release Stories

Press Release First slide

GAMBIA'S PRESIDENT ADDRESSES NATION AMIDST BOAT DISASTER

“It is with deep concern and a heavy heart that I deliver this address on the tragic accident recorded off the coast of Jinack Village in the North Bank Region. This happened around midnight on 31st December 2025, when a boat reportedly carrying an unspecified number of irregular migrants capsized.So far, one hundred and two (102) persons have been rescued, with a number of victims still under urgent medical care. Sadly, only seven bodies have been recovered, but search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate those still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, our National Emergency Response Plan has been activated, and the Government has deployed adequate resources to intensify efforts and provide immediate assistance to the survivors.On behalf of the Government and the people of The Gambia, I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. I reassure every parent, relative, and loved one anxiously waiting for additional news that you are not alone in this dilemma. The nation grieves with you, and we hold you dearly in our hearts at this painful moment.On behalf of the entire nation, I express profound gratitude to the gallant personnel of The Gambia Navy for their swift, courageous, and determined response. On receiving the distress alert, they acted promptly by putting their lives at risk to save the lives of others. We equally commend our dedicated emergency response agencies and the personnel of the security services who supported the operations professionally and urgently.I also extend special appreciation to our health workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and staff at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, for working tirelessly to treat the injured, provide comfort, and preserve life. Their compassion and sacrifice remind us of the best of humanity. We are similarly grateful to the community volunteers, including local fishermen, who came forward selflessly to assist in the rescue operations. The Gambia salutes you all.This incident is a painful reminder of the dangerous and life-threatening nature of irregular migration. Surely, no dream, journey, or promise is worth a single loss of life at sea. My government, therefore, remains firmly committed to strengthening efforts to prevent irregular migration. More importantly, we remain strongly determined to create safer and more dignified opportunities for our young people through development initiatives, jobs, and other livelihood options at home.I urge all citizens to remain calm, supportive, and compassionate, as our security and humanitarian agencies continue their critical search and rescue operations. We will provide updates on the identities, nationalities, and other verified details of the victims whenever we receive them.Furthermore, the Government will launch a comprehensive investigation into this incident, and all individuals found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law.May the Almighty Allah grant mercy to those who have passed, healing to the injured, strength to the grieving families, and protection to all those involved in the rescue efforts.”

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

DEFENCE MINISTRY CRACKS DOWN ON UNAUTHORISED DRONE ACTIVITY

The Ministry of Defence wishes to inform the general public that the flying or operation of Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and any other aerial objects over key national installations (State House, Banjul International Airport, Defence and Security Installations) and the surrounding restricted airspace, is strictly prohibited.This restriction is enforced in accordance with National Security measures, as well as existing aviation and public safety laws. Any unauthorized aerial activity within or around these restricted areas is regarded as a serious security violation and shall attract serious consequences. Accordingly, no individual, organization, or institution is permitted to operate Drones or any similar UAV without explicit written authorization from the competent authorities. The Defence and Security Agencies have been duly instructed to take appropriate action against any unauthorized aerial activity within the restricted areas.All public and private drone operators are hereby strongly urged to adhere to this communication. The Ministry of Defence solicits the cooperation of all citizens and residents to ensure full compliance in safeguarding national security and maintaining public safety.  

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

PRESIDENT BARROW DECLARES CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR GAMBIA

The Office of the President hereby informs the public that His Excellency President Adama Barrow has declared Thursday, 25th December and Friday, 26th December 2025, respectively, as Christmas and Boxing Day, as public holidays throughout The Gambia. Additionally, Thursday 1st January 2026, has also been declared a public holiday as part of the New Year celebrations.On behalf of the President and the First Family, the Office of the President wishes everyone a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

