Foreign Ministers representing the fifty-seven (57) member-states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have reasserted unwavering commitment to supporting The Gambia in its ongoing efforts to successfully host the 15th Session of the OIC Heads of State Summit.

Following successful deliberations in the just concluded OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, the ministers in the ensuing communique dubbed ‘the Islamabad Declaration’ reiterated The Gambia’s position as the host of the next Islamic leaders’ summit and appealed for members to assist.

“We call upon the Member States to make efforts for the success of the 15th Islamic Summit, in the Republic of The Gambia in 2022,” the ministers and heads of delegation of the member states stated in the declaration.

The Gambia is hosting the OIC Summit on behalf of the Africa block of the OIC member countries. The declaration reiterates the position maintained by The Gambia OIC Secretariat last week that the Africa group as well as the general membership stands in support of The Gambia’s summit effort.

A high-level Gambia government delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Momodou Tangara represented the country at the Islamabad conference.

Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda Jallow, the Gambia Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the OIC Mission, H.E. Omar G. Sallah, the Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia OIC Secretariat, and other senior officials from the foreign affairs ministry and The Gambia OIC Secretariat.

By: Dawda Baldeh

President Adama Barrow has vowed to set up a commission that will be tasked with the responsibility of investigating rice projects in the country’s Central River Region (CRR).

Barrow made this promise whilst addressing a huge rally in Janjangbureh. This comes after residents in that part of the country raised concerns about the ongoing projects and asked the government to intervene.

Barrow promised to invite the authorities responsible for the projects to provide tangible information about the rice value chain projects, adding that he will not sit back and watch people do whatever they want in the country.

“I will set a commission to investigate these rice projects. The price of rice is a concern to me,” he said. Adding that the authorities must explain what is keeping the project from being completed.

He promised the people of Janjangbureh that they will get their rice farms back. He said agriculture remains his government’s priority. President Barrow further stated that the only way the price of rice can be reduced is through rice farming.

He noted that the price hikes on basic commodities especially rice is his main concern.

“The authorities must explain to me about the projects,” he said. “I will take a decision and set a commission to investigate the projects. This is not about politics it is about national development.”

Samba Marong head of rice farmers in CRR South said the projects that came to the region identified nine rice fields and none of them has been completed over a period of three years. Noting that it has affected their rice production.

He said they are farmers and they depend on rice farming to make a living.

“We want the government to know the pain we are going through,” Samba Marong said.

He also noted that another project identified as ‘NEMA’ in Janjangbureh took their rice fields from them claiming to change their way of farming. This he said does not favour them and called on the government to act.

Ahead of tomorrow’s hearing the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the office of the Attorney General have prayed to the high court to dismiss the case brought before it by UDP National Assembly Aspirant Momodou Sabally on the decision of the IEC to reject the nomination of the applicant pursuant to the relevant constitutional provision.

An affidavit filed on Friday opposing Sabally’s appeal read:

“The decision of the IEC in rejecting the nomination of the applicant [Sabally] pursuant to the relevant constitutional provision and as manifested in the report of the Commission of Inquiry and government white paper is not wrong in any manner as claimed by the applicant.”

The affidavit further argued that:

“The applicant is not entitled to the reliefs sought at all and this Honorable court ought to dismiss same in the interest of justice. It is a frivolous and vexatious application and an abuse of process of this honourable court.”

The IEC, on nomination day, rejected and outrightly disqualified the nomination of Momodou Sabally on the grounds that his name was adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission of Enquiry Report which bans him from holding any public office in The Gambia.

Sabally according to that report stands accused of having dubious financial dealings with former President Yahya Jammeh, allegations he has denied on countless occasions.

The hearing is scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday 29th March 2022 and will be presided over by Justice Apongabuno Achibonga.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India have signed an agreement to establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. This global knowledge centre for traditional medicine, supported by an investment of USD 250 million from the Government of India, aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology to improve the health of people and the planet.

