UK–Gambia Trade and Investment Mission Scores Major Early Success in Banjul

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The UK–Gambia Trade and Investment Mission has recorded an emphatic success on its very first day of engagement, setting a powerful tone for strengthened economic cooperation between the two nations. The high-level mission is taking place at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul, drawing together senior government officials, influential business leaders, and strategic investors from the United Kingdom and The Gambia.

The landmark event enjoys strong diplomatic and institutional backing, with Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, in prominent attendance alongside Her Excellency Harriet King, the UK High Commissioner to The Gambia. Their presence underscores the shared political will and mutual commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.

Adding further weight to the mission were key dignitaries including the Minister of Trade and Investment, Permanent Secretary Abdoulie Jallow, who delivered a firm and forward-looking statement reaffirming government support for foreign direct investment. Mr. Saul Fraser, President of the Africa Agenda Network, also made a compelling contribution, highlighting the strategic importance of The Gambia as an emerging investment destination.

Also present was the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Suntou Touray, reinforcing the strong diplomatic endorsement behind the initiative. The mission is further supported by the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), with its CEO and technical leads in attendance, alongside representatives from DMA Invest and the British High Commission.

The event has attracted a broad and impressive range of UK businesses eager to explore concrete investment opportunities in The Gambia. Among them is Koncept Solution, a UK-based high-tech security technology firm, represented locally by its Gambian partner, Mr. Muhammed Deen, alongside Karl. Several other UK companies are actively engaging Gambian stakeholders across key growth sectors, signaling serious investor confidence.

Gambian private sector participation has been notably strong, reflecting growing local enthusiasm for international partnerships and global market integration. Discussions throughout the day have focused on innovation, job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth.

Spearheaded by DMA Invest, the mission’s overarching objective is to significantly deepen trade and investment relations between the United Kingdom and The Gambia. The resounding success of the opening day reaffirms both countries’ shared vision for long-term economic collaboration and positions The Gambia as a rising hub for strategic international investment.

Police Arrest Suspect in Possession of Over 40 Suspected Stolen Sheep

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter
January 31, 2026

The Police Intervention Unit has arrested a suspect found in possession of more than forty sheep suspected to have been stolen, in a continued nationwide effort to combat livestock theft and protect farmers’ livelihoods.

The suspect, identified as Assan Babou, a resident of Dibba Kunda, was arrested on Wednesday, January 29, 2026. Police officers discovered forty-four (44) sheep in his possession under circumstances that raised strong suspicion of theft. Although the suspect claimed ownership of the animals, he was unable to provide any documentation or proof to substantiate his claim.

Babou, along with two other individuals, is currently being held in custody at Kairaba Police Station as investigations continue.

Police say the arrest is part of sustained operations aimed at curbing livestock theft and safeguarding property across communities.

Members of the public who may have lost sheep or who can assist in identifying the animals are urged to report to Kairaba Police Station for verification.

The Gambia Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to crime prevention and the protection of lives and property. Further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

A CLEAR SIGNAL FROM THE PEOPLE: WHY 2026 BELONGS TO NPP AND PRESIDENT ADAMA BARROW

The recent Ceprass poll projecting a victory for the National People’s Party (NPP) and President Adama Barrow in the 2026 presidential election did not come as a surprise to many Gambians who are living the reality of progress every day. This is not the first time Ceprass has read the national mood accurately. In 2021, a similar survey predicted President Barrow’s victory—an outcome that was ultimately confirmed at the ballot box.

As expected, the opposition has rushed to dismiss the poll, branding it “self-acclaimed political analysis.” This pattern is familiar: when data and public sentiment do not favor them, denial becomes their default response. Yet elections are not won in press conferences or on social media—they are won by performance, trust, and delivery.

The NPP and President Adama Barrow have always believed in the wisdom of the Gambian people. Gambians value results over rhetoric. They recognize good governance when they see it, and they reward leadership that delivers tangible improvements to their lives.

Under President Barrow’s leadership, the country has witnessed unprecedented investment in road infrastructure, connecting rural communities to markets, schools, and health facilities. Access to electricity has expanded nationwide, with communities that were once in darkness now fully connected to the national grid. Clean and reliable water supply has improved across urban and rural areas, directly impacting public health and quality of life.

