GDC leader says alliance with APRC faction wouldn’t jeopardize victims’ pursuit for justice

Mama Kandeh, the leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), has downplayed the potential impact of his alliance on victims’ pursuit of justice had he get elected president. Gambians head to polls on December 4 in what is country’s most crowded race for presidency since independence. On Tuesday, the GDC leader led an impressive crowd of supporters to file his nominations with Independent Electoral Commission. In the midst of the crowd, eyes couldn't miss the purple (GDC party colour) and green (APRC colour). The GDC has announced for[edgtf_dropcaps type="square" color="" background_color=""][/edgtf_dropcaps]ming a coalition with a faction of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation...

November 2, 2021Current Affairs, Election Hub
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Gambia’s first ‘raster’ presidential hopeful files for nomination

Bankole Yao Jojo Ahadzie, 43, has made history on Sunday by becoming the first rasterman to file for nomination as a presidential candidate in Gambia. Gambians head to the polls on December 4, a crowded race that show 22 people declaring interest in the country’s top job. Banky, as he is commonly called, has been a staff of the Medical Research Council (MRC) since the 2000. He studied internet engineering in the United Kingdom. The rasterman is seen by many observers as one of the underdogs in the coming elections. However, he is hailed for his simplicity and kindness by associates. He...

October 31, 2021Current Affairs, Election Hub
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Dr. Banja Sent On Leave Following Malagen’s Story On Bribery

State investigations followed Malagen’s investigative story, published last week, about a series of payments of bribery that Dr Banja allegedly received from Golden Lead, a scandal-ridden Chinese-owned fish meal company. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Dr Bamba Banja, has been sent on administrative leave effective Monday October 12, the Minister for Information Ebrima Sillah has confirmed to Malagen. The move followed Malagen’s investigative story, published last week, about a series of  payments of bribery that Dr Banja allegedly received from Golden Lead, a scandal-ridden Chinese-owned fish meal company. “Yes, I can confirm that Dr Banja is on leave and I am in...

October 13, 2021Breaking News, Investigations
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Explainer: data shows maternal death takes a downwards trend

In recent weeks, the mainstream and social media have been saturated with news on maternal death at the various health facilities in The Gambia. The news generated fear, apprehension and concern from the public, leading to a number of protests, both online and on the streets.  It also triggered debates about the risk associated with childbirth at public health facilities. Dr Musa Marena, a gynecologist, is the head of the health ministry’s unit responsible for maternal health. “We are receiving reports that some people are avoiding the [public] health centers and hospitals because of fear that it is not safe to deliver in these...

October 12, 2021Factchecking
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Covid–19 in Gambia: get vaccinated or get ready for the third waves

The Gambia could experience its third wave of Covid-19 in January 2022, according to health experts. Despite this fear though, the people are not taking the vaccines. It has been 7 months since vaccination started in the country but only about 11.8% took their jabs. A recent survey done by the Afrobarometer has indicated that 7 in every 10 Gambian believe that prayer is more effective than a vaccine in preventing COVID-19 infection.  And 5 in every 10 Gambian think prayer is “much more effective”. The health ministry is currently conducting a study to understand what is influencing vaccine hesitancy. In the past...

October 4, 2021Spotlight, The Interview
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Health Ministry’s $3.9m Deal: Who Got A Cut For Medical ‘Things Bought For Dying Individuals’

The Gambia’s ministry of health last year struck a $3.9m deal with a Turkey-based company for the purchase of medical items and equipment. Ten ambulances are included in the procurement, each reportedly bought for $89,750, approx. D5m at the time. · Malagen confirms from multiple sources that such ambulances cost at average price of $60,000 and from the deal, the ministry could have saved at least D90m of taxpayer funds, which could build at least 10 standard health posts and 40 community boreholes. · ...

August 27, 2021Investigations, The Big Story
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Fact-Check: Was President Barrow’s Remarks About The Banjul Rehabilitation Project ‘Entirely’ Correct?

Claim 1: The contractor of the Banjul Rehabilitation Project requested to be paid in Dalasi Source: President Adama Barrow Verdict: The claim is false One of the flagship infrastructure projects undertaken by the administration of President Adama Barrow is the US$36 million Banjul Rehabilitation Project. The single-sourced project was criticized for flouting basic procurement regulations. Claim In his recent interview on QTV’s State of Affairs programme, the Gambian leader claimed the contractor of the project, Haddim Gai, requested to be paid in dalasi while submitting his proposals to him at State House. “When he came to my office, what he told me, it was too good...

August 13, 2021Factchecking
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Fact-Check: Gambia’s GDP Currently Growing At 6% ?

Claim: Gambia’s GDP currently growing at 6% + Source: President Adama Barrow Verdict: Inaccurate President Adama Barrow in a recent interview on the State of Affairs television programme on the QTV, said the Gambian economy is growing at “6% plus”. The current government took over the reins of government under very difficult circumstances after the outgoing Yahya Jammeh administration refused to willingly relinquish power. This prompted a regional military intervention in The Gambia which subsequently affected tourism- a major income earner for the country. Business activities were also temporarily halted, which in turn negatively affected the economy. The country was also struggling with a very high, unsustainable...

August 9, 2021Factchecking
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Fact-Check: President Barrow Claims Tax Revenue Has Increased By Over 100% Under His Administration

Claim: Tax revenue has increased by over 100% since 2017 Source: President Adama Barrow Verdict: FALSE President Adama Barrow in a recent interview on the State of Affairs television programme on QTV, claimed tax collection by Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has increased under his administrations by over 100%. The Gambia is gearing up for Presidential elections in December, a crucial democratic exercise for citizens to pass verdict on the current administration that took over the mantle of governance after years of dictatorship in 2017. President Barrow ahead of the election continues to defend the performance of his administration and is touting his achievements. But how true is...

August 6, 2021Factchecking
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Factsheet: Gambia’s Debt To GDP Ratio Has Declined, But Does It Mean Prez Barrow Has Not Been Borrowing?

In his recent interview with the State of Affairs television programme on QTV, the Gambian leader Adama Barrow suggested his government has managed the country’s debt well by reducing it. “Our debt to GDP used to be 120%. Today, it is around 77%,” said President Barrow as he recounts his achievements. Rebasing of GDP It is accurate that Gambia’s public debt to GDP ratio was at 120% by the end of 2016. It is also correct that the current debt to GDP ratio is at 77.2%, according to the International Monetary Fund. But after the regime change in 2017, the government of Adama Barrow rebased the GDP, which led to a revision of the...

August 1, 2021Factchecking
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