Dr. Abubacarr Jawara, CEO of Gambia, Africa, China Holding (GACH), has significantly reduced the cost of basalt in The Gambia by importing directly from Ivory Coast, bypassing Senegal. This move has made basalt more accessible for local construction projects, saving time and money. Jawara praised President Barrow's administration for creating an environment conducive to private investment, which has made such ventures possible.
Gambian Under-17 footballer Francis Gomez has arrived in Denmark for a one-month trial at AC Horsens, managed by Sheriff Jarju of Ebanor Sports. Gomez, who recently scored in Sibanor’s 2-1 victory over Siffoe United, is also reportedly attracting interest from teams such as Rukh FC and FK Sarajevo.
A recent agreement between The Gambia and Spain, allowing for legal migration of 50 Gambian labourers to Spain, has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the Gambian government has failed to create sufficient domestic job opportunities, leading to dissatisfaction among citizens. Meanwhile, activist Yahya Sonko has accused the government of a lack of transparency regarding the agreement, leading to confusion and unrealistic expectations among the youth.
The Gambia Police Force has clarified that the recent murder cases reported between January 29th and February 1st, 2025, were acts of domestic violence, not random acts of violence that could be prevented through routine policing strategies. The force is committed to proactively addressing domestic violence through various initiatives, including community policing, sensitization, strengthening laws against domestic violence, and working with social services. Despite a decline in crime rates in 2024, the force acknowledges the recent incidents of alleged armed robberies at the start of 2025 and pledges to intensify efforts in crime prevention, law enforcement, and community engagement.
The Gambia College Students Teachers Association (STA) is launching a football championship at the Brikama campus, named this year after Mayor Talib Bensouda of KMC. The competition, organized by Gambia College sports minister Lamin F Sanneh, aims to promote unity and teamwork among students and teachers in the School of Education. The tournament, which will include both male and female categories, is set to commence this evening.
The Gambian government's decision to feature former President Yahya Jammeh's image on billboards commemorating the country's Diamond Jubilee has sparked controversy. Critics, including human rights activists and legal professionals, argue that this move undermines the country's transitional justice efforts and glorifies a leader known for his brutal regime. The debate reflects broader issues in The Gambia's post-Jammeh era regarding reconciliation and national unity.
The Gambia For All (GFA) party has criticized President Adama Barrow's administration, accusing it of failing the Gambian people and blaming it for the continued influence of exiled former dictator Yahya Jammeh. The GFA expressed regret at the lack of meaningful institutional and constitutional reforms under Barrow's leadership, and urged the president to prioritize the interests of The Gambia for good governance, economic prosperity, and political stability.
The Gambia continues to be a significant producer of oilseeds, with its historical production data indicating 96,152 tons of groundnuts produced in 1915. The country's oil mill, previously owned by GOMB/GPMB before bankruptcy and subsequent takeover in the second Republic, is currently under the Barrow administration. Despite the potential to produce various products including seed and oil, groundnut cake, briquettes, soap, and chicken feed, the innovative capacity is reportedly not being stimulated by government policies and practices.
In an ongoing trial in The Gambia, Paulo Djabi, his wife Nadine Ismael de Gouveira Pereira, and Mamadu Neto Djabi face 21 criminal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering. The prosecution has amended counts 19 and 20 and introduced a new charge, count 21, alleging that Djabi laundered money by purchasing vehicles, motorbikes, and a jet ski. The case, which falls under The Gambia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, 2012, will resume on March 3, 2025.