Beyond infrastructure, The Gambia today enjoys a stable democratic environment anchored in respect for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and political pluralism. Institutions operate with greater independence, citizens speak freely without fear, and the country continues to consolidate the democratic gains achieved since 2017. This political stability is not accidental—it is the product of deliberate leadership and restraint at the highest level of government.

While the opposition focuses almost exclusively on the cost of living, they conveniently ignore global realities. Economic hardship is not unique to The Gambia; it is a worldwide challenge driven by global inflation, supply chain disruptions, and international economic shocks. Even in Europe and North America, the cost of living today is significantly higher than it was a decade ago.

Importantly, The Gambia remains among the most affordable countries in West Africa. Rather than politicising global hardship, the NPP government has taken practical steps to cushion its impact. Through sustained subsidies to agriculture, the provision of modern farming equipment, improved seeds, and mechanical support, the government is strengthening local food production and protecting livelihoods. These interventions are not theories—they are visible in fields, farms, and communities across the country.

Youth empowerment, skills development, and diaspora engagement have also expanded under the NPP, creating pathways for employment and entrepreneurship. Health and education sectors continue to receive increased attention, ensuring that development is inclusive and people-centred.

The Ceprass poll is therefore not propaganda—it is a reflection of lived experience. It captures a growing national consensus that President Adama Barrow represents stability, continuity, and progress. Gambians understand that development is a process, not an event, and they see clearly who is laying the foundation for a stronger future.

As we move toward 2026, the NPP’s campaign message is simple and honest: performance, peace, and progress. The facts speak for themselves, the record is visible, and the people are watching.

Victory in 2026 will not be won by noise, negativity, or denial. It will be won by trust—and President Adama Barrow has earned it.

By Yaya Dampha
NPP Diaspora Coordinator

SUWAIBOU TOURAY: THE STEADY FIREPOWER OF GAMBIA’S PRINCIPLED OPPOSITION

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Hon. Suwaibou Touray, Member of the National Assembly for Wuli East, has firmly established himself as one of the most consequential voices in Gambian opposition politics, following his election as Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS).

A lifelong member of PDOIS, Touray represents the party’s generational shift in leadership, succeeding veteran politician and co-founder Halifa Sallah. His election signals a defining moment for PDOIS—one of The Gambia’s oldest, most disciplined, and ideologically grounded political parties—as it balances continuity with renewal.

Touray’s political journey spans more than three decades of service, activism, and intellectual engagement. As a former reporter and editor at Foroyaa Newspaper, he played a pivotal role in mentoring young people in politics and professional journalism. He traversed the length and breadth of the country, sharing political education and empowering communities with information. Those who have worked closely with him consistently describe him as a fountain of knowledge—generous, tolerant, deeply principled, and unwavering in his readiness to serve.

His first attempt at parliamentary office came in 2007 under the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), where he fell short. But persistence defined his path. In 2017, he secured a historic victory in Wuli East on a PDOIS ticket, a seat he successfully defended in the 2022 parliamentary elections with an increased margin—an emphatic endorsement from his constituents.

Within the National Assembly, Touray has earned respect for his sharp interventions, consistency, and depth of analysis. He has been vocal on constitutional reform, public accountability, rural development, and economic justice, often championing the struggles of farmers and marginalized communities—issues deeply rooted in his largely rural constituency.

As Secretary General of PDOIS, Touray now assumes the mantle of chief executive and political leader of the party. In his acceptance remarks, he pledged to strengthen party structures, energize youth participation, and uphold PDOIS’s long-standing commitment to people-centred governance, social justice, and democratic accountability.

Firmly opposed to corruption, wasteful public spending, and inequality, Touray has cultivated a reputation as a disciplined lawmaker guided by conscience rather than convenience. His rise within PDOIS reflects both loyalty to its founding ideals and the urgency of adapting to a new political generation.

Ultimately, Suwaibou Touray’s power lies not in noise or theatrics, but in moral clarity, intellectual depth, and unwavering service. In an era of shifting loyalties and political expediency, he stands as a rare constant—proof that integrity, patience, and people-first politics can still command respect. For many Gambians, Hon. Suwaibou Touray is not just a leader to watch, but a standard by which leadership itself is measured.