Around 80% of the world’s population is estimated to use traditional medicine. To date, 170 of the 194 WHO Member States have reported the use of traditional medicine, and their governments have asked for WHO’s support in creating a body of reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and products.

“For many millions of people around the world, traditional medicine is the first port of call to treat many diseases,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“Ensuring all people have access to safe and effective treatment is an essential part of WHO’s mission, and this new center will help to harness the power of science to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine. I’m grateful to the Government of India for its support, and we look forward to making it a success.”

The term traditional medicine describes the total sum of the knowledge, skills and practices indigenous and different cultures have used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illness. Its reach encompasses ancient practices such as acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine and herbal mixtures as well as modern medicines.

Inspector General of Gambia Police Force, Abdoulie Sanyang, is a native of Jeffin Village, Lower River Region.

He is a Barrister of Law. He graduated from University of The Gambia (UTG) with a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB).

IGP Sanyang is bilingual, speaking both English and French. He is from a humble background and through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks of the police force.

Prior to his appointment as IGP, he served in various capacities in the Gambia Police Force, notably, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Administration, Officer in Charge of Peace Support Department, Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Public Relations and Press Officer, Scribe to Crime Management Coordinator and Station Officer among a host of other portfolios.

Mr. Sanyang has also served internationally Peacekeeper with the United Nations in Sierra Leone in the year 2007-2008 as Team Leader UN Regional Advisory Team, Ivory Coast in 2004-2005 as Protocol Officer to the Force Commander and Sierra Leone 2000- 2001 as DDR and MIO.

IGP Sanyang was called to the Bar in 2018. He holds a Bachelor in Law and Advance Diploma in Education in both English and French, Diploma in Linguistic Studies and Diploma in Law.

Mr Abdoulie Sanyang has passion for enhancing his capacity in security which could be seen in courses he further pursue internationally such as, Security Measures for United Nations Peacekeepers- Abidjan, Ivory Coast, United Nations Military Observers- Abidjan, Ivory Coast, United Nations Civilian Police: Restoring Orders following Hostilities- Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Civilian Police in Peace Operations- Accra, Ghana, Design, Development and Facilitation- Freetown, Sierra Leone, Joint Campaign Planning (French) Course and Seminar on Public Order Management during Public Events Manifestation among others.

Apart from his professional career he served as Task Force Secretary- Gambia Police Force Promotion Board, Training Officer-UN/AU Pre-Deployment Training, Liaison Officer for Peacekeeping Operations, President Interior Football Club, Member of the Gambia Police Management Board, Secretary General – Gambia College Students Union, Brikama, Gambia and Vice-Chairman Public Relations Association, Gambia (PRAG)

Poliso Magazine

Sainey Jabbie, a former President Barrow defender now a seeming critic has expressed his thoughts about the presidents meet the people tour, describing it as a misplaced priority.

Jabbie reminded the president that he is president of everyone in the Gambia including the opposition and the independent candidates.

“Your ‘meet the people tour’ is a misplaced priority, I understand that you want to control the house of parliament so that you can have more powers without being challenged. If that happens, you will be like, Jammeh and other dictators around the world,” Jabbie wrote on his Facebook page.

He further noted that the president’s tour is purely political and not based on national development.

“You are using national resources, national security, public servants, executive members, wasting national resources, wasting money, fuel, putting the interest of NPP ahead of national development,” he said.

He called on the president to listen to critics if he wants to govern the Gambia perfectly and not try to get a rubber-stamp parliament.

By: Dawda Baldeh

President Adama Barrow has taken a dig at veteran politician Honourable Sidia Jatta, National Assembly Member for Wuli West Constituency.

The People’s Democratic Organisation for Independent and Socialism (PDOIS) candidate is seeking re-election.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Wuli West, President Barrow asked Hon Jatta to retire or face an unwilling retirement after he is defeated in the polls on 9th April 2022. Hon. Jatta he said is old and is about time for him to start receiving his pension.

