As The Gambia pushes forward with its Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023-2027, economic hurdles threaten progress. Rising debt, high inflation, and sluggish growth overshadow efforts to achieve stability and poverty reduction. With two years left in the plan, can the government turn the tide, or will the RF-NDP remain an unfulfilled ambition?

The Gambia’s ambitious Bertil Harding Highway expansion project, aimed at easing congestion and modernizing the country’s transportation network, has hit a snag. Despite securing a $40 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in October 2024, Phase III of the project failed to commence by the end of 2024 as promised by Transport Minister Ebrima Sillah. This delay has sparked public frustration and raised questions about the government’s ability to deliver on its infrastructure commitments.

Our observation shows that work is still ongoing, as streets like Lancaster and Perseverance are still yet to have new pavement. Therefore, Hon. Minister Ebrima Sillah’s claim that President Barrow’s government paved all the streets in Banjul is deemed misleading.

Verdict: MISLEADING

The Gambia’s only CAF Approved Stadium was banned since March 2022 and since then the Scorpions have been forced to play all home matches outside the country. Since then the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Bakary Badjie issued multiple promises to rectify this problem. Our report ascertains if the MoYS kept any of their promises?

Back in December 2023 the Justice Minister revealed to Parliamentarians that his Ministry would establish a Victims Commission in the first quarter of 2024. However, now that the third quarter is almost complete the question remains if a Victims Commission will be established in 2024 at all.

The Gambia Ferry Services promised to complete much needed maintenance works on the Kunta Kinteh Ferry. This article tracks if the promise was kept or not?

President Barrow told members of the media that his government is committed to addressing maternal mortality which he claims has reduced under his government. Our reporters tracked this promise detailed in the National Development Plan.

In a televised address at the annual Eid-ul Fitr, President Adama Barrow promised to fix the pumping station and a number of open gutters which he referred to as big holes across the city. How did contractors perform?

Has President Barrow’s government met the National Development Plan’s target of investing in Youth Entrepreneurship?