By Dawda Baldeh

For many years, Gambians have relied on traditional farming methods, cultivating crops primarily for consumption and not leveraging modern technologies to create income for sustainable living.

Recently, The Fatu Network visited Gikay Farms in the Kombo East District, where agricultural production has been greatly enhanced through modern farming techniques.

These advanced methods are contributing to a significant reduction in subsistence farming, paving the way for commercial agriculture to thrive. This transition has led to increased crop yields and productivity, facilitating the production of food on a larger scale and creating opportunities for export.

Muhammed Jawara operates Gikay Farms, which focuses on mechanical agriculture.

“This country has a lot of potential and one of the areas that are untapped is agriculture that Gambians whether young or old, male or female need to venture into,” Jawara said.

Muhammed owned 34 hectares of land dedicated to diverse agricultural practices. The agricultural sector is crucial for creating jobs, combating food scarcity, and generating income, as seen in developed nations where it forms the cornerstone of development.

Muhammed, a young Gambian from the diaspora, returned home to delve into mechanical agriculture, seeking to rejuvenate the industry with varied farming techniques.

“It is extremely important to mechanize agriculture if you want to invest in it whether small or large scale because it makes your work easier and gives you better yields,” he said.

Despite the size of his farm, an irrigation system has been installed at Gikay Farms to enable the free floor of water to boost production. At Gikay Farms, various crops are cultivated in synchronized harvesting to efficiently meet the demands of their customers.

“We have different varieties of onions and okra to meet the needs of our different customers,” he added.

Muhammed demonstrates his passion for agriculture by hiring experts in the field to enhance productivity on the farm.

“I hired the experts to help do the job because I am not an expert. I just have the passion and invest in it,” he explained.

Despite common stereotypes that regard agriculture as a poor man’s business, Muhammed encourages young individuals to engage in agriculture for wealth creation and a decent life.

“People think agriculture is a business for the poor but what they fail to understand is that agriculture is a rewarding business. It may cost you four hundred thousand dalasis to cultivate a hectare of onions, but you can get over one to two million dalasis out of that,” he said.

Agriculture, an essential practice for sustaining human life and generating economic profit, requires a combination of creativity, imagination, and skill – all integrated with modern production methods and advanced technologies.

By: Zackline Colley

The National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA), with support from the American Bar Association through the Promoting Rights and Justice in The Gambia (PRJ) activity, a USAID-funded project, successfully concluded a two-day multi-stakeholder round table conference on May 20th and 21st. The event focused on enhancing access to legal services through improved coordination and collaboration among legal aid providers.

The conference aimed to assess the current status of access to justice in The Gambia, emphasizing the crucial role of legal aid in transitional justice and the implementation of post-Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommendations. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the significant and ongoing unmet needs of justice seekers, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, and explored ways to ensure compliance with international standards.

Key stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and international partners, attended the conference. Their collaborative efforts highlighted the importance of a unified approach to legal aid provision and identified strategies for overcoming existing challenges in the justice system.

NALA Board Member M, John Charles Njie, remarked, “This conference provided a vital platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights on improving legal aid services. Our discussions have reinforced the need for a cohesive and collaborative effort to ensure that justice is accessible to all, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable populations.”

The conference underscored the role of legal aid in the broader context of transitional justice, focusing on how legal support can facilitate the implementation of TRRC recommendations. Participants examined the barriers faced by justice seekers and proposed actionable solutions to address these challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustained efforts and international cooperation.

Representatives from the American Bar Association and USAID highlighted their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote justice and human rights in The Gambia. They commended the collaborative spirit of the conference and expressed optimism about the future of legal aid in the country.

As the conference drew to a close, stakeholders agreed on a set of recommendations aimed at improving legal aid services. These included enhancing capacity-building initiatives for legal aid providers, increasing public awareness about available legal services, and fostering stronger partnerships between government and civil society organizations.

