The Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, claimed that the Draft Constitution would have addressed inadequacies related to constituencies for Gambians living abroad. However, a thorough review of both the 2020 and 2024 Draft Constitutions reveals that no such provisions exist, contradicting his statement. This raises concerns about the accuracy of his remarks during the consideration of Clause 14 of the Elections Bill 2021. More in the FactCheck report.

Government arrears totalling over D248 million to NAWEC are undermining the capability of the only national water and electricity company from functioning properly. The list of institutions in arears includes MDAs, SOEs, and Local Councils. More in this report.

The aftermath of Parliamentarians vote to remove clause 14 to register Gambians abroad has been met with significant public outcry. This has prompted our reporter to dig up a previously unpublished article featuring a meeting between the National Assembly’s joint committee and Gambians in the Diaspora spearheaded by MSDG. More in the link.

In his quest to highlight The Gambia Government’s efforts to promote University education, the Minister for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services claimed that the government “spends D33 million” annually to shuttle University of The Gambia (UTG) students to and from the new Faraba Banta Campus. Our researchers have perused budget documents and received information from the Ministry of Finance proving the Minister’s claim are false.

Speaking at QTV’s This Morning Show, Information Minister Dr. Ceesay claimed that The Gambia is the only country that builds a university and shuttles students to the university. Askanwi factcheckers have found examples across four African countries proving the Minister’s claims are false. More in the factcheck.

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) remains in dire financial straits as its losses continue to mount, raising concerns about its sustainability and impact on the national economy. More in the report.

The Gambia Telecommunications Company (GAMTEL) is grappling with a severe financial crisis, burdened by nearly D197 million in unpaid debts. More in this report.

As the government struggles to balance revenue collection and expenditure, a concerning trend persists with debt servicing continuing to consume a substantial portion of the national budget. More in the report.

This publication interrogates the question of whether Parliament and the Executive have violated the law with regards to budget implementation by making reference to legal provisions and highlighting instances when this legal requirement has been ignored. This leaves the door open for waste, fraud, and abuse to continue unabated in The Gambia.

President Adama Barrow’s recent claim that The Gambia recorded over 233,000 tourist arrivals in just three months has been debunked by official data. A fact-checking investigation reveals that the actual number is significantly lower, casting doubt on the government’s projections for the 2024-2025 tourist season. More in the report.