GAMBIA POLICE FORCE GENERAL  RECRUITMENT EXERCISE 2025/2026

The Gambia Police Force invites applications for the position of Police Constable as part of the 2025/2026 General Recruitment Exercise. All interested and qualified Gambian citizens are encouraged to apply. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for enlistment into The Gambia Police Force:A. Nationality: Applicants must be Gambian citizens and provide a valid Birth Certificate, National Identity Card, or Passport along with two recent passport-size photos.B. Education: All Applicants must possess a minimum of four (4) credits at WASSCE, including English Language. Candidates with specialised skills and professional qualifications are encouraged to apply:- Civil Engineering - ⁠Mechanical Engineering   - ⁠Criminology & Crime Analyst - ⁠Data Science - ⁠Forensic & Biomedical Sciences - ⁠Psychology & Counselling - ⁠Cyber Security - ⁠Facility Management - ⁠Electrical Engineering• Information and Communication Technology* Forensic Auditing* ⁠Procurement * ⁠Fleet Management C. Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.D. Height Requirement: Applicants must be at least 1.60 meters tall for both males and females.E. Fitness Test: All candidates will undergo a basic fitness test to assess their physical fitness.F. All candidates must pass an entry examination.G. Health: Applicants will be subjected to medical examination.  H. Criminal Record: Applicants must submit a Certificate of Character.I. Interview: All candidates will undergo a formal interview.Application Process:Effective Monday, December 22, 2025, application forms will be available for purchase at the cost of D300.00 at all branches of The Gambia Police Force Cooperative Credit Union. Completed forms, along with copies of relevant supporting documents, must be returned to the same branch where they were obtained.Deadline of Submission: 05th January, 2026Warning: Any forgery or misrepresentation will lead to disqualification and may result in prosecution under the Criminal Offences Act, 2025For: Inspector General of Police GPF Recruitment and Selection Board   For further inquiries: 9968885Date: December 18, 2025

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

Unidentifeid corpse found on TUI flight from banjul to London

A press release from the office of the government spokesperson

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

Media Advisory

President Barrow to Embark on Working Visit to DR CongoState House, Banjul, 27th February 2022The Office of the President informs the public that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, will embark on a two-day working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.The visit will accord the President the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral ties between The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.President Barrow and the delegation will leave Banjul International Airport on Monday 28th February at 10:00 am.

Continue Reading >>

Latest Updates

Press Release First slide

THE GAMBIA AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO GEORGIA, MOLDOVA TO BOOST BILATERAL TIES

His Excellency Mr Pa Musa Jobarteh, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union, on Friday 22nd May 2026 presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Georgia, His Excellency Mr Mikheil Kavelashvili, as the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to Georgia at a ceremony held in the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi.H.E. Ambassador Jobarteh conveyed fraternal greetings from His Excellency President Adama Barrow to the President, the Government, and the people of Georgia. He underscored his willingness to work with Georgia further to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.During a closed-door meeting with the President, Ambassador Jobarteh highlighted several areas of cooperation, including Science and Technology, Agriculture, and Tourism. The two agreed to explore opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries.In a similar development, His Excellency Mr Pa Musa Jobarteh, on Tuesday 26th May 2026 presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Moldova, Her Excellency Ms Maia Sandu, as the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Moldova at a ceremony held in the Presidential Palace in Chisinau.H.E. Ambassador Jobarteh conveyed fraternal greetings from His Excellency President Adama Barrow to the President, the Government, and the people of the Republic of Moldova. He underscored his willingness to work with the Republic of Moldova further to strengthen the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.H.E Ambassador Jobarteh and Her Excellency Maia Sandu discussed and noted potential areas of aligned interest and cooperation in which The Gambia and the Republic of Moldova can mutually benefit, including support for each other’s candidature at multilateral levels and the relevance of multilateralism for small states. They both echoed similar sentiments on international peace and security, and the need to expand trade, agriculture and investment learning exchanges.

