GRA CHAMPIONS AFRICAN TAX SOVEREIGNTY AT WAUTI CONFERENCE IN SENEGAL

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Yankuba Darboe, has led a high-level Gambian delegation to the 12th Annual Conference of the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) held in Mbour, Senegal, where regional leaders gathered to chart a stronger and more independent fiscal future for West Africa.

The Gambian delegation included Mr. Essa Jallow, Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes; Mr. Yahya Manneh, Director of the Technical Services Department; Mr. Ebrima Sallah, Deputy Director of Legal; Mrs. Mariama Jobe, Senior Tax Officer and Country Representative of the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) Gambia Chapter; and Mr. Malayn Sanneh, Communication Sub-Officer II, alongside other supporting officials.

Speaking on behalf of the Gambia Revenue Authority and the Government of the Republic of The Gambia, Commissioner General Darboe delivered a powerful goodwill message highlighting the growing urgency for African nations to strengthen their tax systems and reclaim economic independence.

He commended WAUTI for sustaining an important regional platform that continues to bring together tax administrators, policymakers, academics, and financial experts to shape the fiscal destiny of West Africa.

“For twelve consecutive conferences, WAUTI has remained a beacon of professional collaboration and intellectual exchange,” Darboe noted. “Its consistency demonstrates vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening taxation across the region.”

This year’s conference was held under the theme “Taxation and Economic Sovereignty in West Africa: Harmonizing Fiscal Autonomy for Inclusive Growth.” According to Darboe, the theme resonates strongly with the realities facing African economies today.

He stressed that true economic sovereignty can only be achieved when nations finance their development through reliable domestic resources, rather than excessive dependence on external aid.

“Taxation is the most legitimate and sustainable tool available to governments,” he said. “It strengthens accountability between the state and its citizens and reinforces the social contract that underpins national development.”

The Commissioner General warned that many African countries are now confronting growing development challenges amid declining donor support, often described as “donor fatigue,” as the global economic environment becomes increasingly uncertain.

He further pointed to the alarming debt burden facing many African economies, noting that in some countries up to 60 percent of government revenue is consumed by debt servicing, leaving limited resources for vital sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and social development.

Darboe therefore called on African governments to embrace home-grown solutions and strengthen domestic institutions, emphasizing that sustainable development cannot be outsourced.

“Our development must be driven by resilient economies, strong institutions, and efficient tax systems,” he stressed. “Africa must look inward and build the financial foundations necessary for its own progress.”

He also underscored the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional development among tax administrations in order to improve compliance, enhance transparency, and strengthen domestic resource mobilization across West Africa.

Beyond institutional reforms, Darboe urged a shift in public perception regarding taxation. Rather than viewing taxes merely as a burden, he said they should be seen as a collective investment in nation-building.

“When taxes are properly managed,” he explained, “they translate into roads that connect communities, hospitals that save lives, schools that educate future generations, and infrastructure that powers economic growth.”

The WAUTI conference brought together delegates from The Gambia, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Liberia, reinforcing the growing determination among West African nations to build stronger and more self-reliant fiscal systems.

For The Gambia, participation in the conference underscores the GRA’s continued commitment to modernizing tax administration, strengthening regional cooperation, and advancing Africa’s economic sovereignty through effective domestic revenue mobilization.

Who Gave Baba Galleh Jallow the Moral Authority to Lecture the Nation?

By Yaya Dampha

NPP Diaspora Coordinator, Sweden

The recent article by Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow, written under the banner of the so-called Never Again Network, opposing President Adama Barrow’s potential third-term bid, is not only intellectually shallow but legally unsustainable and morally hypocritical.

Before Dr. Jallow attempts to posture as the national conscience on matters of democracy and constitutionalism, he owes the Gambian people a clear explanation for the deeply troubling legacy he left behind at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC)—an institution he served as Executive Secretary.

The fundamental question therefore arises: who is Baba Galleh Jallow to lecture the Gambian people about democracy when the very institution he administered left many genuine victims unrecognized while elevating questionable testimonies to official status?

The Constitution, Not Baba Galleh Jallow, Determines Presidential Terms

Let us begin with the law.

