Forward Gambia Movement Engages GFD on Disability Inclusion Ahead of 2026 Polls

A delegation from the Forward Gambia Foundation, associated with supporters of former Gambian ambassador Essa Bokar Sey, on Friday held talks with the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) to explore possible areas of collaboration and discuss the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national governance.

The high-level engagement took place on 25 October at the federation’s headquarters in Kanifing and brought together GFD’s executive leadership and representatives from several Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), including the National Union of Disability Organisations (NUDY), Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI), Gambia Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association (GADHOH), and the Gambia Amputees Association.

Presiding over the meeting, GFD President Muhammed Krubally said the Federation welcomed dialogue on disability issues but maintained its position as a non-political institution. He stressed that while the GFD does not endorse political parties or candidates, it remains open to partnerships that advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Acting Executive Director Sainey Camara disclosed that the engagement was formally requested by the Forward Gambia Foundation to present its agenda on disability inclusion. He reminded the delegation that the GFD operates under established protocols, adding that any partnership must respect the federation’s structures and procedures.

Presenting the movement’s position, the Foundation’s Nationwide Coordinator, Halimatou Sowe, said the group is inspired by Ambassador Sey and seeks to build a framework that ensures the participation of persons with disabilities at community, regional and national levels. She noted that Ambassador Sey, who is the parent of a child with a disability, has prioritised disability inclusion as a core part of his national vision.

The delegation underscored the importance of consulting the disability community as part of any national political agenda, stating that true national representation cannot be achieved without the active involvement of persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making processes.

A profile of Ambassador Sey was presented by Ebrima Ceesay, who highlighted the former diplomat’s service as ambassador to France, Russia, Taiwan and the United States. He also confirmed that preparations are underway to register a political party ahead of the 2026 presidential election.

Chairman Krubally cautioned against the use of persons with disabilities for political leverage and warned against what he described as past instances of “token representation” that failed to produce lasting impact. He also emphasised the correct use of inclusive terminology, urging the consistent reference to “Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).”

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain dialogue and explore areas of cooperation that promote empowerment and long-term inclusion. They reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, mutual respect and sustained engagement in the national interest.

Report by Madi S. Njie

IEC Official Sounds Alarm Over Low Female Representation in Gambia’s Politics

  

By Madi S. Njie

A senior official of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged authorities, political parties and civil society to intensify efforts to ensure women and other marginalised groups are fully included in the country’s electoral system.

Mariama Jammeh, who oversees gender and disability matters at the IEC, made the appeal on 19 November 2025 during a UNDP-supported capacity-building forum held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre. Addressing participants at the workshop, she said that unequal access to political space continues to hold back democratic development.

In her presentation, she underlined that social expectations placed on men and women often determine who gets opportunities in public life and who is left behind. According to her, groups such as women, young people, persons with disabilities and economically disadvantaged communities still face significant obstacles when attempting to engage in politics.

Ms Jammeh pointed out a clear contradiction in the country’s voting patterns: although women make up most of the electorate, they remain largely absent from leadership positions. She disclosed that women accounted for more than half of registered voters in the past two national elections—53.5 per cent in 2016 and 57 per cent in 2021—yet none has ever stood as a presidential candidate in those contests. Representation in the National Assembly has also remained unchanged, with only three women elected in both the 2017 and 2022 parliaments. At local level, the situation is similarly bleak, with just one woman elected as mayor or council chairperson in both 2018 and 2023.

She warned that such imbalances weaken democracy and reduce the diversity of voices in decision-making. “Institutions should mirror the society they represent,” she said, noting that inclusion improves policymaking and supports national and international development goals.

To reverse the trend, she proposed a range of measures including the introduction of quotas, reforms within political parties, leadership mentoring for women, and nationwide education campaigns to raise awareness about voting rights and participation. She also stressed the need to confront long-standing cultural attitudes that discourage women from entering politics.

The workshop, organised with support from the United Nations Development Programme and coordinated by UNDP Governance Officer Ms Emi Leung, forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic participation and ensure no group is excluded from the political process in The Gambia.

Editorial: The Extravagant Travels of Former Auditor General Momodou Ceesay

JarraNewsTV Editorial: When the Auditor Becomes the Question — The Extravagant Travels of Former Auditor General Momodou Ceesay

In a country where every dalasi matters, the office entrusted with protecting the nation’s finances must be beyond reproach. That is why the newly surfaced travel chart linked to Momodou Ceesay, the former Auditor General of The Gambia, has sparked deep public concern and a wave of whistleblower-level scrutiny.

The data shows a startling pattern: near-continuous foreign trips, long hotel stays, high per diems, and an eagerness to attend every conference, workshop, or international gathering available. For a civil servant, the lifestyle appears more like that of a diplomat or a jet-setting executive than the head of a national oversight institution.

But the real issue is bigger than travel.

It is about trust.

The Office of the Auditor General holds the highest responsibility in uncovering financial mismanagement across government institutions. It is the watchdog—the one body expected to remain disciplined, frugal, and focused on the public interest.

Yet, the irony here is impossible to ignore:

No one audits the Office of the Auditor General.

The institution responsible for scrutinizing others has no internal or external mechanism that routinely scrutinizes its own spending. So when the Auditor General himself is seen engaging in frequent, costly international trips, the public’s confidence naturally collapses. If the watchdog is left unchecked, who then ensures accountability within the most critical accountability office in the country?

The emergence of this travel pattern also raises broader questions about Ceesay’s recent refusal of a ministerial appointment. A minister’s life is heavily domestic, tightly monitored, and subject to political and public scrutiny. It does not offer the same level of unrestricted international mobility, allowances, and luxury that these records suggest he grew accustomed to.

