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.

By Mama A. Touray

The Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay Wednesday briefed the media on key ministry intervention areas at a press conference at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.

Ceesay relayed details from the Ministry of Youths and Sports’ press release, stating, “The Ministry of Youths and Sports has approved D12 million as a contribution to the Gambia Football Federation for the national teams’ upcoming AFCON 2025 qualification against Madagascar”.

He mentioned that the approved D12 million will cover flight tickets, accommodation, and match bonuses for games scheduled on the 11th and 14th of October 2024, which will take place in Morocco.

The information minister also provided an update that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is set to distribute textbooks to senior secondary students across the country. He added that the textbooks, authored by Gambian writers, aim to reflect the local context and enhance the quality of education in the Gambia.

“The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to improve education service delivery and for the first time in history, we have books that are written by Gambians reflecting our history, geographic, social norms, tradition and our culture,” he said.

Ceesay informed the media that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has successfully evacuated all Gambians residing in Lebanon due to the escalating situation in that region. Additionally, he mentioned that the office of the First Lady has granted scholarships to the top ten female students of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

The ceremony, which took place at the state house, was held to honour the academic achievements of these exceptional young female students and to promote excellence among young girls in the Gambia.

By Dawda Baldeh

Banka Manneh, the Public Relations Manager at Sino Majilac Jalbak (SMJ), has addressed the issue of the alleged increase in sand prices from D475 per cubic unit to D650, which led to a protest by truck drivers who purchased sand from the mining site at the Denton Bridge.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Mr. Manneh responded to the allegations and denied the drivers’ claims.

According to him, when SMJ began operating in The Gambia a few years ago, their price was at D650 per cubic but due to high market competition at the time they decided to lower the price to D475 to get business.

He asserted that drivers at the time were reluctant to buy their sand as they were getting it cheaper at the coasts.

Furthermore, Manneh noted that miners at the coast don’t incur much expense because they just get land, dig it and take the sand without any major expenses.

“It involves no operational cost in terms of machinery, fuels, or expatriates at the coast…,” he said.

According to him, this was the reason those mining at the coast could charge any price.

However, he claimed the mining has caused devastating environmental disasters, thereby deterring people from accessing the beach due to excess damage caused by mining.

“We decided to reduce the price from D650 to D375 and then move it to D475 per cubic to be able to get business even though the company was operating at a loss,” he said.

Mr. Manneh stated this was aimed at keeping their business alive.

However, after years of operating on the same price, Manneh said the company was incurring losses, prompting them to return the price to D650 per cubic.

“There wasn’t a price increase, we just returned it to where it was some years ago and the drivers know that,” he noted.

He cited the high rate of the dollar over the Gambian dalasis and the lack of subsidies from the government as key factors for returning the price to its previous rate.

“When we started operating the dollar was between D48 and D50 but now it’s between D70 to D72 per dollar.

“We are paying the Chinese, who run the vessels and operate the machines, in dollars.

“We are not buying fuel in dalasis and cost has increased,” he said.

Subsequently, Manneh announced that the issue had been resolved and the price had been lowered to D575 after engaging with the government and stakeholders.

The price has been reduced to D575 per cubic and the drivers are back, according to Mr. Manneh.

He also claimed that drivers have not been operating at a loss.

“When the drivers come here, they buy seven (7) cubic meters for the ten-wheel truck and sell it to customers as ten cubic.

“The customers out there look at ten wheels and think they are buying ten cubic which is not the case,” he said.

For Mr. Manneh, the drivers make a decent profit from the business.

“[For] a trip to Lamin, they charge about D9,500 and they make good profit. We do not squeeze the drivers.

“There is enough chance for the drivers to make profits without increasing the price exponentially,” he added.

Responding to questions of whether they could consider the plight of the general market, Manneh said SMJ is currently the only sand mining company in the country.

“We must do everything to protect it because if it goes out of business, the general market will be a disaster for the economy because it will affect all the businesses selling building materials and the construction industry,” he said.

By: Mama A. Touray

In its mandate to regulate, develop, and oversee the country’s tourism sector, which is a critical enabler of the economy, contributing at least 20% of the GDP, the Gambia Tourism Board is expecting a total of about 233,000 tourist arrivals or more this season.

The tourism season is set to commence this month, with more arrivals expected. Already, 24 chartered flights have been booked, with 33 scheduled arrivals per week.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Information at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Abubacarr S. Camara, the Managing Director of the Gambia Tourism Board, said that given the recovery-focused National Development Plan (NDP), which states that the tourism sector should reach 500,000 arrivals by the end of the GDP target period, they created a formula and calculation to help meet this target by increasing arrivals by 13%.

