PRESS STATEMENT COMMEMORATING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 6 FEBRUARY 2023. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The 6th of February has been earmarked by the United Nations to amplify the call to eliminate FGM as part of efforts to deliver the global promise of Agenda 2030. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM”. According to the United Nations, a girl is one-third less…
Author: Gainako
By the National Human Rights Commission THE ALLEGED SHOOTING OF A POLICE OFFICER AT FASS NJAGA CHOI BY ARMED ROBBERS The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has learned with shock the recent bandit attack on the Police Intervention Unit Check Point at Fass Njaga Choi in which a Police officer was shot and injured. The Commission strongly condemns this cowardly act orchestrated by unknown individuals whose motives caused fear and endangered local security. The Police are entrusted with the responsibility to protect lives and properties and any attack on them does not only constitute an unlawful act but also a…
By Arret Jatta Ebrima Touray popularly known by his stage name Kombonka is a Gambian artist (rapper) who’s risen to prominence in The Gambian Music scene after his failed “backway” attempt to reach Europe via the illegal and deadly Sahara Dessert. After recording his first song in 2011, he performed at various platforms and events both locally and internationally. However, his life took a turn for the worse in 2016, during the backway “Pandemic” when hordes of hopeless Gambian youth braved the dreadful journey to Libya. Many who risked their lives to get to Europe drowned, that’s if they successfully…
GPU Presents Position Paper on the Criminal Offences Bill, 2022 By the Gambia Press Union The Gambia Press Union (GPU) on Tuesday (Feb. 14) presented a position paper on the Criminal Offences Bill, 2022 to the National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters as part of the Committee’s public consultations on the Bill. The Committee is tasked with reviewing and making consultations on the Bill and would later report to the National Assembly plenary on its findings and recommendations. The GPU’s submissions relate to provisions of the Bill that are seen to restrict press freedom and freedom of…
This is the opening remarks of the President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) Muhammed S. Bah at a two-day training workshop for Journalists on the use of the Access to Information (ATI) Law. The training session which took place at Metzy Hotel in Kotu The Gambia also looked into enhancing transparency in Governance. By Muhammed S. Bah Good morning, Chair Secretary General GPU Chair CSO coalition on Access to Information I welcome you all to this important gathering, a two-day training Workshop for Journalists on the use of ATI law for news reporting and ensuring transparency in governance. The…
By Fatou Sanyang The Community of Mamuda were engaged in Family Planning Methods by the Njaboute Foundation at the Mamuda Children’s Health Centre in West Coast District over the weekend of 28th January 2023. Njaboute Foundation is a newly established foundation with volunteers in The Gambia and Sweden. Njaboute focuses on health promotion and education with an emphasis on Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC). The foundation aims to enhance the public’s appreciation of comprehensive sexuality education, including the vices of female genital mutilation/cutting, the right to contraceptives and all other forms of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In The Gambian…
World Bank issued a statement in January 2023 highlighting some of the Economic challenges facing Sub-Saharan Africa such as the Russia-Ukraine war as the world tries to recover from the Economic shocks created by the Covid-19 Pandemic which affected supply chains across the globe. According to statistics provided by World Bank, the Gambia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated to increase by 3.5% in 2022 and is forecasted to increase by 4% in 2023 and a further 5.5% in 2024. According to the 2023 Approved Budget, the Gambia’s GDP stood at D115 Billion for 2022 and is projected to increase…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has visited The Gambia at the request of Gambian Authorities to assess the country’s governance framework, reforms conducted and corruption vulnerability. Below is the statement issued by the IMF at the end of its mission. By IMF Mission Team IMF Mission Team Concludes Governance Diagnostic for The Gambia At the request of The Gambian authorities, an IMF mission conducted a diagnostic to assess the strength of the governance framework in The Gambia, identify vulnerabilities, including corruption, and offer reform options, guided by the IMF’s framework for Enhanced Engagement in Addressing Governance Vulnerabilities. The authorities made…
2023 global growth to slow to 1.7% from 3% expected six months ago WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2023 — Global growth is slowing sharply in the face of elevated inflation, higher interest rates, reduced investment, and disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. Given fragile economic conditions, any new adverse development—such as higher-than-expected inflation, abrupt rises in interest rates to contain it, a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, or escalating geopolitical tensions—could push the global economy into recession. This would mark the first time in more than 80 years that two global…
The Gambia has been ranked 9th out of 14 West African Countries on the West Africa Digital Competitiveness Index, beating Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone. On the other hand, our closest neighbour Senegal is ranked 5th while Ghana tops the list coming 1st and followed by Cabo Verde in second place. More about the West Africa Digital Competitiveness Index from the press release below. Thursday 19th January 2023, Digital Foundation Africa, a pan-African think tank focused on unlocking and shaping the continent’s digital future through research, policy and skill development and advocacy in advancing digitalization and digital technologies announces its…