The successful conclusion of this round table conference marks a significant step towards a more coordinated and effective legal aid system in The Gambia, paving the way for a justice system that is more accessible and equitable for all citizens.

By: Alieu Jallow

Gibbi Fatty, a revenue collector at the Brikama Area Council, has admitted to diverting the council’s revenue for his personal use. He made this revelation during his testimony at the ongoing local government commission.

Fatty detailed his revenue collection and submission scheme, noting that in 2018 and 2019, the revenue he collected was handed directly to the council’s Principal Cashier, who issued him a receipt for each submission. He explained how the council’s new policy of depositing all collected revenues into a bank account provided him with opportunities to misappropriate some of the council’s funds for his own benefit. The witness confirmed depositing funds into Eco Bank, GT Bank, and Trust Bank.

Following the introduction of the council banking system, Fatty began using his private vehicle for assessments. In cases of vehicle breakdowns, he used the council’s revenue to cover repair costs, justifying this by stating that his fuel was used for the council’s daily transactions.

On October 18, 2018, the commission found Mr. Fatty liable for declaring D2,250 and D2,000 on October 5, 2018, and D28,050 on October 19, 2018, totaling Thirty-Two Thousand Three Hundred Dalasi (D32,300). The witness claimed to have repaid this amount following an audit report.

Additionally, he was questioned about the whereabouts of Thirty-One Thousand Dalasi (D31,000) in revenue collected from July 7 to October 5, 2022, using the revenue collection device, which he also failed to declare.

Furthermore, the commission presented three cash books of the council from Eco Bank, Trust Bank, and GT Bank for verification. Fatty acknowledged not seeing those deposits reflected in the records.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Cement Importers’ Association has accused the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment of favouritism following the recent increase in import duties on cement.

They allege that the hike is designed to benefit local bagging operators like Jah Oil, Salam, and Gacem by obstructing the importation of cement by road from other African nations.

The association contends that this move is contrary to The Gambia’s pledge to foster intra-African trade and that this policy will lead to increased cement prices and a diminished supply.

They argued that the local bagging operators have limited capacity and do not actually produce cement, while consumers prefer African-made cement.

Additionally, the shelf life of the cement imported by the bagging operators is less than 30 days, compared to the Senegalese cement with a 90-day shelf life.

The association also raised concerns about the broader industry and economic impact of the policy.

They believed that it would lead to job losses, reduced tax revenue, and higher transport costs for Gambian exports.

They argued that the policy puts the Gambia at risk of supply chain shocks and potential trade conflicts with Senegal, which is an important trading partner.

The association criticized the lack of transparency from the bagging operators, highlighting their exemption from import duties and other taxes.

They claimed that the recent increase in import duties will lead to job losses and accuse Jah Oil of importing employees from Mali to run their operations.

The association concluded by calling for the resignation of the Minister of Trade, Baboucarr Joof, whom they accuse of favouritism and incompetence.

They argued that his policy prioritizes the interests of a single individual, Hamidou Jah, over the economic well-being of Gambians and undermines the government’s commitment to local employment, small businesses, and a fair market.

They called for the resignation of the trade minister citing incompetence.

The Fatu Network has contacted the Ministry of Trade through its Communication Officer’s office for a response to the allegations, and they have promised to get back once they have details of the Cement Importers’ Association’s press release.

By: Alieu Jallow

As The Gambia kicks off the 2024 population and housing census, the Statistician General of the Gambia Bureau of Statistics, Nyakassi Sanyang, has called on Gambians’ cooperation in ensuring a successful census. Speaking to our reporter, SG Sanyang outlined that if people fail to cooperate with their enumerators, it will affect the data quality and result in under-reporting, which will have an impact on policy and decision-making processes. This could jeopardize the country’s desired goals and development programs, both locally and internationally.

“It is a very important exercise, and a lot of resources are being put into this. These resources could be directed towards other development areas. So, let us know that regardless of whether you are pro-government or anti-government, any government that comes in will rely on this information. This is a national duty, and we call upon everybody to respond to this call,” he appealed.