“If you do the calculation, we have been meeting this target, and by the end of this season, we should be able to see a good increase in the number of tourists, with about 232,000 arrivals or more,” he told the press.

Camara added, “We are going to see an increase in the number of arrivals based on the calculations we have and the discussions we’ve had with our tour operators. Everything remains in place, and be rest assured that we will be able to achieve a significant increase.”

Meanwhile, the GT Board Director informed the media that “The Gambia’s tourism industry is now on the path to recovery, supported by a stable political climate, increased tourist arrivals, and government investment in infrastructure such as the Bertil Harding Highway and other roads constructed in both urban and rural areas.”

These, he said, are all catalysts that will help the Gambia Tourism Board promote Destination Gambia.

By Michaella Faith Wright

In partnership with Rog Agency, the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) has officially launched the Young Women’s Media and Information Literacy Initiative (YoMIL) in The Gambia.

The initiative aims to empower 280 young women across the country, enhance their participation in the media sector through media and information literacy training, and equip them with the tools to contribute confidently to the media landscape.

In his opening statement, James Badjie, the Director of Training at MAJaC, expressed his excitement about the program. “I am happy to welcome you all to this wonderful program as we officially launch the Young Women’s Media Information Literacy Initiative. This collaboration between MAJaC and Rog Agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation represents a powerful step towards fostering a more inclusive media landscape in The Gambia. At the heart of this project lies a profound commitment to young women, enhancing their participation in the media sector and providing them with the tools to contribute to professionalism,” Badjie said.

He further emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that it is not only about imparting knowledge but also about laying the groundwork for the future voices of women in media. Badjie also acknowledged the significant role played by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in funding the initiative. He commended the hard work of MAJaC’s team, particularly Meita Touray, Banna Sabally, and Mr. Jobe, for their efforts in making the project a reality.

Meita Touray, Project Manager for YoMIL and a Trainer at MAJaC, provided an overview of the project. She highlighted the project’s core objective of empowering young women in The Gambia through media literacy training. “This one-year project is fully sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, at the tune of 145,975 euros. The project aims to promote the inclusion of young women in the media sector, enhancing their confidence to contribute to strengthening democracy in The Gambia,” Touray explained.

Touray also addressed the challenges faced by women in the media sector, such as gender inequality, lack of institutional support, and limited decision-making spaces. Despite these hurdles, she noted the increasing interest and enrollment of young women in media training programs, such as at the University of The Gambia and MAJaC. The #YoMIL project aims to address these challenges by offering training in areas such as digital literacy, advocacy, critical thinking, and media production.

Nyima Jadama, founder and content lead of the project, encouraged the young women present to believe in their capabilities as journalists. “This training will help strengthen your skills and enable you to navigate the challenges of journalism in The Gambia. We want to see every young woman journalist take their work seriously and position themselves for leadership in their field,” Jadama said.

Nenneh Macdooll Gaye, Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission and keynote speaker, focused on the importance of harnessing the power of media and information for gender equality. “The media plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, shaping public opinion, and creating awareness. It is through the media that we can challenge stereotypes, advocate for equal opportunities, and foster inclusive development,” she said.

Amie Bojang Sissoho, Press and Public Relations Officer for the Office of the President, also spoke at the event, underscoring the relevance of media information literacy in the digital age. She emphasized the need for young women to take control of technology and use the media as a tool for positive change, especially in an era of misinformation and fake news.

The YoMIL project will train 280 young women from various regions of The Gambia and produce the first Young Women’s Media Guide, complemented by a digital app. This guide will serve as a resource for young women to navigate the media industry with confidence. The project marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable media environment in The Gambia.

By Michaella Faith Wright

Meita Touray, Project Manager for the #YoMIL initiative and a trainer at the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC), is leading efforts to empower young women in The Gambia through media literacy training. As part of a one-year project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, at a cost of 145,975 euros, Touray focuses on increasing women’s participation in the media sector and building their confidence to strengthen democracy in The Gambia.

In a recent statement, Touray shared her vision for the #YoMIL project and the need for more women to step into roles within the media industry. “The goal is to ensure young women are not only included but empowered to use media as a tool for advocacy and change,” she explained. Touray’s initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in The Gambia’s media landscape by equipping young women with essential skills such as digital literacy, advocacy, critical thinking, and media production.

Through these training programs, women are better positioned to engage with critical issues, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute meaningfully to democratic governance. “This project is about giving young women the confidence and competence they need to be active in the media space,” Touray emphasized.

However, she acknowledged the persistent challenges women in media face, including gender inequality, lack of institutional support, and limited decision-making power. Despite these challenges, there has been a noticeable increase in the interest and enrollment of young women in media training programs offered at institutions such as the University of The Gambia and MAJaC.

