In a time when accountability and professionalism in public service are in short supply, Mrs. Anna Jarju of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) stood tall — only to become the target of unjust attacks. Following a now-publicized incident involving international footballer Musa Barrow at Banjul International Airport on July 11, 2025, certain social media users and unprincipled media outlets have launched a smear campaign against this dedicated public servant.
Let’s be clear: Mrs. Jarju did her job. She followed procedure. She upheld the law.
According to an official statement from the GRA, Mr. Barrow arrived in Banjul on a Turkish Airlines flight with five suitcases, all of which were flagged during standard customs screening. Instead of personally cooperating with customs officers — as is expected of every traveler, regardless of their status — Mr. Barrow delegated the task to his brother and others, and refused multiple requests to come forward for inspection. His representatives failed to produce proper documentation for the contents of the luggage, leading to the imposition of customs duties which were later reduced after internal discussions.
Throughout this incident, Mrs. Anna Jarju — the GRA Shift Supervisor — conducted herself with integrity and professionalism. Contrary to false reports, she was not present during the initial scanning, and when approached later, she acted in full compliance with established protocols. CCTV footage with audio, reviewed by GRA authorities, confirms this.
Yet, despite her measured conduct, she has become a punching bag for online commentators and gossip-hungry media houses that seem more interested in clicks than truth.
The Real Issue: Rule of Law vs. Celebrity Privilege
This situation is not about personal grievances or social status — it’s about the rule of law. The Gambia cannot afford a society where celebrity or wealth becomes a shield from legal obligations. Customs procedures exist for a reason. They are part of a broader tax system that supports national development — funding our hospitals, schools, roads, and essential services.
It is every citizen’s duty — from the farmer in Janjanbureh to the footballer in Milan — to pay taxes or go through the lawful process of seeking a duty waiver. That is how functioning societies operate. If someone believes they are entitled to an exemption, let them submit the necessary paperwork — not send emissaries to argue their case in the airport terminal.
Public Servants Are Not the Enemy
Mrs. Jarju is not the villain in this story. She is a reflection of the kind of public servant The Gambia desperately needs — principled, composed, and unwavering in the face of pressure. To attack her character for fulfilling her responsibilities is not only unfair; it sends a dangerous message to other officers: “Do your job, and we’ll tear you down for it.”
We must ask ourselves: do we want a country where public officials are bullied into silence, or one where the law applies to all — equally and consistently?
A Word to the Online Mob
To those on social media who have turned this incident into a circus: freedom of expression is a right — but truth is a responsibility. Misinformation, tribal sentiments, and personal attacks erode the very foundation of the justice you claim to defend. If your goal is accountability, then let your advocacy be guided by facts, not fiction.
Conclusion: Let Us Stand by Those Who Stand for the Law
JarraNewsTV stands in full support of Mrs. Anna Jarju and all law-abiding customs officers across the country. Their job is not glamorous. It is often thankless. But it is vital to the integrity and sovereignty of our nation.
In defending Anna Jarju, we defend professionalism. We defend justice. And we affirm, once again, that no one is above the law — not even our heroes in cleats.
— JarraNewsTV Editorial Board
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