“Nfamara Sabally will overcome Sidia Jatta this year,” Barrow said. During the campaign. He acknowledged Hon. Sidia Jatta is an elder but urged him to take the back seat.

“We know he is knowledgeable, but we want him to give a chance to the young ones. Therefore, let him (Sidia Jatta) retire before April 9th,2022,” Barrow reiterated.

He further noted that all Sidia’s age mates have retired from active politics and since the Honorable is 80-years-old he should now retire.

President Barrow noted that Hon. Sidia Jatta said age does not matter in parliament and all the development projects in the constituency are from charity.

“Charity that constructs bridges and roads and uplifts the living conditions of the people is a good one,” President Barrow said.

President Barrow further stated that Hon. Sidia Jatta has served as a National Assembly Member for two decades, but he didn’t help the people of Wuli to get such charity.

“Is it that he (Sidia) didn’t know the people of Wuli need such charity? I will continue searching for such charity to develop the country,” he said.

Adding that the opposition keeps talking while he will continue working.

Sidia Sana Jatta founded the PDOIS in 1986 and contested elections under the party symbol in 1987 and 1992, he lost both elections. He finally won the Wulli West Constituency Seat in the 1997 National Assembly Elections and has served as a Member of Parliament ever since.

Former Vice President of The Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang, has urged Nigerian women to be active participants in the forthcoming 2023 General Elections in Nigeria.

She said this on Thursday 24 March 2022 in Abuja at a high-level policy dialogue organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), with the theme, ‘Wither Democracy in West Africa?”

According to her, the participation of women in the African continent’s democracy and governance is in the interest of the people of the continent, especially that men mostly fight for power at the detriment of good governance and development.

The event also witnessed the remembrance and dedication of a building to late Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, who was the general secretary of the CDD, among other civic and humanitarian activism across Africa.

Tajudeen, known for his popular quote of ‘organise, don’t agonise’ was born in Funtua, Katsina State, and died in a road accident on May 25, 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya, while on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Rwanda where he was scheduled to meet with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

Tambajang expressed disappointment on the recent rejection of gender bill by the National Assembly.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, urged Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun apathy and be active in the nation’s democracy and governance.

He told youths not to see the social media as a political space but come to the grassroots and the nation’s public political space and effect the change they want.

On her part, the CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said that in the last decade, in almost all the countries, election had become the norm and no longer an exception.

“We have seen alternation of powers. We have seen incumbents voted out of office both in Nigeria and Ghana. We have seen parties also changed batons in Sierra Leone, Liberia, aside from other positive developments in Francophone Africa, like Burkina Faso, even Niger,” she said.

By: Christian Conteh

Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations in The Gambia (Victims’ Centre) has expressed outrage at the decision of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to recommend for governments consideration and final approval the granting of amnesty to Sanna Sabally Former Vice Chairman of the 1994 Junta Government.

At a recent press conference held at its office, the centre urges the government to reject the amnesty recommendation.

The TRRC last week revealed that it had granted Sabally, a former army lieutenant amnesty on the grounds that he had been truthful during his testimony before the commission and he himself had been a victim of the Jammeh government.

The victims however hold the view that Sabally’s crime of killing 11 soldiers qualifies as a crime against humanity and therefore granting him amnesty is in contravention of the TRRC Act.

Reading the statement on behalf of the victims, Muhammed Sandeng said:

“Families of victims of November 11th, 1994, together with other victims of crimes against humanity during the regime of Yahya Jammeh and a coalition of Gambian organisations condemn in the strongest possible terms the approval of an amnesty for former AFPRC Vice-Chairman Sanna Sabally by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) Amnesty Committee and Commissioners and urges the Gambia Government, through the Minister of Justice, to disregard this recommendation.”

The TRRC report found Sanna Sabally, Edward Singhateh, Yankuba Touray and Yahya Jammeh responsible for the torture, assault, beatings, and extrajudicial killings of the 11 GNA soldiers and the torture, beatings, arbitrary and unlawful detention of five private soldiers. Sanna Sabally was also found responsible for subjecting numerous people to human rights violations.

