The Medical Research Council Unit Gambia addresses staff concerns during a sit-down strike by acknowledging issues and committing to dialogue, while requesting employees to log work activities for policy implementation. Leadership expresses gratitude to dedicated staff and aims for swift resolution.

Staff at the Medical Research Council Unit Gambia are on strike for better conditions, pay, and job security. The management responds, acknowledging concerns, urging dialogue, and requesting logged work activities to address issues swiftly.

The writer criticizes the management of Gambia Public Transport Services for negligence in allowing hazardous substances in a degraded state at the depot, questioning their responsibility and accountability in the recent fire incident.

Babucarr Fofana, former regional coordinator for the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in Kuntaur, The Gambia, faced questioning over his handling of a 100,000-dalasi fund intended for COVID-19 relief. Fofana argued the funds were used for general disaster relief, citing major disasters in the region coinciding with the pandemic. The Local Government Commission of Inquiry is investigating the matter, with Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez asserting the funds were improperly accepted by the NDMA and demanding evidence of expenditures.

Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh has highlighted the issues affecting the supply of drugs in The Gambia's health facilities, citing GPPA procurement methods and unreliable suppliers as the main problems. He revealed that all drugs and medical consumables used in the country are imported, but many suppliers, mainly Gambians, have failed to deliver as per their contracts. Despite an increase in the health budget, only 30% of the national requirement for medicines can be covered, he added.

The Tanji Village Development Committee (VDC) in The Gambia has been officially dissolved by the Brikama Area Council due to several violations, including failure to hold an Annual General Meeting throughout its five-year tenure and allegations of fiscal mismanagement. The Council is now expected to oversee the establishment of a new VDC, in line with governance regulations.

The Gambia's Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) has concluded an eight-day Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) training to enhance the country's debt management capabilities. The training, conducted in partnership with the West Africa Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) and funded by the Africa Legal Support Facility (ALSF), involved officials from various Gambian financial institutions. The initiative aims to address institutional capacity challenges and foster inter-agency coordination for effective and sustainable debt management.

The Gambia's Minister of Public Service, Baboucarr Bouy, announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy and support from Bangladesh to digitize a government portal for improved public service delivery. The digitization process aims to simplify access to national identification cards, passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and business registration. The Minister also revealed plans for an internal audit on all ministries, except Basic and Secondary Education, Health, and Agriculture, to control the country's wage bill.

The Director of the National Environment Agency (NEA) in The Gambia, Dr. Dawda Badjie, has warned against littering and emphasized the agency's commitment to enforcing anti-littering laws. During a ceremony at the NEA headquarters, the agency donated cleaning materials to various institutions to support environmental cleanliness efforts. Dr. Badjie expressed concern over the misuse of these materials and the increasing waste littered across the country.

The Ministry of Public Service in The Gambia, led by Baboucarr Bouy, has identified approximately 2,700 'unseen workers' across ten ministries, saving about D13.5 million per month. Following an internal audit conducted in April 2024, over 3,000 workers' salaries were blocked, with 882 reinstated after verification of their statuses. The ministry is currently entering data for the fourteenth ministries as part of their ongoing internal audit.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports in The Gambia concluded its annual senior management team meeting, where key stakeholders reviewed progress, addressed challenges, and planned future strategies. Representatives from various institutions, including the President's International Awards and the National Sports Council, presented their achievements and challenges, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and effective communication. The meeting also included updates from all six satellite institutions and projects under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

A dispute between the managing director and the board chairman of the Gambia Printing & Publishing Corporation, which had resulted in operational paralysis, has been resolved. The conflict had led to staff salaries for January not being processed and a lack of funds for essential office operations. The managing director, Momodou Ceesay, was sent on administrative leave due to allegations of economic malfeasance and mismanagement, and after initially defying orders to hand over his duties, he complied and handed over to the deputy managing director.

The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) has tasked the Vice President's Office with ensuring that missing payment vouchers worth D450,890 from the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) are provided for audit inspection by September 28, 2023. Additionally, FPAC has directed the Judiciary to prepare and submit its accounts for the period 2016-2022 for audit by December 31, 2023.

The managing director of GPPC, Momodou Ceesay, denies allegations of financial mismanagement and claims that the institution has been regularly audited, with the 2021 and 2022 audits already completed and the 2023 audit underway. He also refuted claims that the D50 million bioclimatic exercise book printing machine was overpriced and not functioning, stating that it underwent proper procurement procedures and is currently in use.

The Gambia Ferry Service Company conducted a three-day training program for its staff on emergency response and disaster management, covering risk assessment, first aid, and evacuation protocols. The training aims to enhance the safety of passengers and staff by ensuring adequate preparation for emergency situations.

The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) has implemented a new Management Information System (MIS) to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The system allows institutions and customers to access services and lodge complaints digitally, facilitating better collaboration and service delivery.