The 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, which remains the supreme law of the land under Section 4, clearly provides that the presidency is determined through democratic elections every five years.

There is no constitutional provision limiting a president to two terms in the current constitution.

Therefore, President Adama Barrow seeking another term—whether a third or otherwise—is not unconstitutional. It is simply a democratic right that must be decided by the Gambian electorate at the ballot box.

Dr. Jallow’s argument is therefore a political opinion disguised as constitutional authority.

In any genuine democracy, the decision does not belong to activists, networks, commentators, or former TRRC officials—it belongs to the sovereign will of the Gambian people.

Coalition Agreements Are Not Constitutional Law

Dr. Jallow’s argument about the 2016 coalition agreement is equally flawed.

While the coalition may have politically proposed a three-year transition, the reality remains that political agreements do not override constitutional law.

Once President Barrow was elected under the 1997 Constitution, his mandate became a five-year constitutional term, just like every other president elected under that same constitution.

No coalition document signed among political actors can supersede the legal authority of the constitution. To argue otherwise is to promote constitutional confusion dressed up as moral outrage.

The Hypocrisy of “Never Again”

The phrase Never Again should carry profound moral weight in The Gambia. It symbolizes a collective commitment to justice for victims of past abuses.

Yet under the leadership of Baba Galleh Jallow’s Secretariat, the TRRC produced outcomes that many victims consider deeply discriminatory and profoundly unjust.

One must therefore ask: how did the Commission determine who qualifies as a victim?

Why were individuals with clear historical records of arrest, torture, persecution and forced exile excluded from recognition?

Why was Musa Saidykhan—an internationally recognized torture survivor—excluded from the official list of victims?

Why were victims like myself, Yaya Dampha, and the family of the late Almamo Manneh, who was extrajudicially executed, not recognized by the Commission?

If we were not victims, why were we invited to testify before the TRRC?

Our testimonies are on record. The historical facts are documented.

Almamo Manneh was extrajudicially executed, just as Harouna Jammeh was.

Musa Saidykhan was tortured and permanently maimed, just as Bunja Darboe was.

Yet the TRRC under Baba Galleh Jallow’s Secretariat segregated victims—recognizing some while ignoring others.

Meanwhile, individuals whose testimonies raised serious credibility questions somehow found themselves included in the official reparations framework.

This raises troubling questions about transparency, methodology and integrity in the Commission’s victim determination process.

Accountability Must Begin with the TRRC Leadership

Before Baba Galleh Jallow lectures the nation about safeguarding democracy, he should first explain to the Gambian people:

What criteria did the TRRC use to determine who qualifies as a victim?

Who made the final determinations within the Secretariat?

Why were legitimate victims excluded from recognition?

Why were questionable testimonies accepted without sufficient scrutiny?

These are legitimate questions that deserve clear and honest answers.

Victims of the Jammeh era deserve justice—not selective recognition or administrative indifference.

The Convenient Return of Political Activism

It is also remarkable that some of the loudest voices today were silent when they held real institutional authority.

During their tenure at the TRRC, they possessed enormous power to ensure fairness, transparency and justice.

Instead, many used that platform to enhance international reputations, secure prestigious global engagements, and build impressive professional résumés before quietly moving on to greener pastures.

Now that some of those contracts and international engagements appear to be winding down, they suddenly reappear as political activists offering lectures on democracy.

The Gambian people are neither naïve nor forgetful.

They recognize opportunism when they see it.

Democracy Belongs to the Gambian People

Whether President Adama Barrow chooses to contest another election is not the decision of Baba Galleh Jallow.

It is not the decision of the Never Again Network.

And it is certainly not the decision of commentators seeking renewed political relevance.

It is a decision that belongs solely to the Gambian people through democratic elections.

That is the essence of democracy.

If Gambians believe President Barrow deserves another mandate, they will vote for him.

If they believe otherwise, they will vote him out.

That choice belongs to the electorate—not to self-appointed guardians of political morality.

The Real Betrayal

The real betrayal of the victims of the Jammeh era is not a presidential election.

The real betrayal would be a transitional justice process that failed to recognize all victims fairly and equally.

Until Baba Galleh Jallow confronts that moral failure and explains the inconsistencies of the TRRC’s victim recognition process, he lacks the credibility to lecture the nation on democracy and constitutionalism.