The year 2023 was designated for the conduct of another census by default. However, this exercise failed to take place, which, according to the Statistician General, was due to the transition from manual to digital census, requiring comprehensive preparation. Similarly, he cited the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that the government was more focused on mitigating the impact of the pandemic, thus giving little attention to the census.

“A digital census requires a lot of resources that need to be put in place before the actual census. Since it’s the first time, in fact, we were not fully prepared in terms of knowledge. We didn’t have adequate knowledge at the beginning of exactly what was supposed to happen. So, by the time we started doing things, we realized that there are a lot more things to be done, and these delays the conduct of the population census,” he outlined.

There were widespread complaints from participants in many training centers, with most participants indicating that the quality and quantity of food given fell below standards, resulting in others experiencing stomach abnormalities. These concerns were acknowledged by Mr. Sanyang, who distanced GBOS’ direct responsibilities in handling the feeding of participants. Meanwhile, as the body responsible for implementing the general conduct of the census, he gave assurance of engaging relevant stakeholders to look into the issue of food.

“We have received many queries from centers about the food quality and quantity, and their concerns are noted. We will report these feedbacks of the trainees, and I’m sure they will take action,” he affirmed.

This is the first time the country is embarking on a digital census, shifting away from the old paper method of recording details. The Statistician General assures Gambians of timely reporting of the census and equally provides them the opportunity to correct and regulate any errors made in the field and tabulate the enumerated figures daily.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The community of Bush Town in the Central River Region, North, has been compensated with a state-of-the-art Eco-lodge Center to serve as a source of revenue generation for preserving their forest. The center, constructed under the Global Environment Facility (GEF 6 project) through the National Environmental Agency, aims to enhance biodiversity conservation across the country through ecosystem restoration and the expansion of protected areas such as forests.

Speaking to journalists at the project site, Njaga Touray, Deputy Executive Director of the National Environmental Agency and the Focal Point for the GEF 6 project, said an assessment of different areas across the country was conducted, revealing that Bush Town has one of the best forests in the country. “The forest is intact, and there is no coal production or cutting of trees. Inside the forest is just marvelous. It has different pieces of beautiful wildlife, including birds that can attract tourism to the country,” he said.

When questioned why the project built the Eco-lodge in the community, Mr. Touray responded, “This is to motivate the community to preserve their forest and find an alternative source of income without cutting down trees.” He further explained that the forest is thick and green, making it an attractive place for visitors who love to explore the beauty of nature.

Emphasizing the significance of the center, Mr. Touray stressed that conservation is only possible when there is a benefit. “This is why we built this eco-lodge for the community so they can benefit from preserving their forest, and any money generated from this center will remain in the community,” he added.

The forest is divided from the upland by a waterbody that stretches across, giving it a beautiful view. Project officials also revealed plans to build a bridge to provide easy access to the forest for visitors. Additionally, they mentioned plans to construct watchtowers and resting places in the forest for visitors.

The residents of Bush Town also expressed profound gratitude to the GEF 6 project for constructing the Eco-lodge center as an alternative source of revenue and vowed to continue protecting the forest from any man-made harm.

By: Alieu Jallow

Following a publication by The Fatu Network on a widow, Jamie Jallow, who is enduring the burden of raising and supporting her four children after the loss of her firstborn, Ebrima Jallow, to a violent thunderstorm in June 2020 and her husband to a long illness five months later, followers from home and abroad have expressed concern and empathy for her. Some have sent their support to help ease her burden.

While delivering some of the donations made by our followers to her, Jamie Jallow expressed her gratitude to the donors, underscoring how the support will go a long way in helping her feed her family.

“I cannot say much as my heart is full of joy. I realize that there are still good Muslims around who empathize with me. I ask that the Almighty Allah reward you abundantly. I will cherish this gesture forever. I want to thank The Fatu Network for amplifying my voice; this help could not have come without your intervention.”

Jamie is not only facing challenges in feeding and raising her children but also in housing. She lives in a dilapidated single room with her kids, with the kitchen right at the entrance. The smoke from the kitchen is directly emitted into the house, which is having some health effects.

Two years ago, a member of the community in Sohm village gave her a piece of land for her and her children to call their own, but due to her inability to finance a house, the land remains unused. She appeals for support to erect at least a two-bedroom house to give her children a comfortable place to live.

“I am grateful for the support from your followers, but I would be very grateful if you could help me and my children achieve our dream of having a home. We have been living in a single room for over a decade now. My children are sometimes restricted in terms of doing certain activities.”

One of The Fatu Network’s followers in the UK said, “I’m a child of a single mother, so I understand what she’s going through. But Allah is still here. I just wish we, as humans and Muslims, were kinder towards each other. It’s not much, but I hope this little amount helps her with food for the time being. I pray that Allah, who provides, looks after Jamie and her children.”

Another emotional donor in Brikama couldn’t hold back her tears as she called on people to support the poor widow.

Many followers have expressed their support for Jamie, which will go a long way in helping restore her hope for life and build her psychological strength. She is still open for support as she dreams of living in a house that is hers.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Mayor of Banjul City Council, Rohey Malick Lowe, has secured new prospects for the citizens of Banjul through a membership agreement with the Institute of the Region of Europe (IRE).

This agreement marks Banjul as the first city in the subregion to gain acceptance into the IRE after extensive discussions.

The Gambia’s sole female mayor is in Austria for the 4GameChanger Festival 2024. During the festival, Mayor Lowe, who was invited to discuss Africa-Europe Relations, expressed that it presented a significant opportunity to seek benefits for the people of Banjul.

“I was requested to propose the future of Europe – Africa relations, especially in the area of gender equality,” she said.

She added: “I engaged in discussions on empowering women and youths, especially in the domain of agriculture.”

Mayor Lowe expressed enthusiasm as organizations with significant financial resources and capacity reached agreements with BCC to establish partnerships.

“Am happy to announce that Banjul is now a member of The Institute of the Regions of Europe after months of discussions and lobbying.

“This membership will open more doors for development projects to flow into our city,” she disclosed.”

She acknowledged that Banjul is the first African city to be accepted, and she also recognized her contribution, understanding that the council is currently facing challenges.

Mayor Lowe conveyed her deep appreciation to the President of the Institute of Regions of Europe and his team for their hospitality and for placing their trust in the city of Banjul.

The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) functions as a communication platform for regions, towns, businesses, investors, academia, and administrations, and it focuses on creating networks to advocate for regional and local interests.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Authorities have apprehended an accused online sex scammer who allegedly engaged in sexual activities with numerous Gambian girls, promising them an opportunity to travel to the United States.

According to a reliable source, the perpetrator pretended to be a Caucasian (white) American online to entice young girls into sexual activities with him here in The Gambia. He allegedly used a fake Facebook account of a white man to make promises of a trip to America in exchange for sexual favors.

It was discovered that the fake account was used to inform one of the girls that she would only be taken to America if she engaged in a sexual relationship with his Gambian associate (the perpetrator himself), so they could travel together as a couple.

The fake account then provided the girl with a local (Gambian) number, which, according to the Caucasian man, belongs to his associate in The Gambia. The girl proceeded to reach out to him.

This alleged sex scammer informed the girl that his Caucasian friend had informed him about her.

Alarmed by the suspicion of the scam, a plan was devised to catch the suspect, and the police were contacted. The alleged perpetrator was apprehended following a meeting with the girl at a residence where intimate relations were anticipated to occur.

During their interaction with the perpetrator, he allegedly dubiously informed the girl that if she did not engage in sexual activities with him, she would not receive the necessary documents to travel to America. Furthermore, he allegedly required her to have sexual relations with him three times daily to pass a certain test.

The matter was reported to, and is being handled by, the Sukuta Police.