“The announcement of amnesty comes as a shock to the victims given that according to Section 19 (3) of the TRRC Act, Sanna Sabally SHOULD NOT qualify for amnesty because the crimes he committed form part of crimes against humanity. This, therefore, renders the “approval” illegal and thus should not be acted on by the government,” the victims say.

The TRRC however insist that Sanna had not only been very truthful during the hearings but has also been remorseful. It reports that he had even participated in reconciliatory attempts. The TRRC also considered the fact that the former Junta Government Vice-Chairman had served a considerable number of years in prison.

Some 7,000 members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have surrendered in northeast Nigeria in the past week, according to local media reports.

On Wednesday, the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Major General Christopher Musa, a top commander in the region, as saying that an onslaught targeting ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters has continued to record significant success.

Musa said at least 7,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP members surrendered in the last week during the operations.

“This is evident as thousands of the insurgents comprising combatants, non-combatants, foot soldiers, alongside their families, continued to lay down their arms in different parts of Borno to accept peace,” he said.

The surrendering fighters and their families are expected to be profiled by the Nigerian army and other stakeholders before they undergo rehabilitation processes, the general added.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has launched an uprising in northeast Nigeria. Its attacks have spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a military response. The group has also become splintered, with one faction pledging allegiance to ISIL (ISIS).

About 350,000 people have been killed and three million civilians displaced in more than a decade of fighting in the country, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria.

Aljazeera

Embattled United Democratic Party (UDP) Commando Momodou Sabally has described rumour he has finally decided to pitch tent with President Barrows National Peoples Party (NPP) as false .

According to Sabally, he is a member of the UDP and he shall remain a loyal and committed supporter of the great yellow party.

“Supporters, friends, foes and frenemies, I salute you all with the greeting of peace, Salam. The desperate dudes of the NPP released a malicious and mendacious audio last night, claiming that I had joined their party and given up on my run for parliament @Busumbala Constituency under the UDP ticket. The claim is false. That is the wish of President Barrow and his mafia camp but it shall not happen in a billion years inshaa Allah.

I am a member of the UDP, and I shall remain a loyal and committed supporter of the great #yellow party,” Sabally wrote.

He further reaffirmed he has also not given up on his bid to become the elected representative of the people of Busumbala Constituency.

“That battle is raging on at the courts as I write this post and we are confident of victory by the Grace of Allah. The struggle to liberate our country from subjugation to our Neighbour and the mafia cabal shall continue unabated till we restore the sovereignty of our motherland and stop the rampant corruption and cronyism that characterizes the NPP kleptocracy,” he added.

Sabally was disqualified by the Independent Electoral Commission from contesting for the National Assembly Seat of Busumbala Constituency on the grounds that his name was adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission of Enquiry, a decision he has challenged in the courts of law.

The Gambia took Africa by storm this year when reaching the Cup of Nations quarter-finals. yesterday the scorpions edged Chad 1-0 in their first step toward reaching the 2023 finals.

The Scorpions left it late in Yaounde with United Arab Emirates-based forward Steve Trawally scoring in the 89th minute to win the preliminary round first leg.

The Gambia, a small west African country surrounded by Senegal, made a spectacular Cup of Nations debut two months ago, beating Mauritania, Tunisia and Guinea before losing a last-eight clash with hosts Cameroon.

Before tackling Chad, Belgium-born Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet warned his players to avoid becoming “one-tournament wonders”.

“We want to qualify for the 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup,” said the coach who has guided national teams in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

He cited the example of Madagascar, newcomers who stunned Nigeria when reaching the 2019 Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Egypt only to miss out on the latest edition.

Chad hosted Gambia in the Cameroon capital because the landlocked central African does not have a stadium that meets international standards.