Was this globe-trotting lifestyle too comfortable to abandon?

While JarraNewsTV does not claim wrongdoing, the red flags are too obvious to ignore. At a time when The Gambia urgently needs strong financial guardianship, this situation reveals a deeper systemic weakness: a watchdog without a watcher.

If the Office of the Auditor General is allowed to operate without oversight, then national accountability itself stands on fragile ground.

JarraNewsTV will continue to follow this story as more details emerge.

MADI Accuses ECOWAS Commission President of Abuse of Office, Warns of Diplomatic Fallout

A Nigerian civil society organisation has levelled serious allegations against the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, in a development that may add new strain to relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Make A Difference Initiative (MADI) accused Dr. Touray of overstepping his authority by withdrawing powers earlier delegated to the Nigerian ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma. The group says the decision was made on the grounds of alleged insubordination but without regard for the disciplinary procedures laid out in the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol.

According to Articles 18 and 19 of the protocol, only the ECOWAS Council of Ministers—not the Commission President—has the power to discipline Commissioners. Professor Darma has since taken the matter before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, where the legality of the President’s action will be contested.

Concerns Over Representation and Balance of Power

MADI further claimed that Dr. Touray attempted to allocate Commissioner-level duties to a Gambian national appointed from his office. Such a move, the group argues, would effectively give The Gambia two Commissioner positions, contradicting the ECOWAS principle of fair geopolitical representation.

The organisation expressed fears that this could fuel perceptions of preferential treatment towards The Gambia and erode the goodwill between Abuja and Banjul. Nigeria currently contributes close to 90 percent of ECOWAS’s financial and logistical resources, making it a major stakeholder in the bloc’s governance.

Beyond the immediate dispute, MADI warned of what it called a “growing concentration of power” at the Commission’s top level. Both the Commission President and the Director of Cabinet—considered one of the most strategically important offices—are Gambian nationals. The group said this pattern, coupled with heightened political tensions across West Africa and the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc, could weaken the institution’s stability and international credibility.

Call for Gambian Government Action

In a direct message to Banjul, the organisation urged the Gambian government to step in and ensure that the matter does not escalate further.

“It may be necessary to rein in or, if required, recall Dr. Touray to protect its reputation, preserve bilateral goodwill and uphold the integrity of ECOWAS,” MADI stated.

The civil society body outlined six key demands, including the withdrawal of the memo issued against Commissioner Darma, restoration of his delegated powers, a halt to what it described as interference in the judicial process, and a broader review of governance practices within the Commission.

“ECOWAS cannot demand constitutional order from member states while violating constitutional order within its own leadership structure,” the group cautioned.

Issue Expected at December ECOWAS Meetings

According to reports by The Authority newspaper, the dispute is expected to feature prominently during the upcoming ECOWAS ministerial meetings scheduled for December in Abuja.

As of the time of publication, Dr. Touray has not issued a response to the allegations.

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GRTS Welcomes AUB Delegation as Plans for 2026 Continental Gathering Intensify

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter, Banjul

A high-level delegation from the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), led by its Director General, Mr. Gregoire Ndjaka, is currently in The Gambia as guests of the Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS).

Mr. Ndjaka is accompanied by Ms. Rokehya Ndiaye, the AUB’s Head of Member Relations. The visiting team is in the country to engage government officials and the GRTS leadership on preparations for the 2026 AUB General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Banjul.

During their mission, the delegation held a series of consultative meetings with the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services. They also met with GRTS Director General, Mr. Abdoulie Sey, and senior management of the national broadcaster to review initial planning requirements for the continental gathering.

As part of their assessment, the team conducted site visits to key hospitality and conference facilities, including the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo. They later held discussions with members of the GRTS Board of Directors, represented by Vice Chair Mr. Kemo Conteh.

The 2026 General Assembly will mark the first time The Gambia hosts an AUB event—an important milestone that underscores GRTS’s efforts to strengthen its visibility within Africa’s broadcasting landscape.

Background on the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB)

Established in the early 1960s under its former name URTNA, the African Union of Broadcasting is the continent’s principal professional body for national radio and television organisations. It was restructured and renamed AUB in 2006 to adapt to modern broadcasting needs and expand cooperation across African media houses.

AUB works to promote collaboration among broadcasters, facilitate content exchange, negotiate affordable satellite transmission rates, and support training and professional development across the sector. It also represents African broadcasters in international forums and plays a key role in advocating for media rights, technological advancement, and fair access to global broadcast opportunities.Today, the organisation brings together public and private broadcasters from across Africa, united by the mission of strengthening the continent’s media landscape and projecting a more authentic African narrative to global audiences.

Disability Act Now Fully Enforced: Public Warned of Fines and Jail Terms

By Madi S. Njie — Jarra News TV Staff Reporter

Government officials and disability advocates have launched regional sensitisation sessions to push for full enforcement of The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021.

Key Points:

Sensitisation began on 13–14 November at the GOVI Resource Centre in Kanifing and in Brikama; other regions follow on 17 November.

Advisory Council Chair and visually impaired magistrate, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, calls for strict compliance.

Principal Social Welfare Officer Modou Suwareh says full enforcement began after the Act’s transition period ended in 2023/24.

Penalties include D50,000 fines or six months’ imprisonment for individuals, and D100,000 for institutions.

Only 3% of persons with disabilities complete basic or secondary education; a national disability survey is scheduled for 2026.

Notable achievements include a D4 million annual disability fund, grants to OPDs, refurbishment of the Advisory Council Secretariat, and free rehabilitation services and assistive devices.

A new rehabilitation facility is set to open in Bwiam by January.

Officials reaffirm that the Act aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urge citizens to report violations.