Gambia’s Drug Enforcement Chief Marks World Drug Day with Call for Renewed Action

Banjul, The Gambia – June 26, 2025 The Director General of The Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), Mr. Demba Ceesay, has issued a clarion call for stronger national and international collaboration in tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking, as the country marked this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Speaking at a commemorative event hosted by the President’s International Award in Banjul, Mr. Ceesay expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow for entrusting him with the leadership of the agency and reaffirmed his team’s commitment to combatting the growing drug crisis in The Gambia. “This year’s commemoration comes nearly one year after my appointment, at a time when drug abuse and trafficking are on the rise globally and locally,” said Mr. Ceesay. “The influx of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances continues to pose grave threats, particularly to our youth.” Mr. Ceesay detailed the evolving nature of the drug trade, highlighting the spread of synthetic cannabis, crack cocaine, ecstasy, and other controlled substances in Gambian communities. He also noted The Gambia’s vulnerability as a transit point on the transatlantic cocaine route to Europe. Reforms and Results In response, DLEAG has undertaken significant internal reforms. According to the Director General, strategic restructuring in 2024 helped bolster operational effectiveness, leading to record-breaking drug seizures and arrests. Between January and December 2024, the agency registered 1,208 drug-related cases and arrested 1,219 individuals, of whom 205 were foreign nationals from countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, the UK, and the US. Drug seizures during the reporting period included: Cannabis Sativa: Over 1.9 tonnes Cocaine: 125 kg Hashish (Cannabis Resin): 14 kg Skunk (Cannabis Ruderalis): 48 kg Kush: 13.9 kg Methamphetamine Tablets: Nearly 19,000 MDMA (Ecstasy) Tablets: Over 104,000 Crystal Meth, Tramadol, Clonazepam, and other prescription and designer drugs

Cannabis-related substances accounted for 54.7% of all cases, with emerging drugs like Kush and Methamphetamine contributing significantly to the remaining share. Prosecution has also improved markedly. DLEAG successfully prosecuted 207 cases in 2024, with a 92% increase in the second half of the year following reforms within the agency’s Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Affairs. Beyond Enforcement: Rehabilitation and Education Mr. Ceesay emphasized that enforcement alone will not solve the country’s drug problem. “We have stepped up our drug demand reduction efforts through nationwide sensitization, school outreach, and radio programming,” he said. A milestone initiative is the development of a national treatment and rehabilitation center in Tranquil, West Coast Region. Construction began in March 2025 in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission. Once operational, it will be the first such center in The Gambia. Gratitude to Partners and Citizens The Director General expressed appreciation for the support of local security institutions, including the Gambia Police Force, Immigration Department, Armed Forces, and others. He also thanked international partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ECOWAS, the EU, and foreign missions, including embassies of Turkey, China, the U.S., and the U.K., for capacity-building support. Special thanks were extended to the judiciary, media, and civil society organizations, as well as grassroots youth and women’s groups, for their role in prevention and advocacy. To the public, Mr. Ceesay issued a call for vigilance and cooperation. “Law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once,” he said. “We need the public’s help to report suspicious activity and work with us to build drug-free communities.” In closing, he commended his agency’s staff and the DLEAG Board for their unwavering dedication. “This fight belongs to all of us,” he said. “Together, we can protect our youth and secure the future of this country.”

The Gambia and Finland Deepen Maritime Cooperation in London Bilateral Talks London

Yet in another giant step on the 24 June 2025 – The Gambian High Commission In a significant step towards strengthening maritime collaboration, representatives of The Gambia and Finland held a high-level bilateral meeting in London on Monday. The engagement formed part of Finland’s diplomatic outreach in support of its candidacy for re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C. The Finnish delegation, led by Ms. Minna Kivimäki, Permanent Secretary at Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, met with Sulayman Suntou Touray, Deputy Head of Mission at the Gambian High Commission, and his team to discuss shared maritime interests and areas of cooperation. Both parties affirmed their commitment to the IMO’s overarching goals, including maritime safety, sustainable development, and capacity building within the sector. Ms. Kivimäki outlined Finland’s key priorities in its re-election bid—chief among them maritime decarbonisation, technological advancement, maritime education, and safety enhancement. Finland also highlighted its advanced national digital maritime infrastructure, particularly the FinTraffic system, as a potential model for technical cooperation with developing countries.

Mr. Touray welcomed the Finnish delegation’s initiative and reaffirmed The Gambia’s readiness to deepen bilateral ties in the maritime domain. He outlined The Gambia’s strategic priorities, such as professional training for seafarers, sustainable port development, and efforts to position the country as a regional maritime hub. He further noted that Finland’s technological strengths align well with The Gambia’s vision for its blue economy. As a mark of diplomatic solidarity and shared objectives, The Gambia officially endorsed Finland’s re-election to the IMO Council. Discussions also identified key areas for future collaboration, including digital port solutions, maritime security, and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—an urgent issue for West African coastal nations. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Finland extending an invitation to the Gambian delegation for an upcoming diplomatic reception. Both nations expressed strong interest in sustaining the momentum through continued technical and diplomatic engagement.

