UNDERSTANDING THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ILLEGAL MIGRATION “BACKWAY”IN THE CASE OF GAMBIA By Baboucarr Nyang The Gambia emerged from the tyranny of 22 years after the country was characterized by maladministration, human rights violations, and low economic growth. There was a great deal of optimism for the improvement of the lives of young people when the new government took office in 2016. It seems this has not been the case and our youth are again dying in search of greener pastures. In recent years, Gambia has been grappling with a pressing issue that affects its youthful population – illegal…
Author: Gainako
By Kebeli Demba Nyima, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Once upon a time in The Gambia, a bill was introduced with such audacity that it could make even the most stoic observer of politics burst into uproarious laughter. The “Former Presidents Bill” is indeed a masterpiece of satire in the world of economics. In a country grappling with a dire economic state, one might expect the government to tighten its belt and look for ways to cut unnecessary expenses. But no, not in The Gambia, where the art of irony seems to be a core value of governance. The bill, stipulates that…
By Dawda Nenegalleh Jallow Although greater attention is put on communicable diseases in scholarly papers, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are posing a significant health burden globally with particular emphasis on low and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs account for 34% of the total annual mortality in The Gambia and as the country grapples with the rising prevalence of NCDs, understanding their impact on both individual health and the national economy is of great importance. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions and now kidney problems are diseases that are not passed from person…
This is a review of The Former Presidents Bill which is to be tabled today 2nd November 2023 at the Gambia’s National Assembly through a certificate of urgency from the President. The Bill seeks “to establish an office of former President, and to provide for pensions, gratuities and other benefits”. According to the review of the Bill by Civil Society Organisation Leader Madi Jobarteh recommends that “The Government should not provide residence for a former president because he is now a private citizen” and also not benefit from a yearly vacation amongst others. The review also proposes that “A president…
By Arret Jatta During the Ninth National Youth Parliament Session at the National Assembly, the majority of the members of the National Youth Parliament supported the continued implementation of the Female Genital Mutilation/C (FGM) Ban. FGM/C is a practice where mostly young girls have their clitoris or other vaginal parts cut and in some cases sealed. Currently, FGM/C is a banned practice with sections 32A and 32B of the Women’s Act prescribing a punishment of three (3) years imprisonment or a fine of fifty thousand Dalasis (D50,000) or both, for engaging in the practice of FGM or being an accomplice…
By Arret Jatta The National Youth Parliamentarians called for the government to be more inclusive in their decision and policy-making processes at their first ordinary session of the 9th Youth Parliament in the 2023 legislative year at the National Assembly in Banjul. The Speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP), Hon Omar Cham, called on the government, esteemed partners and all relevant stakeholders to join them in prioritizing Gambian Youths. “The destiny of our nation hinges on how well we empower our youth. We must understand that we are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of…
The Gambia’s National Assembly has issued a press release confirming an extraordinary session will be held in the 2023 Legislative Year starting tomorrow 1st to 2nd November 2023. A Gambia Parliamentary Newsletter publication over the weekend highlighted that at least five Bills were to be tabled by the Ministry for Justice, however, the press release from Parliament confirms that only four Bills will be tabled. Below is the entire statement from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION IN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE YEAR 1st – 2nd NOVEMBER, 2023 The Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wishes to inform…
By Dawda Nenegalleh Jallow In The Gambia, it is a common practice for both men and women to turn to private drug stores as the first point of contact when they or their children fall sick. This reliance on private drug stores as the primary source of healthcare is deeply ingrained in Gambian society and has its roots in factors such as convenience and accessibility. These stores are found in almost every street in the Greater Banjul Area and one or more in communities across provincial Gambia and are often seen as the first point of contact. However, this widespread…
GAMBIA ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE OPPOSES DE-GAZETTING OF NATIONAL PARKS, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION The Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA) expresses deep concern over the Government’s decision to de-gazette parts of Nyanaberi Forest Park in Jarra and Bijilo National Park for office buildings, hotels, and a village. These forests are vital to The Gambia’s biodiversity, under stress from encroachments and climate change. Bijilo Forest Park (1952) and Nyanaberi Forest Reserve (1954) are home to diverse flora and fauna, including red colobus monkeys, hyenas, and unique bird species. These reserves enrich biodiversity, benefit communities, and boost the national economy through tourism. Degazetting risks…
This is the statement delivered by a representative of the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Welfare on Wednesday 25th October 2023 during the National Human Rights Commission’s two-day National Forum on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Below is a speech from the government highlighting their efforts in implementing the Disabilities Act 2021. IMPLEMENTATION DISABILITY ACT 2021 Distinguished personalities and stakeholders, it is apparent that disability is a cross-cutting issue that requires to be addressed in all spheres of life be it at home, community, national, regional and international level. Unfortunately, the reality at all these levels leaves much…