Recently, the government announced a temporary restriction on the importation of potatoes and onions, ostensibly to protect local producers. On the surface, this seems like a good decision. However, on closer inspection, it is not the action of a government that is serious about supporting local industry or farmers, particularly smallholders.

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In a recent press statement, Dr Ismaila Ceesay claimed that The Gambia is on course to achieve universal electricity access before the end of 2026. This is not a new claim by the government. Dr Ceesay previously claimed that The Gambia would achieve universal access by 2025, which was the official position of the government. Just as that claim turned out to be false, this new claim is equally false for several reasons.

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Dr Ousman Gajigo observes that Tourists staying in Gambian hotels are increasingly crossing into Senegal for nature and cultural experiences that should be found at home, exposing a costly leakage in the country’s tourism economy.

From the neglect of Abuko Nature Reserve and Sindola Safari Park to poor integration with agriculture and local communities, government inaction has left the sector shallow and enclave-driven, argues Dr Gajigo.

As arrivals become the sole metric of success, the deeper value of tourism—jobs, linkages, and shared prosperity—continues to diminish. More in this opinion piece.

Africa’s recurring military coups are often blamed on soldiers’ ambition, yet they are rooted in a long history of constitutional abuse by civilian leaders. From manipulated constitutions to the monopolisation of power, these “constitutional coups” have steadily closed off peaceful avenues for change. Baba Galleh Jallow argues that until this underlying problem is confronted, condemning military takeovers will remain an empty ritual. More in the opinion piece.

Opposition leader, economist and agripreneur Dr Ousman Gajigo criticises the government’s failure to govern and face the reality. In his latest piece, he believes that the government is “increasingly out of touch with reality” and “persistently claiming the opposite of what real people are experiencing every single day”.

According to Dr Gajigo, “Over the past couple of months, the country has been facing food security challenges, a migrant crisis, and health sector problems. Yet officials in the Adama Barrow government would have you disbelieve your own eyes.”

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It is easy to differentiate a serious government from an incompetent one. One way of doing so is to see how they respond to valid criticisms. The response of President Barrow to concerns about the current deplorable state of healthcare in The Gambia leaves no doubt as to which kind of government he is leading. The reality is that everyone in the country knows that the average Gambian does not have access to affordable and quality healthcare. More in this editorial.

Dive into our this opinion piece written by Alhassan Drammeh, a Masters Student studying Diplomacy and International Relations at the University of the Gambia reflecting on The Gambia’s speech at UNGA 80, and what it reveals about the country’s position in global affairs.

#Askanwi #BaatiAskanwi

What was presented as a fresh start for The Gambia’s democracy has instead proved to be a calculated political manoeuvre. The Barrow administration’s so-called constitutional reform—framed as an escape from the 1997 Constitution—was ultimately a draft designed to consolidate the president’s power. With its rejection in the National Assembly, it is clear the government’s agenda was never about strengthening democracy but about protecting one man’s political future. More in this opinion piece.

This second publication by Yero Jallow explores the significance of the upcoming Massembeh Ward election set for Saturday, 22nd February 2025. More in this opinion piece.

Dr Gajigo interrogates the government’s decision to destroy and allocate a segment of Salaji Forest to a private business GACH to use as a lay area for basalt. He highlights the irregularities of the company’s dealings with the executive and the preferential treatment it is accorded to the detrement of the environment.