GRA and Trust Bank Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Tax Collection

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to modernize the country’s tax administration under the leadership of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation. The Authority’s commitment to fully digitizing revenue collection is yielding significant results, contributing billions of dalasis to national revenue annually.

In a major step forward, the GRA and Trust Bank Ltd on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting tax collection efficiency across the country. The signing ceremony, held in Banjul, was attended by Trust Bank’s Managing Director, Njilan Senghore, and GRA Commissioner General Darboe.

This strategic partnership seeks to streamline the payment of taxes and customs duties through secure, transparent, and timely transactions. It also aims to provide taxpayers with tailored banking services while fostering economic growth and community development.

At the heart of this collaboration is the shared vision of building a modern, digitized, and taxpayer-friendly revenue system for The Gambia.

The Unwavering Commitment of GRA under CG YANKUBA DARBOE

Driving National Progress Through Visionary Tax Leadership: The Unwavering Commitment of the Gambia Revenue Authority Under Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe In recent years, The Gambia has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in domestic revenue mobilization, thanks to the bold leadership and relentless commitment of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe and his dynamic team at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA). What was once a modest revenue base has now become a thriving engine of national development — generating millions of dalasis in collections every single month. Under CG Darboe’s results-driven leadership, the GRA has evolved into a model institution of integrity, innovation, and national service. Far beyond just fulfilling its constitutional mandate of collecting due taxes, the Authority has significantly ramped up efforts in recovering long-outstanding tax arrears, injecting millions back into the national treasury. This transformative performance has empowered the government of President Adama Barrow to undertake major development projects — in infrastructure, education, and healthcare — without the heavy burden of foreign borrowing. Central to this success is the GRA’s firm commitment to digitizing tax administration. Through cutting-edge digital platforms and automated systems, the Authority is decisively combating official corruption, eliminating nepotism, and increasing transparency across all touchpoints of tax collection. The digital tax revolution is not just an operational upgrade; it is a cornerstone of a new era in public finance management in The Gambia.

Equally inspiring is the emergence of a new generation of capable, forward-thinking professionals within the Authority. One such shining example is Mrs. Isatou Jallow, one of the youngest female managers at the GRA, who currently leads the Post Clearance Audit Unit within the Customs and Excise Department. With a strong focus on innovation and data-driven enforcement, Mrs. Jallow and her team utilized advanced auditing technologies to recover over D15 million in 2024 alone — setting a new national benchmark for strategic revenue assurance. Her success is a reflection of the GRA’s broader strategy: empowering talent, embracing technology, and strengthening systems to ensure every dalasi due is collected for the benefit of the Gambian people. As the GRA continues to rise under the visionary stewardship of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, The Gambia is no longer waiting for change — it is driving it. The Authority’s unwavering dedication, nationalistic spirit, and performance-first culture are laying the foundation for a financially independent and development-focused future. The Gambia Revenue Authority is not just collecting taxes — it is building the nation.

GAMBIA SECURES DUTY-FREE EXPORT DEAL WITH CHINA

Landmark Trade Agreements Open Chinese Market to Gambian Groundnuts and Cashew

The Gambia has taken a significant leap forward in its international trade ambitions after signing two landmark agreements with the People’s Republic of China, securing duty-free access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets for its leading agricultural exports—groundnuts and cashews. The historic signing took place during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the implementation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Changsha, Hunan Province, from June 11 to 15, 2025. Representing The Gambia, the Hon. Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mr. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, formalized The Gambia’s participation by signing two key documents: the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development and the Protocol on Groundnut and Cashew. Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties The Framework Agreement outlines a shared vision for deeper cooperation and mutual economic benefit, underscoring a commitment to reciprocity, sustainable growth, and strengthened trade relations between the two countries. The agreement provides a strategic platform to boost investment and trade flows, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Groundnut and Cashew Protocol: A Boost for Farmers The standout achievement of the mission is the Protocol on Groundnut and Cashew, which grants Gambian exporters duty-free access to the Chinese market under China's Duty-Free Quota-Free (DFQF) Market Access Preferential Scheme. This move is widely hailed as a game-changer for The Gambia’s agricultural economy. It is expected to: Open new and lucrative export opportunities for local farmers and processors Diversify The Gambia’s export markets beyond traditional regional partners Increase the contribution of agriculture to national GDP Attract further investment into the value chain of key cash crops "This agreement is a critical milestone in our efforts to secure sustainable international markets for Gambian products," said Minister Joof. "We are committed to building on this momentum to drive inclusive growth, empower our farmers, and strengthen our position in global trade." Commitment to Inclusive Economic Growth The agreements come at a time when The Gambia is actively pursuing economic diversification and trade-led growth. Through FOCAC and other bilateral engagements, the country aims to broaden its trade horizons while deepening strategic ties with global partners like China. Minister Joof reaffirmed the government’s dedication to expanding trade opportunities, enhancing export competitiveness, and improving market access for Gambian products through targeted diplomacy and investment promotion. A New Chapter in Gambia-China Relations The signing of these agreements marks a new era in Gambia-China cooperation. Analysts believe that this move not only strengthens bilateral relations but also positions The Gambia as a model for small economies seeking to integrate into global value chains through strategic partnerships. As the outcomes of the FOCAC framework begin to take shape, The Gambia stands to benefit from enhanced connectivity, market access, and sustainable development—hallmarks of a modern, forward-looking trade agenda. For more business and trade updates, follow [Newspaper Name] on [Social Media Handles]. Would you like this tailored for online publication, including SEO optimization and headline variations?