“We’re seeing more young women stepping forward to learn, but there is still a long way to go in breaking the barriers of inequality,” Touray remarked. The #YoMIL project, which stands for Youth Media and Information Literacy, is designed to tackle these challenges by providing women with the tools to succeed.

Touray envisions a future where the media industry in The Gambia is more inclusive and diverse, with women playing central roles in both content creation and decision-making processes. By equipping young women with the right skills, the project hopes to dismantle barriers and pave the way for women to thrive in the sector.

As the #YoMIL project continues, Touray remains dedicated to its mission of transforming The Gambia’s media landscape. “We are not just training women; we are empowering them to be voices for change,” she said.

Through her leadership, Meita Touray is not only promoting media literacy but also helping to create a future where Gambian women take their place at the forefront of the media industry, making significant contributions to both the profession and the democratic governance of the country.

By: Alieu Jallow

The Managing Director of The Voice Newspaper, Musa Sheriff, and his compatriot, Muhammed Justice Darboe, have pleaded not guilty in their false publication and broadcasting case, presided over by Magistrate M. Faal at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.

According to the prosecution, the duo is charged with false publication and broadcasting, contrary to Section 181A of the Criminal Procedure Code, Cap 10:01, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.

Particulars of the Offense
Musa Sheriff and Muhammed J. Darboe, on or about the 23rd day of September 2024, at Kanifing and various places in the Republic of The Gambia, without any lawful excuse or authority, wilfully published a news article titled “President Barrow Chooses Muhammed Jah as Successor for Presidential Candidate in the 2026 Election” in The Voice newspaper, knowingly or having reason to believe that the said publication was false. You knew it to be false at the time, thereby committing an offense.

The charges followed the duo being invited for questioning at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, 26th September 2024. They were subsequently detained and granted bail, with Muhammed J. Darboe released on bail of D25,000, while Musa Sheriff, his Managing Editor, was charged and granted bail on Monday, 30th September, for D50,000.

The case was adjourned to 30th October 2024; however, both were granted bail to the tune of D100,000.

By Dawda Baldeh

Prominent Gambian entrepreneur and mentor Njie Charakh has visited the Brikama market to engage with aspiring entrepreneurs, discussing plans to promote their products at national and international levels.

This move came barely a week after launching ‘Made in the Gambia’ products manufactured from raw materials by Gambian women and girls.

Njie, the CEO of Njie Charakh World Market, noted that as an entrepreneur, he stressed the importance of supporting one another in the booming market.

In Brikama Dasilameh, a group of women are excelling at producing salt named “Worfbi Natural Sea Salt” that they extract from the sea.

They refine the salt extracted from the sea and process it to make it meet the standard.

Speaking to reporters during the visit on Monday, Amina Njie, a member of the salt producers stated the importance of the salt.

“This salt is special and is good for health because it contains iodized which helps create hormones that retailed teary rate and blood pressure,” she said.

She also speaks about the packaging process of the salt, which she noted makes it unique.

These women are Fatou Badjie, Haddy Njie-Jatta, and Anima Njie, who import the raw salt from Senegal and reprocess it.

“This salt is safe for all to use,” Mrs. Njie added.

The women also expressed their profound gratitude to Njie for his visit which they say is crucial in helping them to reach a wider market.

After touring various places in the market and interacting with various women entrepreneurs, Njie emphasized the need for Gambian women to be supported in their daily activities.

He underscored the importance of entrepreneurship in ensuring financial independence for the development of the country.

“We want to make sure these homemade products reach everywhere in the world.

“The women entrepreneurs need support, so we are out to make sure we support them to market their products,” he said.

He noted that providing women with the opportunity to access the market is crucial to helping them grow their businesses.

For Njie, no matter what the women produced, if they don’t have the market their businesses will never grow.

He also encouraged the women to never give up in their daily entrepreneurial efforts to change the narrative.

“Our women and girls are manufacturing most the of the products we used to import and if we support them, they will make a huge impact in our country,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Pa Ndey Mbye, a prominent Star FM radio talk show host, praised Njie for his unwavering commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in the country.

“This is commendable. If Gambi has many people like Njie, this country will move forward,” he said.

Pa also expressed his impression of the products Gambian women continued to produce which were previously imported.

“These homemade products are very good, and they are healthy,” he added.

He encouraged people to adopt the habit of embracing homemade products, saying they are healthier.

“Let’s support our sisters and mothers who are making these products to regain our health as we heavily depend on imported products which often have chemicals that have health effects,” he noted.

Njie Charakh has dedicated a special section in his training centre for homemade products to help promote locally produced products.

“Gambian women are not lazy, but they lack the necessary support to grow,” he emphasized.