Continue Reading >>
News First slide

PRESIDENT BARROW JOINS BANJUL EID PRAYERS, CALLS FOR PEACE AHEAD OF ELECTION

Muslims in Banjul gathered at the King Fahd Mosque to observe the Feast of Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tobaski. President Adama Barrow, cabinet ministers, security chiefs, and senior government officials also participated in Eid prayers, led by Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Alieu Mass Kah. The president used his Eid message to call for peace, tolerance, and responsible citizenship.Imam Ratib of Banjul, Alhaji Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, led the two-rakah prayer.In his sermon after the prayer, the Imam Ratib urged Muslims to uphold peace, tolerance, and stability.He expressed concern over the rising use of drugs and illicit substances among youth and called for concerted efforts by government, parents, religious leaders, and society to address this menace, which threatens the well-being and future of young people.He also prayed for ongoing peace and stability in The Gambia and the wider world.In line with religious teachings, Imam Ratib supervised the slaughter of his sacrificial lamb, which opened the way for other Muslims across the city to do the same, as prescribed by Islamic faith.Outside the mosque, His Excellency Adama Barrow delivered his Eid address, congratulating Gambians and Muslims on this significant feast.He urged Muslims to be peaceful, tolerant, and law-abiding, adding that The Gambia is preparing for another presidential election, which the world will observe closely.On the international stage, President Barrow said he was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East. As chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, he maintains contact with regional leaders to promote dialogue, restraint, and diplomacy for resolving differences.The President then left the King Fahd Mosque in Banjul for State House, where he also oversaw the slaughter of his two sacrificial lambs.The Imam of the State House mosque, Alhaji Mustafa Jallow, led the team that marked the conclusion of the President's Eid celebrations.

Continue Reading >>
News First slide

GAMBIA SIGNS SPORTS & EDUCATION DEAL WITH TIBU AFRICA 

The Vice President, His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, has presided over the signing of a cooperation agreement between Tibu Africa from the Kingdom of Morocco and the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Youth and Sports at the State House in Banjul. This agreement aims to support the national development agenda, especially in youth empowerment, education transformation, sports development, and international collaboration. The delegation from Tibu Africa accompanied by Bakary Y. Badjie the Minister of Youth and Sports, and Dr Habibatou Drammeh the Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, went to the Vice President's office to formally introduce their initiatives in The Gambia.Following an in-depth discussion with VP Jallow regarding the programme, the approach to implementation, and its potential impact on the country, the president of Tibu Africa Mohamed Amine Zariat, proceeded to sign agreements with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.These agreements, reaffirming the Government’s strong commitment to investing in Gambian youth development and empowerment, through strategic international partnerships, also form part of broader efforts to expand opportunities for Gambian youth in sport and education, as highlighted by Tibu Africa's President, Mohamed Amine Zariat.This partnership also aims to incorporate sports into national development policies. Youth and Sports Minister Bakary Y Badjie described the arrival of Tibu Africa in The Gambia as a “significant advantage.”The Gambia is poised to become the first English-speaking country to benefit from Tibu Africa's intervention and partnership programmes, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s expansion within the African continent.Basic and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Habibatou Drammeh said the government, through her ministry, is “fully committed to the agreement with Tibu Africa.”This programme targets all “642 public primary schools across the country.” A similar agreement is expected to be signed between Tibu Africa and the Ministry of Interior.Tibu Africa is internationally recognised for its innovative use of sports as a catalyst for sustainable social transformation, youth empowerment, educational advancement, and community development. The organisation operates in more than fifty-two cities across the twelve regions of Morocco and has expanded its interventions to several African countries, including Tunisia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Madagascar.

Continue Reading >>
Press Release First slide

GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS MISINFORMATION ON POWER CUTS, URGES NATIONAL UNITY

The Government wishes to express deep concern over the increasing spread of misinformation, deliberate distortions, and politically motivated narratives circulating on social media and certain online platforms regarding issues of governance, corruption, and recent electricity supply challenges.While the government fully acknowledges the concerns of citizens affected by intermittent power shortages and other national challenges, it is both irresponsible and unfortunate that some individuals and groups have chosen to exploit these temporary challenges to spread falsehoods, undermine public confidence, and score cheap political points rather than contribute constructively to national dialogue and solutions.The Government remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.  Consequently, allegations of corruption must never be reduced to social media propaganda, political sensationalism, or coordinated misinformation campaigns aimed solely at scoring cheap political points and creating public distrust. Matters of governance and public accountability are serious national issues that must be addressed through credible institutions, evidence-based processes, and the rule of law and not through reckless speculation and politically charged disinformation.It is essential to remind the public that the current electricity supply constraints are being actively addressed through ongoing interventions, investments, and regional energy cooperation efforts, particularly within the framework of the OMVG. The Gambia Government, under the leadership of President Adama Barrow has achieved significant progress in expanding national electricity access, improving generation capacity, and modernising energy infrastructure over recent years. These achievements should not be ignored simply for political convenience.No responsible government desires inconvenience for its citizens, particularly during important social and religious periods. However, genuine leadership requires honesty, patience, and collective responsibility, especially during moments like these.For nearly the past year, the country has experienced one of the most stable and reliable electricity supply periods in recent national history, with many households and businesses enjoying significantly improved power availability and fewer interruptions. This progress was not accidental, but the result of deliberate government investments and reforms in the energy sector. Therefore, temporary technical challenges currently affecting electricity supply in parts of the country should be viewed within their proper context. While any disruption to electricity supply is regrettable and taken seriously by the Government, isolated operational and technical challenges cannot reasonably justify the level of outrage, alarmism, and politically charged narratives being amplified in some quarters.The Government is therefore urging political actors, media platforms, activists, and members of the public to exercise restraint, patriotism, and responsibility in their public commentary. Constructive criticism is welcome in every democratic society, but the deliberate politicisation of temporary national challenges for narrow partisan gain does not serve the interests of the country or its people.National development cannot thrive in an atmosphere poisoned by misinformation, constant negativity, and manufactured outrage. Progress requires unity, stability, responsible citizenship, and a shared commitment to national interest above political opportunism.The Government reassures the public that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the electricity supply, strengthen service delivery, and continue advancing the country’s development agenda. Citizens are encouraged to rely on official channels for accurate information and to reject the spread of false and misleading content designed to create unnecessary panic and division.