Those who presided over such a flawed process should approach the national conversation with humility rather than arrogance.

The Gambian people deserve honesty, fairness and accountability—not selective outrage and revisionist activism.

Democracy belongs to the people, not to self-appointed custodians of political virtue.

REJOINDER: HISTORY IS NOT YOURS TO EDIT, MADI JOBARTEH

Why the truth of the 2002–2004 media struggle must not be rewritten

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

In public discourse, disagreement is expected. What is not acceptable, however, is the deliberate distortion of verifiable facts in an attempt to recast history. Madi Jobarteh’s recent article in The Alkamba Times, purporting to revisit the 2002–2004 National Media Commission (NMC) struggle, falls squarely into that troubling category.

His account is not merely flawed—it is revisionist.

At the heart of this matter lies a simple, indisputable truth: the legal challenge against the NMC Act is a matter of public record. In Gambia Press Union & Others v. National Media Commission & Another (Civil Suit No. 5/2005), the Supreme Court of The Gambia clearly identified the plaintiffs who stood against the law. These included the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Deyda Hydara, Alagi Yorro Jallow, Demba Ali Jawo, and Swaebou Conateh.

This is not opinion. It is fact—documented, archived, and accessible.

Yet, in his attempt to reconstruct this pivotal moment in Gambian media history, Madi Jobarteh conspicuously omits my name while introducing individuals who were not party to the case. Such a departure from the record cannot be dismissed as oversight. It raises serious questions about intent and credibility.

Let us be clear: the constitutional challenge to the NMC Act was not a symbolic exercise. It was a defining confrontation with state power at a time when dissent carried real risks. The individuals named in the court filings were not commentators or retrospective analysts; they were active participants in a legal battle that helped shape press freedom in The Gambia.

To substitute or omit names from that record is to alter history itself.

It must also be stated that those referenced by Jobarteh—respected as they may be in their own right—were not plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case. They neither signed the legal petition nor stood before the court in that action. To suggest otherwise is to mislead the public and undermine the integrity of the historical record.

This discussion is not about personal differences. It is about preserving truth in a space where accuracy matters. The history of the NMC struggle is too important to be reduced to selective storytelling or retrospective positioning.

Indeed, Jobarteh is correct in one respect: contemporary legislative proposals echo troubling aspects of past regulatory overreach, now extending into the digital sphere. That is a conversation worth having. But any meaningful critique of present challenges must be grounded in factual integrity. One cannot defend democracy by distorting history.

If we are to invoke the legacy of figures such as Deyda Hydara, we must do so with honesty. The principles he stood for—truth, accountability, and courage—demand nothing less.

The struggle against the NMC Act was not fought in comfort or hindsight. It was waged in a climate of fear and uncertainty, where taking a stand came with consequences. Those who participated did so at personal and professional risk. That reality must not be diluted.

History does not belong to any one individual to edit or reinterpret at will. It is a collective record, anchored in evidence. Court documents do not shift with narratives, and facts do not yield to preference.

In the final analysis, attempts to rewrite this chapter of Gambian history say more about the reviser than the events themselves. The record remains intact. The names are documented. And the truth endures.

No amount of revisionism can alter that.

STATE-LED SKILLS DRIVE IGNITES NEW HOPE FOR PWDs NATIONWIDE

By Madi S. Njie

In a bold demonstration of its unwavering commitment to inclusive development, the Government of The Gambia, through the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, has successfully delivered a transformative nationwide training programme aimed at economically empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Held from 16th to 18th March 2026, the intensive three-day initiative is being hailed as a landmark intervention designed to unlock the potential of PWDs by equipping them with practical skills in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and vocational development—key pillars of the country’s broader development agenda.

The programme commenced at the GOVI Resource Centre in Kanifing, where participants from Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) under the Gambia Federation of the Disabled converged in large numbers, reflecting growing confidence in government-led empowerment initiatives. The momentum continued across the regions, culminating in a major provincial convergence at the Mansakonko Area Council, drawing participants from Lower River, North Bank, Central River, and Upper River Regions.

