Barrow’s Rural Transformation Agenda Accelerates as Communities Celebrate New Feeder Roads

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Communities across Jarra, Kiang and Foni turned out in jubilant numbers to welcome President Adama Barrow as he continued his nationwide foundation-laying tour for new feeder roads, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming rural connectivity and strengthening The Gambia’s agricultural economy.

The visit forms part of the second phase of President Barrow’s ambitious infrastructure drive, which has already delivered electricity to over 90 percent of the Gambian population—a historic milestone widely regarded as one of the administration’s most significant development achievements.

Now, the government is turning its attention to rural roads, with more than 75 kilometres of feeder roads set to link farming communities to highways, hospitals, schools, and major markets.

During the latest leg of the tour across the Lower River Region (LRR) and Foni in the West Coast Region (WCR), enthusiastic residents lined the streets to greet the presidential convoy, praising what many described as long-awaited development finally reaching their doorsteps.

President Barrow laid foundation stones for several key feeder road projects that will improve accessibility and economic activity in rural communities. The roads include:

Sare Jamma – Minna: 4.5 km (LRR)

Gjonkil, Kewel, Kangmamudu – Kampassa: 4.3 km (Foni Jarol, WCR)

Wasadou, Adullay, Fass Chabai, Kangiramba Busary – Bulengant: 7.0 km (Foni Jarol, WCR)

Bondali – Jorem Bundakunda: 4.2 km (Foni Bondali)

Burambang, Bulegant, Tibat, Kankurang – Bambara: 7.5 km (Foni, WCR)

Nyentempo, Fass Chamen, Nfee, Jending, Jilahar – Bulunto: 7.2 km (Foni, WCR)

These projects form part of a broader 204.7 kilometres of feeder roads being implemented under the World Bank-supported Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV).

Government officials say the initiative will significantly improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs for farmers, and open rural communities to essential social services such as healthcare and education.

As part of the program, modern agricultural equipment is also being distributed nationwide, further empowering farmers and strengthening the country’s food production capacity.

President Barrow also inspected the Kabada Belt and Kiang West road works, another major infrastructure intervention designed to enhance mobility and stimulate economic activity across the Kiang area.

Community leaders along the tour route hailed the projects as a transformative step for rural development, noting that improved roads will allow farmers to transport their produce more efficiently while giving residents easier access to hospitals, schools, and markets.

With electricity expansion already reaching most parts of the country and road networks now extending deeper into rural communities, observers say the Barrow administration’s infrastructure push is laying the foundation for a more connected, productive, and prosperous Gambia.

State Withdraws Motion Seeking Stay of Bail Order in Bojang Case

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter
April 1, 2026

The State has formally withdrawn its application seeking to stay the execution of the bail order granted to Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang, in the ongoing legal proceedings before the High Court of The Gambia.

According to an official Notice of Withdrawal filed at the High Court of The Gambia, Criminal Division in Banjul, the State discontinued two motions it had earlier filed on March 31, 2026 in relation to the case The State vs. Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang (Criminal Case No. HC/744/23/CR/148/AO).

The first motion was an ex-parte application seeking an interim stay of execution of the bail order pending the hearing of a substantive motion. The second was a Motion on Notice requesting the court to stay the execution of the bail granted on March 30, 2026, pending the hearing and final determination of the State’s appeal against the judgment of acquittal.

However, in a notice signed by State Counsel A. Drammeh, the State informed the court that it was withdrawing both processes. The notice clarified that the withdrawal applies to both respondents, namely Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang.

Meanwhile, the Gambia Police Force has confirmed that the two individuals have been released from State custody with immediate effect.

In a press release issued on April 1, 2026, the Police informed the public of the development and called for calm.

“The Gambia Police Force wishes to inform the public that Mr. Ousainou Bojang and Ms. Amie Bojang have been released from State custody with immediate effect,” the statement said.

The Police further urged citizens to continue with their normal and lawful activities while assuring the public of its continued commitment to maintaining peace, security, and public order across the country.

The Bojang case has drawn significant public attention in recent weeks, particularly following the High Court’s decision to acquit and discharge the accused persons, and the subsequent legal moves by the State to challenge aspects of the ruling.

Legal observers note that although the State has withdrawn the motions relating to the stay of the bail order, the broader appeal process concerning the judgment of acquittal remains a separate matter within the judicial system.

JarranewsTV will continue to monitor developments in the case and provide updates as they unfold.

State Files Appeal to Overturn Acquittal of Ousainou and Amie Bojang

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Banjul — The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice has filed a formal appeal seeking to overturn the acquittal and discharge of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang, following the High Court ruling delivered by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.

In a Notice of Appeal filed on March 31, 2026, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) A.M. Yusuf described the trial court’s decision as “unreasonable and erroneous,” urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment and substitute it with convictions and sentences proportionate to the gravity of the offences.

According to the filing, the State has advanced seven grounds of appeal, arguing that the trial judge committed several errors in both law and fact in arriving at the acquittal.

Ground One: Confessional Statements

The State contends that Justice Jaiteh erred in law by reducing the evidentiary weight of Ousainou Bojang’s extra-judicial statements, tendered as Exhibit P6, on the basis that they lacked corroboration. The prosecution argues that the statements were obtained in compliance with due process and were sufficiently corroborated. It further maintains that a properly established confession can legally sustain a conviction even if the accused later retracts it.

Ground Two: Burden of Proof and Alibi

The prosecution also argues that the trial judge improperly shifted the burden of proof onto the State to disprove what it describes as an “afterthought alibi” raised during the trial. The State further submits that WhatsApp messages tendered as Exhibit D38 do not conclusively establish the accused’s physical location. It also faults the court for relying on testimony from witnesses described as close associates or relatives of the accused—identified as DW3, DW4, and DW12—whose evidence, the State argues, required careful caution due to their potential interest in the case.

Ground Three: Circumstantial Evidence

In its third ground, the State maintains that the judge focused too narrowly on visual identification principles, commonly referred to as the Turnbull guidelines, while overlooking what it describes as a “compelling web of circumstantial evidence.” The prosecution asserts that this body of evidence led investigators to Ousainou Bojang’s residence, where a kaftan allegedly linked to the case was recovered, and where the location of the alleged murder weapon was identified.

Ground Four: Flight to Senegal

The State further argues that Ousainou Bojang’s departure to Senegal on September 13, 2023, shortly after the incident, constitutes strong evidence of a “consciousness of guilt.” According to the prosecution, the trial judge failed to adequately scrutinize the accused’s explanation that he fled because of allegedly circulating nude photographs on social media. The State claims that the clandestine nature of the journey and attempts to avoid police checkpoints point instead to deliberate evasion.

Ground Five: Video Recording of Detention

The appeal also challenges the judge’s treatment of procedural issues surrounding the failure to video-record the accused’s detention under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The State argues that once the court admitted the confessional statements following a voir dire, it should not subsequently have deemed them unreliable solely because of procedural non-compliance.

Ground Six: Alleged Role of Amie Bojang

With respect to Amie Bojang, the State submits that if the acquittal of Ousainou Bojang is overturned, the case against her as an accessory would automatically be revived. The prosecution points to testimony suggesting that she arranged transportation for her brother while allegedly aware that he intended to avoid public places.

Ground Seven: Overall Assessment of Evidence

Finally, the State argues that the High Court’s judgment was “unreasonable, excessive, and unwarranted” when assessed against the totality of the evidence presented during the trial.

The prosecution is therefore asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the High Court’s ruling and replace the acquittal with a conviction.

The case is expected to proceed before the Court of Appeal at a date yet to be announced.