Continue Reading >>
News First slide

PRESIDENT BARROW HOSTS TIBU AFRICA AS MOROCCO GROUP LAUNCHES FIRST ANGLOPHONE PROGRAM IN GAMBIA

The President, His Excellency Adama Barrow, on Tuesday received Mohamed Amine Zariat, President of Tibu Africa, at the State House. Tibu Africa is a Morocco-based sports organisation specialising in sports education, empowerment, and socio-economic inclusion of youth, women, and children across Africa. Mr Zariat launched the first Tibu in The Gambia, marking the first in Anglophone Africa.The President of Tibu Africa, Muhammed Amin Zariat, was accompanied to the State House by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, and the Tibu country representative, Ebrima Manneh.Speaking to journalists after their audience with President Barrow, Mr Zariat disclosed that Tibu Africa was founded in 2011 to promote sports education and empower women and youths.Mr Zariat added that Tibu Africa plans to expand its activities in The Gambia, targeting schools across the country to give young people opportunities to pursue careers in sports education.The Tibu Africa President also praised the Gambia-Morocco friendship, which inspired this partnership, and expressed particular thanks to King Mohammed VI and President Barrow for their patronage.To further strengthen this partnership, Mr Zariat announced plans to establish a basketball court in The Gambia in December. He also extended an invitation to the President to attend the next Education Through Sport summit, to be held in Casablanca next year, where The Gambia will be the guest country.Finally, Mr Zariat expressed hope that The Gambia will qualify for the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco.

Continue Reading >>
News First slide

GRA DOUBLES REVENUE TO D25.3B IN 5 YEARS UNDER DARBOE

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has significantly improved its performance over the last five years, thanks to good management, strong leadership, and new ideas. Their revenue has increased from D12.7 billion in 2021 to an impressive D25.3 billion in 2025. This success has come from the efforts of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe and his team, who transformed an authority that used to struggle to meet its goals.The 2026 GRA awards celebrate the biggest and most compliant taxpayers of the year. They also highlight the GRA as an institution that consistently exceeds expectations.Yankuba Darboe has been leading the GRA since 2014, six years after it was created by combining the central revenue department with the customs and excise departments. His leadership has brought about changes that have greatly improved how revenue is collected and taxed in The Gambia.With a dedicated team and support from a government focused on development, Mr Darboe started reforms that doubled and even tripled revenue in a short time. This earned him praise from the government and his colleagues.President H.E. Adama Barrow has been inspired by Darboe’s achievements and has attended every taxpayer award night to recognise and appreciate his leadership and contributions.Colleagues at the GRA also admire Darboe for his leadership skills, passion for success, and commitment to exceeding targets.Despite this success, Mr Darboe remains humble and sees these achievements as motivation to keep improving. He believes in always finding new opportunities and welcoming innovations, without creating more pressure on taxpayers. His main goal is to expand the tax base, rather than raise tax rates for the people.As they celebrate another successful year, the GRA leadership and team are confident in their ability to continue meeting and exceeding targets, supported by new technologies and systems. The future looks bright for them.

Continue Reading >>