By Michaella Faith Wright

The Agro Youth Project Gambia, managed by Yero Bah under the Collective Action for Sustainable Development Organization, is driving agricultural development across the West Coast Region through training programs and sustainable solutions to address challenges faced by local farmers.

The Agro Youth Project Gambia is being implemented in the West Coast Region to promote agro-entrepreneurship and sustainable farming practices. “We are conducting several activities, starting with data collection to inform our agro-entrepreneurship training program for selected trainers,” Yero Bah, the project manager, explained.

The project emphasizes the Training of Trainers model, where participants undergo five days of intensive sessions in agricultural entrepreneurship. The project also integrates UNLEASH Hack Gambia, a global initiative aimed at identifying local agricultural challenges and developing solutions. As part of the project, team members visit farmers and agriculturalists to understand their struggles and explore ways to resolve them.

One of the primary challenges identified during these visits is water scarcity, which continues to hinder crop production. “After assessing these challenges, we returned to conduct further workshops to align with our partners in Germany,” said Bah. The project not only focuses on technical agricultural practices but also introduces business strategies to help farmers see agriculture as a viable commercial enterprise.

Another milestone of the Agro Youth Project is the successful training of 15 agricultural trainers, conducted in collaboration with German partners through both online and in-person sessions. Additionally, 16 women entrepreneurs from the West Coast Region participated in intensive workshops designed to empower them and promote gender inclusion in the agricultural sector.

“Through these initiatives, we hope to shift perceptions about agriculture in The Gambia and provide solutions for a better future where the country can produce its own food,” Bah emphasized. He also highlighted the importance of patience and knowledge in agriculture, stressing that sustainable farming requires time and dedication.

The project aims to build capacity across agricultural institutions in The Gambia, encouraging collaboration to overcome challenges such as resource management, commercial agriculture skills, and sustainable farming practices.

“We want to create a better Gambia — one that can meet its food needs independently and empower farmers through knowledge and entrepreneurship,” said Bah, manager of Agro Youth Project Gambia

By Alieu Jallow

Following a tragic incident in North Bank where seven NAWEC subcontractors were killed due to electrocution, Abdou Ceesay, a health and safety officer, emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures and accountability, noting that the incident could have been averted or minimized if proper safety measures had been put in place. 

He cited negligence and regulatory failures in an interview with The Fatu Network.

Last Wednesday, October 9, the North Bank community was shocked by a tragic electrocution event that claimed the lives of seven individuals. Reports indicated that the victims were changing an old electric pole when a sudden surge of electricity struck, leading to a cascade of devastation.

“My observation of this tragic incident is total negligence of safety measures as they were working basically without personal protective equipment as they only had a helmet which was not tied to their heads and some of them were using slippers to work,” he said.

During the ongoing police investigations, Ceesay claimed that the company did not comply with safety regulations nor properly train their employees for working in hazardous conditions.

He also pointed out that the reflectors worn by them were not suitable, as they provided only static light and were therefore not recommended.

“It is just a negligent conduct. The safety officers in the company did not live up to expectations as they flouted the safety measures,” Ceesay said.

The tragic outcome of this incident brings to light wider issues regarding regulatory compliance and enforcement in The Gambia. In response, Ceesay stated that his foundation would push for the implementation of a safety policy act across all Gambian institutions to prevent such unfortunate fatalities.

“Effective regulatory frameworks are essential to prevent such tragedies. We can only sympathise and sensitise, and we will try to work with the government to provide a sympathy package for victims”.

By Dawda Baldeh

Members of the Association of Cement Importers and Traders Alliance of the Gambia have accused Jah Oil and Gacem cement companies of selling under-weigh bags of cement contrary to their 50kg label.

They described this as a criminal act and called on the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) to intervene to ensure consumers receive the value for their purchases.

The association members made these allegations following a routine inspection of various cement stores and retail outlets on Saturday, October 12th, 2024.

During the inspection, members bought several bags of cement from different local bargaining companies at various locations and conducted a weighting test.

During the weighing test conducted in the presence of the media, the cement association members alleged that certain local bagging companies were filling the 50kg bags with only 41-48kg cement and misrepresenting them as 50kg bags. They view this as criminal conduct.

Accordingly, the association discovered that Salam Company is the “only one currently selling true 50kg bags of cement” in The Gambia.

They reported that, upon inspection, bags of cement purchased from retailers Gacem and Jah Oil did not meet the 50kg standard.

They expressed concern over this issue, characterising it as exploitation of Gambian consumers by providing bags of cement that are not up to 50kg.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Momodou Jobe, a member of the Cement Importers and Traders Alliance said: “We have found that some local bagging companies (Jah Oil and Gacem) are not providing the correct quantity of cement.

“The labelling on their packaging indicates 50kg, but this is not the reality as far as our investigation is concerned.

“We conducted a random weighing from different stores. If you buy cement from any company, go weigh it and see what you have.

“So far, we have discovered that Jah Oil is filling their bags from 41kg, 43kg, 45kg, or up to 47kg, while Gacem is filling their bags from 45kg to 49 and they are selling them to the public without any suspicion.

“This is unacceptable and violates competition rules,” Jobe said.

Jobe further advised customers to check the cement they purchased at any store.

“We visited numerous retail shops and outlets, and what we discovered is astonishing; so far, only Salam Trading is selling genuine 50kg bags of cement.

Jobe revealed that the highest weight of the cement they purchased from Jah Oil from different locations, including their store in Coastal Road was 47kg.