Gambia is also affected by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) clampdown on venues with sub-standard pitches, dressing rooms or facilities and will stage the return match on Tuesday in Morocco.

Mauritius is the only nation among the 10 in the preliminary round that has been permitted to play at home.

On the sidelines of the ongoing 48^th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, The Gambia on Tuesday provided a detailed update on the case it filed at the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Myanmar for the acts of genocide perpetrated against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The Gambia, represented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow chaired the Adhoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations Against the Rohingya where it outlined an updated status on the case, especially the recent hearing in February 2022.

The minister revealed that The Gambia won a lawsuit in the United States against Facebook to have access to the social media accounts used by the Myanmar military to spread anti-Rohingya hate propaganda online.

“The lawsuit has successfully obtained contents of Facebook accounts that were controlled by Myanmar’s military, and which Facebook removed from its platform after Facebook determined that the accounts were used to spread anti-Rohingya hate propaganda in violation of Facebook’s terms of services,” Minister Jallow stated revealing that the ruling is a big boost for the Gambia’s evidence collection efforts.

The Attorney General added that a 4-day hearing was held on Myanmar’s Preliminary Objections to the Court’s jurisdiction from 21-28 February 2022. The Gambia had opposed the objection and a ruling is expected in the summer of 2022.

On support for the financial status of the legal case, the Attorney General urged OIC member states to step up and show strong solidarity with the cause of the Rohingyas by contributing voluntarily to meet the legal expenses of the case.

The OIC Secretary-General, H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, praised the pivotal role of The Gambia in leading the Organization’s efforts on the international stage to ensure that Myanmar is held accountable for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslims.

While reiterating that the Rohingya case is one of the top priorities on the OIC’s agenda, he pointed out that the case sends a strong message to the international community about the Organization’s collective and coordinated work to support the Rohingya people.

Ghana’s government will pump $2 billion into the economy to “rescue the cedi” currency, the presidency wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, adding that it will cut political appointees’ salaries by up to 30% as part of measures to ease its financial problems.

The West African country is facing rampant inflation, a depreciating local currency and a heavy debt burden that has dented investor confidence and could build up into a debt crisis. The cedi has weakened by about 20% against the dollar this year, exacerbating its problems.

The announcement from President Nana Akufo-Addo follows the central bank’s decision on Monday to hike its main lending rate by 250 basis points to 17%, the largest increase in Ghana’s history.

Ghana was long seen as a rising star among Africa’s emerging market economies, but underwhelming oil revenues and supply chain disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic have dampened expectations.

The presidency also wrote on Twitter that the cabinet had agreed to reopen land borders within two weeks, lifting measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source:  Reuters

The Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia OIC Secretariat, Mr. Yankuba Dibba is taking part in the 48^th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Islamabad, Pakistan.

CEO Dibba is part of a high-level Gambian government delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Momodou Tangara. Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda Jallow, the Gambia Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the OIC Mission, H.E. Omar G. Sallah, and other senior officials from the foreign affairs ministry and The Gambia OIC Secretariat.

The two-day summit officially commenced on Tuesday 22^nd March 2022 with the inaugural session chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, His Excellency Imran Khan. The theme of the high-level discussion is ‘’Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development’’ and addressed current global issues such as the plights of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people, the conflict in Ukraine, Islamophobia, COVID19, among other pressing peace and security issues affecting the Muslim Ummah.

Several speakers including the Foreign Minister of Niger,  Hon. Hassoumi Massoudou – the outgoing Chair of the OIC-CFM, addressed the session before handing over the Chair of the 48th session of the OIC-CFM to Pakistan represented by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his keynote address at the inaugural session highlighted Pakistan’s role and contribution towards OIC and deliberate on the challenges faced by the Muslim world.

The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Secretary-General OIC Hissein Brahim Taha, President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser, Chinese State Councilor, and Foreign Minister, Wangi Yi also addressed the session. The Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres addressed the gathering via a video link.

More than 100 resolutions will be considered during the two-day session.