In Defense of Our Jarranka Wife: No More Silence on the Abuse of Her Mojoress Rohey Malick Lowe

In the rich fabric of African culture, and especially within our proud Jarranka tradition, a wife is not just a partner to her husband — she is a daughter of the soil, a sister to every man, and a mother to the community. When a woman marries into Jarra, she becomes one of us — and we, as her people, owe her our protection, our voice, and our unwavering solidarity. Today, we rise to say enough is enough. No more abuse. No more silence. We stand with Her Mojoress Rohey Malick Lowe, the Mayor of Banjul, not only because she is rightfully defending herself, but because she is our wife, and she deserves justice. Mayor Lowe has spoken openly and courageously about the pain she has endured — not from enemies, but from within her own political family, the United Democratic Party (UDP), to which she has given years of service, dignity, and loyalty. While she has faced continuous harassment and character assassination at the hands of individuals like Mark Janneh, the party leadership — including her own husband, Mboge Saidykhan, a Jarranka and a UDP member — has remained disturbingly silent. This silence is betrayal. We Ask: Where Is the Loyalty? We, the sons and daughters of Jarra, do not understand how a man can watch his wife, a mother to his children, be dragged through the mud — insulted, humiliated, and ostracized — and remain silent. Mboge Saidykhan, this is not the Jarranka way. In our culture, we shield our women from disgrace. We don’t hide behind politics when a woman of integrity and courage is being crushed by lies. This is not just a political matter — this is a matter of dignity. Mayor Lowe has stood tall for years, serving her city, leading with purpose, and building a legacy far beyond politics. She reminds us: “Politics does not pay my bills.” This is a woman who built herself long before she held office — who raised her mother up, built homes, and achieved success through determination and hard work. And yet, instead of celebration, she has received condemnation. For years, she has been the target of coordinated attacks, particularly from within her own party — for what reason? Because she dared to be vocal? Because she wouldn’t kneel to a faction? Or simply because she is a strong woman in a space where weak men feel threatened by strength?

A Shame on the UDP Leadership It is a national shame that a party which so quickly issues press statements to defend others could not muster the courage to defend one of their own — a woman who has held the party’s banner high, a symbol of leadership for Gambian women across the country. When insults were hurled at her, when audios circulated demeaning her and even targeting her family, UDP stood silent. But when the insults were directed at others — when it was politically expedient — the party had plenty to say. Selective justice is injustice. We are forced to ask: Is the UDP a party that only defends women when it’s convenient? Or are they prepared to stand for every woman who serves them, even when she challenges the status quo? Jarra Will Not Be Silent To the bullies within the UDP, especially those hiding behind screens and WhatsApp audios — hear this clearly: you are attacking our wife, our sister, our pride. Rohey Lowe married into Jarra, and with that comes our unwavering protection. Your cowardice is noted. Your silence, Mr. Mboge Saidykhan, is remembered. We are a community that knows the value of a woman. In our culture, a woman is a pillar — and when one is attacked, the community rises. That is who we are.

To Rohey Lowe: Stand Tall Your voice, Her Mojoress, is echoing across the land. And now it echoes through Jarra too. You are not alone. You are not an outcast in the eyes of your people — you are our pride, our example, our Jarranka Queen. To the women of The Gambia — let this be a message. Silence is no longer our portion. We must speak, we must rise, and we must protect one another. If the party will not defend its own, the community will. Our Final Word: Never Again We the Jarrankas declare today: Never again will a woman be bullied into silence because she dares to lead. Never again will a Jarranka wife be left alone to fight battles she should never have fought. To the UDP: address your rot or lose the moral ground you claim to stand on. To Mboge Saidykhan: it is time to be a husband, not a spectator. To Rohey Malick Lowe: the entire community of Jarra stands with you — not behind you, with you. Shoulder to shoulder. No more bullying. No more abuse. No more silence. We are Jarra, and we defend our own. Issued by YayaDampha Concerned Son of Jarra In defense of our wife, our leader, and our pride — Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe