By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Kassa TV issued a sharp rebuttal to accusations made earlier in the day by Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), who alleged during a press conference that the online media platform had hacked his Facebook account and deliberately spread misinformation to damage his political image.

Fatty, during the press conference, firmly denied allegations that he used ChatGPT to draft political statements, describing the claim as a calculated attempt to “portray [him] as intellectually incapable.”

“Everybody in this country knows who I am—my ability to write and speak. I don’t have to defend myself,” Fatty said. “But it is a shame for Kassa TV to do this… to hack into my phone at a time when the nation is a witness to such a lie.”

He further claimed that a Facebook post cited by Kassa TV as evidence was published while he was speaking live to the press: “God being so good, the post they made appeared at a time when I was using the phone live—in front of you, the journalists.”

Fatty characterized the situation as a politically motivated smear campaign: “Kassa TV and its allies hacked into my phone to create a false political impression. They are shameless… But I can tell them that they have failed.”

Shortly after Fatty’s press conference, Kassa TV released a response titled “You Got Caught. Don’t Blame Us,” firmly rejecting the hacking allegations and doubling down on its claim that Fatty used AI-generated content in his public address.

“Let’s not waste time sugarcoating the truth,” the statement begins. “Mai Fatty used ChatGPT to write his press conference speech, and he forgot to edit out the AI-generated text before going live.”

According to the media outlet, Fatty later posted the same unedited speech to his Facebook page—before realizing the oversight. “We screenshot [it] as evidence,” Kassa TV claimed. “Now that the public has seen through the performance, he’s trying to spin the story by blaming Kassa TV for ‘spreading misinformation.’ That’s not only false—it’s embarrassing.”

Rejecting any suggestion of misconduct, Kassa TV insisted their reporting was factual and evidence-based.

“We didn’t fabricate anything. We reported the facts, backed by clear evidence: a political leader caught using AI to fake a public address,” the response read. “That’s not leadership. That’s laziness and deception.”

The statement also criticized Fatty’s approach, suggesting that instead of accepting responsibility, he chose to attack the media: “Instead of apologizing to the Gambian people, he’s attacking the media for doing its job. We won’t be intimidated. The truth doesn’t need defending—it just needs exposure.”

Whether these explosive claims and counterclaims will lead to legal consequences or simply deepen the political divide remains to be seen – but the spotlight is now firmly fixed on the intersection of AI, politics, and press freedom in The Gambia.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a dramatic press conference earlier today, Mai Ahmad Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), launched a scathing attack against online media outlet Kassa TV, accusing it of hacking his official Facebook account and deliberately spreading misinformation to tarnish his reputation.

Fatty, visibly agitated after the event, vehemently denied allegations that he used ChatGPT to draft political statements, describing the accusation as a calculated attempt to portray him as intellectually incapable.

“Everybody in this country knows who I am—my ability to write and speak. I don’t have to defend myself. But it is a shame for Kassa TV to do this,” he said. “It’s a shame for Kassa TV and her allies to hack into my phone at a time when the nation is a witness to such a lie.”

The former Interior Minister further alleged that Kassa TV and its affiliates manipulated his social media presence in an effort to discredit him politically.

“They are shameless. But I can tell them that they have failed,” he declared. “God being so good, the post they made appeared at a time when I was using the phone live—in front of you, the journalists. The picture was taken while I was standing here answering your questions. Kassa TV and its allies hacked into my phone to create a false political impression.”

According to Fatty, the alleged orchestration was part of a broader agenda to mislead the public and delegitimize him, claiming Kassa TV is aligned with political forces bent on using digital tools to ridicule and discredit opponents.

He vowed to pursue the matter with law enforcement authorities, warning that such actions not only damage individual reputations but also threaten the integrity of political discourse in the country.

As political tensions in The Gambia rise, Fatty’s explosive allegations may prompt further scrutiny into the digital conduct of media platforms and their potential political affiliations.

By Alieu Jallow

The Governor of the North Bank Region, Lamin Saidykhan, has voiced serious concern over the absence of several key government institutions at a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting currently underway in Kerewan, funded by ActionAid The Gambia.

Speaking during the opening session, Governor Saidykhan underscored the importance of the TAC platform, describing it as a vital space for stakeholders to present achievements and address challenges in the region’s development process. He warned that the nonattendance of some institutions undermines the spirit of transparency and accountability the meeting is designed to uphold.

“We want to identify which institutions are not here and haven’t even sent an apology. This is not a joke—this is a serious matter,” he said. “If you didn’t attend, we need to know why. And let me be clear: this won’t stop here. We are escalating this to the national level. If your institution is absent and fails to provide any information, how do you plan to explain that at the national level?”

He further emphasized that institutions have a duty to attend and submit their reports.
“My responsibility is to compile and present everything you provide at the national level. If your report is missing, I won’t speak on your behalf—your ministry or department will have to answer for that,” he asserted.

TAC meetings are quarterly engagements that bring together local government authorities, civil society actors, development partners, and sectoral departments to evaluate progress and challenges in regional implementation efforts. ActionAid The Gambia, a key supporter of grassroots development in the region, is facilitating the current session as part of its broader efforts to promote participatory governance and citizen engagement.

Governor Saidykhan urged public institutions to treat the meetings with the seriousness they merit, stressing that repeated absences disrupt coordination efforts and reflect a lack of commitment to public service delivery.

“Please convey this message to those who are not here: this is not a joke. It is a serious mandate for every institution to participate in today’s dialogue and fulfil their responsibilities,” he stressed.

Also speaking at the session, Saikou Darboe, Local Rights Programme Manager for Upper Nuimi in the North Bank Region, reaffirmed that the TAC meeting aligns with ActionAid’s governance priorities. He emphasized that supporting transparency and accountability is a key motivation behind funding such engagements.

“TAC meetings are not acts of goodwill—they are a mandatory responsibility for all institutions. I urge all stakeholders to approach them with the seriousness they deserve,” Darboe said.

The ongoing TAC session is expected to conclude with a set of actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination and promoting greater accountability among public officials in the region.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou Cham, also known as Mc Cham Junior, the nominated Business and Tailoring Councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has claimed that The Gambian government does not trust the country’s health sector. He argued that President Adama Barrow’s administration prioritizes infrastructure development over essential health services, which he believes undermines public welfare. Cham criticized the government for using road construction as a measure of progress, questioning the transparency and fairness of the contracting process.

“We need to ask how these roads are contracted, who the contractors are, and whether the process is fair and transparent. We should not praise the government for building roads—that’s their responsibility,” he stated. He emphasized the urgent need for improvements in the health sector, noting that public hospitals are often underfunded and lack essential medications. “Even those in the government don’t trust our hospitals. If they or their families fall ill, they seek treatment abroad,” he remarked, asserting that no minister would choose to be treated in public hospitals.

Cham further criticized the government’s achievements, claiming that, aside from road construction—which he attributed largely to projects initiated by former President Jammeh—there is little to celebrate. He pointed to the rising cost of basic commodities, saying, “Since Barrow took office, everything has continued to rise, including cement, rice, sugar, and passport prices. After nearly nine years, Barrow cannot name a single thing whose cost has been reduced.” While acknowledging the importance of road infrastructure, Cham insisted that the government should focus on other critical areas to address the urgent needs of citizens. He noted that many communities still lack access to clean water, proper roads, and basic services.

Cham also criticized Mai Ahmed Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), whom he described as an opportunist seeking personal gain by aligning with the president. “I question the education of Mai and others like him. They cannot create jobs for themselves or others; they only rally behind the president for their own interests,” he said. Cham reiterated that road construction is among the simplest tasks for a government, urging a shift in focus toward improving the health sector and addressing the basic needs of the Gambian people.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Chairman of the Kerewan Area Council (KAC), Papa Tunkara, has responded strongly to recent criticisms from the United Democratic Party (UDP), dismissing claims of reckless spending under his leadership as “bogus and misleading.”

The rebuttal follows a press statement issued by UDP’s Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication, Tombong Saidy, accusing the National People’s Party (NPP)-controlled council of prioritizing luxury expenditures over essential community services in the North Bank Region (NBR). In a detailed response, Chairman Tunkara asserted that the allegations are not only false but also fail to acknowledge the developmental gains achieved by the current council.