Following the opening session, The Gambia, represented by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda Jallow chaired the Meeting of the Ad hoc Ministerial Committee on Accountability for the Human Rights Violations Against the Rohingya.

Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Gambia (DLEAG) operatives stationed in Central River Region on 21 March 2022 conducted a sting operation that resulted in the apprehension of three suspects in Kudang and Jarreng.

According to DLEAG, the raid was part of an ongoing operation aimed at dismantling areas deemed notorious for the open abuse of illicit drugs as well as apprehending dealers engaged in selling prohibited drugs.

33-year-old Edrissa Jagne and 41-years-old Lamin Suso were apprehended in the evening hours of Monday 21st March 2022 at Jareng village with18 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa respectively.

35-year-old Juldeh Touray was also arrested on the same day with three (3) parcels of suspected cannabis sativa.

The team equally raided several joints and hotspots notorious for the dealing and open abuse of prohibited and controlled drugs.

DLEAG says it will continue to raid drug hotspots and make necessary arrests to curb the sale and abuse of illegal drugs in the country. The law enforcement agency notes that it will continue to update the public as events unfold.

All three suspects are in custody as investigations continue.

The race to grab places at the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire begins this week with the preliminary round which will decide the six teams to advance to the group stage of the qualification tournament.

The preliminary round consisted of the twelve lowest-ranked countries among the 54 entrants: Somalia, Mauritius, Gambia, South Sudan, Chad, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Lesotho, Djibouti, Eswatini, Botswana and Eritrea.

Even before the matches kick-off, Botswana have already booked their place in the qualification group stage after Eritrea withdrew from the competition.

With the exception of Gambia and Mauritius who made their maiden AFCON appearance in the last edition in Cameroon and in 1974 respectively.

Tom Saintfiet, the Belgian coach who transformed Gambia from minnows to Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finalists this year, desperately wants to avoid the fate that befell Madagascar.

Debutants Madagascar took the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt by storm, stunning Nigeria in a group match, then eliminating the Democratic Republic of Congo before falling to Tunisia in the quarter-finals.

But as quickly as the Malagasy rose, they crashed, failing to make it to the 2021 Cup of Nations and winning only one of six World Cup qualifiers.

Saintfiet wants Gambia, a small coastal west African nation surrounded by Senegal, to build on a great run in Cameroon, where they upset Tunisia and Guinea before losing a last-eight clash with the hosts.

“We do not want to be remembered as one-tournament wonders — we want to qualify for the 2023 and 2025 Cup of Nations finals and for the 2026 World Cup,” he told reporters in Gambia.

Gambia play Chad on Thursday, one day after qualifying for the 2023 Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast kicks off, and the Belgian is worried, even though they are facing rivals ranked 180th in the world.

“Our matches against Chad will be tougher than those against Guinea and Tunisia,” insisted the 48-year-old who has coached national teams in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

“We have a lot to lose while Chad has nothing to lose. They can call on professionals based in France and Belgium and are a good team.”

While Saintfiet is wary of Chad, they are one of 10 countries among the 54 in Africa who have never qualified for the Cup of Nations.

Sadly, neither the first leg, nor the return match next Tuesday, will be played in the respective countries because no Chadian or Gambian stadiums meet international standards.

Chad hosts the first encounter in the Cameroon capital, Yaounde, while Gambia will use the Moroccan coastal city of Agadir for their ‘home’ fixture.

The Gambia Government through the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Finance and Economic Affairs held a joint stakeholder meeting yesterday with major importers of essential commodities and seriously discussed issues over the rising prices of essential goods.

During the ministerial meeting, The Gambia Government acknowledged the external circumstances emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic and the current situation in Ukraine as significant economic factors affecting the global supply chain. While that is true, The Government expressed concern over the recent increment of prices of basic commodities in the domestic market. Government notes that this pattern is disproportionately getting frequent and warns that such brutal daily retail price increases are totally unacceptable.