Jobe also alleged that local bagging companies are charging consumers between 5 to 15 per cent more than the actual amount.

“They make substantial profits in the millions from cheating on customers,” he alleged.

According to Jobe, the local bagging companies are taking advantage of consumers and called on the GCCPC to take action by verifying the weight of cement bags sold to unsuspected Gambians who are paying for more than they get.

“The Gambian consumers are the ones suffering because no one is receiving the quantity they paid for; per kilogram, they are paying more for cement.

“Imagine buying cement for D380 expecting 50kg but receiving only 40kg; this means they are overcharging you for 10kg, and this situation arises when there is a lack of competition in the market,” he said.

Other speakers included Baba Drammeh, a member of the alliance who was also part of the inspection team.

Like many others, Mr. Drammeh expressed his dissatisfaction with local bagging companies.

“These people are robbing the customers in a daylight. People are paying for what they are not getting. These companies are cheating the customers almost D57 per bag,” he said.

Mr. Drammeh questioned why Jah Oil is still maintaining the price of cement at the same price even though the Euro has risen significantly.

“This tells you that they are cheating the customers. The government needs to take action and regulate the market to ensure that each bag of cement sold to consumers weighs 50kg as labelled.

“The government should impose penalties on those who fear competition and are reinforcing the monopoly of the cement industry in the country,” he added.

Efforts to get comments from Jah Oil and Gacem remain unsuccessful at the time of this publication. The Fatu Network will keep trying to get their side of the story.

However, the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) has issued a statement warning businesses from the alleged sale of underweight bags of cement and warned to take serious measures.

“We encourage all affected customers to file a formal complaint at the commission about any discrepancies they observed in the weight of cement bags or its label,” the commission said.

This situation has arisen amid increasing concerns among the cement importers and traders alliance regarding the Government’s actions on road transportation of cement, which have exceeded previously established fees.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The arrival of the first flight marks a significant milestone for The Gambia’s tourism sector, which has been steadily recovering and growing in recent years.

Tourists who arrived in Banjul on Friday from London described The Gambia as their favorite destination, saying it’s peaceful.

The Gambia Experience has been a key player in promoting the country as a prime holiday destination, and the enthusiastic reception of tourists at Banjul International Airport reflects this effort.

Becky, who is visiting The Gambia for the third time, shares her excitement about returning to the country.

“I love the warmth of the people and the beautiful beaches. This year, I brought my daughter along so she can experience the culture and beauty of The Gambia,” she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Dias, a first-time visitor, expressed his eagerness to explore the local attractions.

“I’ve heard so much about the stunning landscapes and the vibrant culture. I can’t wait to try the local cuisine and visit the national parks,” he shared, clearly looking forward to his adventure.

Christ, a seasoned traveler to The Gambia, spoke fondly of the country. “Every time I come here, I find something new to appreciate.

It’s such a calm and peaceful place, perfect for relaxation and exploration,” he noted, reflecting on his many visits.

As the tourists prepare to embark on their journeys across The Gambia, the atmosphere remains vibrant and welcoming.

The sounds of traditional drumming and the smiles of local residents create a warm environment that sets the tone for a memorable holiday.

Foday Bah from the Gambia Tourism Board emphasized the importance of this season for the country’s economy.

“We are thrilled to see the first flight arrive, and it showcases the dedication of everyone involved in promoting The Gambia as a tourist destination.

We are committed to ensuring that every visitor has a safe and enjoyable experience,” he stated.

With the expectation of over 233,000 arrivals and a robust schedule of flights, the tourism sector is poised for a successful season.

The Gambia’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality continues to attract visitors from around the world, making it a cherished destination for many.

By: Mama A. Touray

In its objective to clean up the government payroll of absentee workers, otherwise known as “ghost workers”—employees who unceremoniously leave their jobs—a problem that has been a perennial issue in the public service, the Personnel Management Office (PMO), as part of its routine exercise, conducted a staff audit at the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Health, and Agriculture.

A release shared by the Ministry of Information stated, “At the end of the said audit, over 3,000 civil servants could not be physically identified by the audit teams that visited every school, health facility, and agricultural office/station around the country.”

The release further noted that a list of “unseen staff” was generated and shared with the respective ministries for their reviews and comments. Some responses were received regarding the whereabouts of these staff, and their statuses were verified and confirmed.

The release continued: “It was after all this that a final list of ‘unseen staff’ was generated and shared with the respective ministries, informing them that if no further responses were received regarding their staff in question, their salaries would be stopped for the month of September. This led to the stoppage of the salaries of 3,024 civil servants for the month of September.”

As part of the process, the release detailed that those who come forward after their salaries are stopped must provide attestation from their heads of institutions, proof of attendance, or documentation for maternity leave or sick leave. Without this, their salaries will not be reinstated.

“After two weeks of salary stoppage, as of 9th October 2024, only 882 have so far been verified and confirmed as regular civil servants out of the 3,024 whose salaries were stopped, leaving an outstanding number of over 2,142 civil servants yet to be accounted for.”

The Personnel Management Office will conduct similar exercises to cover the rest of the Civil Service, including the Security Forces and pensioners.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Service has announced digitization strategies, including the installation of biometric time attendance machines linked to the payroll system. According to the ministry, this system will automatically stop a civil servant’s salary if they do not clock in for more than one month, unless an explanation is provided to restore their salary.

The ministry also advised civil servants who intend to stay away from work due to ill health, maternity, further studies, or resignation to abide by the existing procedures in accordance with the General Orders and PSC Regulations.