“Rumours the Last Refuge of a Defeated Opposition” Adama Barrow is NPP Candidate OK!!

By Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator Sweden 

It is still many months before the December elections in The Gambia, yet fear, uncertainty, and the clear prospect of defeat have already plunged the opposition into political delirium. Unable to offer vision, credibility, or leadership, they have resorted to what they know best: confusion, fabrication, and calculated rumour-mongering.

First came the hollow and desperate “no to third term” chant—an empty slogan designed to mislead rather than inform. When that failed to gain traction, they escalated to the now-familiar tactic of whisper campaigns dressed up as “reliable sources,” falsely claiming that President Adama Barrow is stepping aside. Let us be absolutely clear: these claims are deliberate lies. They are not mistakes, not misunderstandings, but carefully engineered falsehoods meant to deceive the public.

This is textbook political sabotage. We know the playbook. Third columnists manufacture rumours, deploy agents to spread them, and repeat them endlessly until some are tempted to believe them. “I heard it from someone close.” “I swear I witnessed it.” Some will even invoke the names of their deceased loved ones to sell a lie. Repetition does not turn falsehood into truth—it only exposes desperation.

The National People’s Party (NPP) is far ahead of this tired game. We are focused, organized, and grounded in facts, not fiction. We have been clear, consistent, and transparent: President Adama Barrow is the NPP’s candidate for the 2026 presidential election. There is no ambiguity, no hidden agenda, and no retreat. We are confident of returning him to State House—on the strength of performance, not propaganda.

President Barrow’s record speaks louder than any rumour. Good governance. Respect for the rule of law. Peace, stability, and national reconciliation. Massive infrastructural development across the country. A leadership style defined by tolerance and inclusivity—qualities that have made him one of the most tolerant leaders on the African continent and positioned The Gambia as one of the most peaceful and safest countries in Africa.

These are not opinions. They are facts—visible, measurable, and undeniable.

No amount of rumour-mongering can erase roads built, institutions strengthened, freedoms protected, or peace sustained. The Gambian people are wiser than the opposition assumes. They can distinguish between noise and nation-building.

The truth is simple: when vision fails, rumours rise. But truth, performance, and leadership will always prevail.

POLICE ARREST SUSPECT, SAFELY RECOVER ABDUCTED INFANT

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter
Date: January 26, 2026

The Gambia Police Force has once again demonstrated commendable professionalism and investigative efficiency with the swift arrest of a suspect and the safe recovery of a seven-month-old infant reported missing in Banjul.

The incident occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when a woman travelling from Barra to Banjul boarded a commercial vehicle with her infant. During the journey, the mother briefly entrusted her child to a fellow passenger while she stepped away momentarily. On returning, she discovered that both the passenger and her baby had disappeared.

The case was immediately reported to the Banjul Police Station, prompting rapid police intervention. Officers launched coordinated follow-up operations and issued public alerts, demonstrating a high level of responsiveness and commitment to public safety.

On Monday, January 26, 2026, police successfully apprehended a 17-year-old female suspect at Ebo Town with the missing infant in her possession. The child was recovered unharmed, taken for medical examination as a precautionary measure, and safely reunited with the mother.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue in line with due process and child-justice procedures.

This successful operation further reinforces the reputation of the Gambia Police Force as one of the most effective investigative institutions in the world. With better equipment and resources comparable to other international forces, the GP Force would undoubtedly rank among the very best globally.

The Police have commended members of the public for their vigilance and cooperation, while reassuring citizens of their unwavering commitment to child protection and public security. Parents and guardians are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when travelling with children, particularly in public transport and crowded places.

The public is urged to immediately report any suspicious behaviour involving children to the nearest police station or by calling 9968885.

Editorial Note:
Members of the public are encouraged to remain security-conscious at all times, especially regarding the safety of infants and young children. It is increasingly common to see children left unattended on streets or sent on errands alone, a practice that no longer aligns with present-day security realities. Times have changed, and the safety of children now requires greater responsibility, alertness, and collective vigilance from all.