Specifically, there is worrisome evidence of multiple price increases of a commodity within the day (price of the same commodity costing, say D100 in the morning and rises to D125 in the evening within the same locality). This behavior is an example of price gouging which is not in line with the principle of free market economics.

Consumers should not be taken advantage of in these challenging times particularly, as we approach the Holy month of Ramadan. Government has not increased any duty or taxes relating to these essential commodities and expects the retailers to be reasonable in their pricing and failure to comply may require Government to deploy tools to address the anomaly.

Government through GRA, GCCPC and other state security apparatus will embark on a strong monitoring of retail prices to ensure that consumers are not exploited. The Gambia Government is therefore, calling on all the retailers of essential commodities to be fair in their pricing failing which shall result in the prosecution of violators under the Competition Act, 2007.

Members of the public are assured of Government’s continued commitment in ensuring that essential commodities are available and affordable to the population. In attendance were representatives of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), The Gambia Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), as well as representatives of Clearing and Shipping Agencies.

By: Christian Conteh

Gambia’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment has warned traders to desist from taking advantage of consumers in these challenging times, particularly as the nation approaches the Holy Month of Ramadan.

In a press release dated 22nd March 2022 the ministry noted that the government has not increased any duty or taxes relating to these essential commodities and therefore expects retailers to be reasonable in their pricing.

The ministry informed traders that through the GRA, GCCPC and other state security apparatus they will embark on strong monitoring of retail prices to ensure that consumers are not exploited.

“The government is therefore calling on all the retailers of essential commodities to be fair in their pricing. Failure to comply will lead to prosecution of violators under the Competition Act of 2007.”

Although the government acknowledges that external factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia -Ukraine war have had an effect on global prices, it notes that the increase in the price of essential commodities in the domestic market is disproportionately getting more frequent on a daily basis, which it says is unacceptable.

It emphasises its continued commitment to ensuring that essential commodities are available to the Gambian population.

By: Sainabou Sambou

President Adama Barrow on Saturday 19th March 2022 embarked on a meet the people tour. The tour according to the NPP Leader was to interact with the people and use the moment as a period to campaign for his NPP and Coalition candidates in the April 9 National Assembly Elections.

Gambians around the Kanifing Municipality have expressed divergent views about President Barrow’s ongoing tour. Alasana Sallah a vendor at the Serrekunda market describes the president’s tour as a political one. He said the president should not have gone for the tour he should rather solve the problem between the rebels and the Senegalese soldiers who ran into the Gambia.

He further noted that there is no price control in the Gambia and that is a problem that must be solved before heading to campaign for his candidates.

“The president is using the state resources to campaign for his candidates which is wrong, he could have put those resources into something else,” he said.

Abdoulie Ceesay a vendor of second-hand clothing said President Barrow’s meet the people tour is very important because he wants to know the problems that the people are faced with.

He said President Barrow has all the right to campaign for his national assembly candidates and there is nothing wrong in doing that.

Binta Njie is also a vendor at the busy Serekunda market she expressed her dissatisfaction with the president’s decision to embark on a meet the people tour.

She said president Barrow should not go and campaign for his national assembly candidates, but the candidates should do that for themselves.

“He is using the state resources for this tour, we all know that when the president goes for a day’s tour, he uses a lot of money.” Adding that everything is hard in the country and the price of essential commodities are increasing.

“Everything is expensive and Ramadan is approaching, a cup of cooking oil is twenty-five dalasis (D25), a cup of sugar is twelve dalasis (D12) things are very expensive,” she said.

She further noted that there is war in the Casamance Region and the president should talk about it because the rebels say The Gambia has interfered in their war. She noted that the rebels normally run into The Gambia for safety so President Barrow should talk about that and prevent war in The Gambia.

Mass Corr another vendor also shared his thoughts about the president’s tour. He said the president has the right to meet the people and know their problems.

He further noted that the cost of living is very hard in the Gambia and the president should do something about price control rather than campaigning for his national assembly candidates.