This strategic rollout underscores the government’s firm resolve to ensure that no Gambian is left behind. It directly advances the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, while reinforcing The Gambia’s standing commitment to global standards under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Officials described the initiative as a game-changer in shifting PWDs from dependency to productivity. Speaking at the opening, Principal Social Welfare Officer Mr. Modou Suwareh emphasized that true independence can only be achieved when individuals are empowered with relevant, market-driven skills.

“Skills development is the cornerstone of dignity and self-reliance,” he declared, urging participants to seize the opportunity as a stepping stone to economic freedom.

Chairman of NACPWD, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, reinforced the government’s inclusive vision, stressing that equality and non-discrimination are no longer aspirations but actionable realities under the current leadership. He noted that empowering PWDs is central to building a resilient and equitable society.

“We are determined to see persons with disabilities rise as creators of wealth and drivers of national progress,” he affirmed.

Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Alaye Barra, acknowledged longstanding structural challenges but pointed to innovation and technology as powerful tools now being leveraged to bridge those gaps. He highlighted that digital skills, combined with entrepreneurship, are opening new frontiers for PWDs to compete and thrive in today’s economy.

Adding further weight to the initiative, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Delo Bah described the training as a “defining milestone” in the government’s social inclusion agenda. He reiterated that empowering PWDs is not just a social responsibility but a strategic investment in national development.

“By providing practical tools and knowledge, we are enabling active participation in the economy and strengthening the country’s human capital base,” he stated.

The training sessions—facilitated by seasoned experts including Ms. Jobe, Alex Pratt, and Mr. Abdoulie Demba Bah—covered critical areas such as business management, digital marketing, and enterprise development. Participants also received assurances of continued mentorship, including free advisory support for business registration—further solidifying the programme’s long-term impact.

Across all regions, participants expressed renewed optimism, describing the initiative as life-changing. Many indicated readiness to launch or expand their businesses, signaling a shift toward self-reliance and economic independence.

Stakeholders have since called for sustained investment in disability inclusion, particularly in enhancing access to digital platforms, assistive technologies, and startup financing. They also emphasized the importance of forming cooperative structures to strengthen collaboration and ensure long-term growth.

This landmark initiative stands as clear evidence of a government not only listening but delivering—creating real opportunities, restoring dignity, and empowering every citizen to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Indeed, The Gambia is steadily advancing toward a future where inclusion is not a privilege, but a guaranteed right for all.

Another Major Endorsement: Jarra News Echoes My Call for Media Reform.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow 

 I am humbled to see Jarra News join the growing national conversation sparked by my recent commentary on the state of journalism in The Gambia. Their detailed analysis affirms what many of us have been warning for years: the crisis in Gambian journalism is internal before it is external.

Jarra News highlights critical issues that can no longer be ignored: the collapse of standards, the rise of untrained voices, the politicization of newsrooms, the erosion of ethics, and the dangerous normalization of defamation and misinformation. Their conclusion is clear and uncompromising: reform is no longer optional; it is necessary for the survival of the profession.

This endorsement follows the earlier editorial support from the Daily Observer, signaling a broader awakening within the media landscape. The message from both institutions is unmistakable:

Accreditation, professionalism, and ethical discipline are essential if journalism is to reclaim its dignity and public trust.

 welcome this growing alignment and hope it inspires deeper reflection, honest dialogue, and meaningful reform across the sector. The future of our democracy depends on a credible, responsible, and principled Fourth Estate. The unified essay, The Rain That Beat Us: A Manifesto for Redeeming Gambia’s Fourth Estate, is now available for publication and public engagement.

DEFENDING THE CRAFT: WHY PROFESSIONALIZATION OF GAMBIAN JOURNALISM CANNOT WAIT

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The commentary by Alagi Yorro Jallow is not just timely—it is a necessary intervention in a profession that is rapidly losing its soul. What we are witnessing in The Gambia today is not merely a debate over accreditation; it is a full-blown collapse of standards, discipline, and identity within journalism.

1. The Collapse of Standards Is Real, Not Imagined

There is no denying it: journalism in The Gambia has shifted from a disciplined profession to an open marketplace where anyone with a smartphone claims authority. The absence of editorial control, fact-checking, and ethical restraint has turned many platforms into channels of confusion rather than sources of truth. This is not press freedom—it is professional decay.