“Instead of spreading false allegations about Kerewan Area Council and its leadership, Mr. Saidy, you should have contacted my Office to get your facts right,” Tunkara stated.

He noted that upon assuming office in 2023, his administration inherited a council in financial disarray, left behind by the previous UDP-led administration. Despite the challenges, Tunkara said his team has completed three abandoned market projects in Munyagen, Sara Kunda, and Ngayen Sajal—each of which cost the new council nearly one million dalasis to rebuild or complete.

Chairman Tunkara also listed several borehole rehabilitation efforts and road improvement projects across various NBR communities. “We have rehabilitated boreholes in Farafenni Darra Abdou, Kataba Wollof, Kerr Amadou, and other villages that were long neglected under the previous council,” he said.

In response to concerns over the purchase of two official vehicles, Tunkara clarified that the D7.6 million figure cited by the UDP was inaccurate. He explained that the vehicles were acquired through a pre-financing agreement with Supersonicz Micro-Finance and are to be repaid in installments over four years. “These vehicles are not personal luxuries but assets of the Council to improve operational efficiency,” he emphasized.

He further defended the council’s planned international engagements, specifically a trip to the United States for the World Conference of Mayors. Tunkara said the visit fostered a partnership with the City of Union Springs, Alabama, paving the way for potential bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, agriculture, and waste management.

The Chairman also announced that procurement processes are underway for two new waste collection trucks and for the rehabilitation of the Chairman’s Residence and Council office building—both of which he said are in dilapidated condition. Additionally, he confirmed that tenders for the construction of the Pakau Njogu and Medina Sering Mass markets have already been submitted to the GPPA for approval.

“Our record speaks for itself,” Tunkara said. “The new NPP Council inherited a bankrupt institution and has turned it into one of the most solvent councils in the country.”

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has raised concerns about what it describes as reckless spending by the NPP-controlled Kerewan Area Council (KAC), led by Chairman Papa Tunkara. The party has questioned the prioritization of luxury expenditures over addressing the basic needs of communities in the North Bank Region (NBR).

In a press statement shared by Tombong Saidy, the UDP Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication, the party accused the council of mismanaging public funds, particularly citing the purchase of two high-end vehicles for the Chairman and CEO, totaling D7.6 million. According to the UDP, this expenditure amounts to over 20% of the council’s budget, while communities in NBR are reportedly struggling with issues such as access to clean water, poor feeder roads, and inadequate agricultural support.

“The council has spent millions on luxury vehicles, yet the people of NBR are still without basic services such as waste collection vehicles,” Mr. Saidy said. “We believe the priorities should be shifted towards community development projects that directly benefit the region.”

Mr. Saidy also criticized the council’s foreign trips, specifically a trip to the United States last year for a “Mayoral Conference,” which, according to the UDP, cost taxpayers nearly D1.5 million. Saidy contended that the conference could have been attended virtually, and another trip to the same event, including the Chief’s Representative, is being planned with an estimated cost exceeding D2 million.

“The UDP believes that attending such events in person is an unnecessary expense when virtual participation could suffice,” Saidy said. “We are concerned about how taxpayer money is being allocated for such trips.”

Additionally, the UDP questioned the council’s focus on the construction of the Chairman’s Residence and a new council office building, rather than completing the Pakau Njogu and Madina Serign Mass markets inherited from the previous council.

“These projects raise questions about the council’s priorities. While these luxury constructions are taking place, vital community infrastructure remains underfunded,” Saidy added.

Mr. Saidy emphasized the need for immediate action. “The people of NBR deserve leaders who serve them, not themselves,” Saidy said. He called for a full audit of KAC’s finances and urged the council to redirect funds toward essential services such as water access, roads, waste collection, and agricultural support.

The UDP also called on the Barrow-led NPP government to address what it sees as excesses in local councils, including the Kerewan Area Council. According to the UDP, if the central government is unable to rein in its councils, it raises concerns about their ability to manage national resources.

“We urge the government to take action to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and in ways that benefit the communities that need them the most,” Mr. Saidy added.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Kerewan Area Council or the NPP government regarding the UDP’s allegations. The UDP has called for a full audit of the council’s finances, urging that public money be redirected toward essential services such as water access, waste management, roads, and agricultural support.