2. Journalism Has Been Hijacked by Activism and Partisanship

The line between journalism and political activism has not just blurred—it has disappeared. Many who present themselves as journalists are openly aligned with political interests, acting as spokespersons rather than watchdogs. When journalists become political griots, public trust inevitably collapses.

3. Former Guardians of the Profession Have Abandoned It

It is deeply troubling that individuals who once led the Gambia Press Union now contribute to the very decline they should resist. Instead of defending standards, some have embraced propaganda, partisanship, and sensationalism. This moral inconsistency weakens their credibility in opposing reforms like accreditation.

4. Untrained Individuals Are Dominating the Media Space

A dangerous trend has emerged where comedians, entertainers, and social media influencers now occupy spaces meant for trained journalists. Without knowledge of media law, ethics, or verification, they produce content that misleads, defames, and inflames. Journalism is a discipline—not a hobby or a side hustle.

5. Social Media Has Become a Lawless Newsroom

Facebook “journalists” now publish anything—from private conversations to abusive audio recordings—without consent, context, or verification. The rights to privacy and dignity are routinely violated in the name of “breaking news.” This is not journalism; it is digital vigilantism.

6. Defamation and Character Assassination Are Becoming Normalized

The reckless publication of insults, especially targeting families and parents, reflects a dangerous erosion of ethics. Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to defame, insult, or destroy reputations without accountability. A profession that tolerates this loses its moral authority.

7. Absence of Regulation Has Turned Journalism into a “Dustbin Profession”

Without standards or entry requirements, journalism has become a dumping ground for individuals rejected by other professions. This lack of structure invites mediocrity and drives away serious practitioners who once upheld the dignity of the field.

8. Accreditation Is a Necessary Filter, Not a Political Weapon

As rightly argued by Alagi Yorro Jallow, accreditation is a global norm. It does not silence journalists; it distinguishes professionals from opportunists. It ensures that those who inform the public are trained, accountable, and ethically grounded.

9. Public Trust in the Media Is Rapidly Eroding

When misinformation, bias, and unverified claims dominate headlines, the public loses confidence in all media—both credible and non-credible. This erosion of trust is dangerous for democracy, as citizens can no longer distinguish fact from propaganda. 

10. Government Regulation Is Now Inevitable and Necessary

Given the current chaos, government intervention—if properly structured—is no longer optional. Regulation must not be confused with repression. Instead, it should

Establish minimum standards for practice

Enforce ethical codes

Protect citizens from defamation and privacy violations

Restore credibility to the profession.

Without such frameworks, the media space will continue to deteriorate into an uncontrollable информационный battlefield.

11. Freedom Without Responsibility Is Anarchy

Press freedom was fought for with sacrifice, including the ultimate price paid by Deyda Hydara. To misuse that freedom today through recklessness and indiscipline is a betrayal of that legacy. Freedom must be matched with responsibility, or it becomes self-destructive.

12. The Silence on Past Reform Failures Is Hypocrisy

It is valid to question why past reform efforts—such as those linked to Ndey Tapha Sosseh—were never implemented or defended. Those who ignored reform yesterday cannot convincingly oppose professionalization today.

13. Editors and Newsrooms Have Failed Their Gatekeeping Role

The disappearance of strong editorial oversight has allowed misinformation to flourish. A newsroom without standards is not a newsroom—it is a rumor distribution center. Editors must reclaim their role as custodians of truth.

14. Professional Journalism Requires Training and Discipline

Journalism is not defined by access to a microphone or camera. It requires mastery of language, understanding of context, commitment to verification, and respect for ethics. Without these, what exists is not journalism but noise.

Conclusion: Reform or Ruin.

The position advanced by Alagi Yorro Jallow is clear and justified: the crisis in Gambian journalism is internal before it is external. The profession is collapsing under the weight of indiscipline, politicization, and neglect.

The choice before The Gambia is stark: either restore standards through professionalization and accreditation, or allow journalism to disintegrate into irrelevance and public distrust.

This is not about silencing voices. It is about saving a profession that has lost its direction. The time for denial has passed. The time for reform is now.