Gambian Youths Discuss Role in Current Political Crisis

Confab follows Jammeh’s rejection of election results and his vow to not step-down on January 19 (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Dec2016)

Gambia: YJAG Says Troubled By Current Political Deadlock

YJAG also calls for the withdrawal of military officers from the streets (Photo Credit: Lamin Jahateh/FPI/Sept2013)

Announcement: YJAG 9th Anniversary and 4th Congress

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) has announced it is holding its 9th anniversary celebrations and fourth congress on January 7, 2017.

The congress avail the membership to select a new executive committee that will run the affairs of the association in the next three years.

YJAG was established in September 2007 by a group of young journalists to advocate for their welfare and the promotion and protection of press freedom and freedom of expression.

P2RS Training Rural Youth to Become Self-Reliant

Undertaking perilous journeys to Europe via deserts and high seas has been the thought of many young Gambians (male and female) – who often cite the “lack of opportunities” at home. (Photo Credit: M.E.Njie)

Alarm Bell Ringing For Women, Youth to Develop Bankable Business Plans – Agric Director

The organisers said the aim of the training is to build the entrepreneurial skills of women and young people to reduce the dependency rate and to eradicate irregular migration to Europe.

Gambia Says Withdrawing From International Court Targeting ‘People of Colour’

African leaders accuse of the ICC “witch-hunting” but rights groups said it's a good mechanism for justice (Photo taken from Veterans Today)

The Westfield Clinic: Japan-funded medical equipment already making impact

Dr. Ayo Palmer, medical director Westfield Clinic shows pieces of medical equipment to Mr. Hideya Sato, first secretary Embassy of Japan in Senegal during a tour of equipment (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Oct. 2016

Award-Winning Film Scholar Becomes First Gambian To Run For Elections in Germany

On 17 September 2016, Piratenpartei's Parliamentary candidate Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu joined the national solidarity action against UNFAIR global trade (Photo Credit: Sankanu/Facebook)

GIABA: Saly Forum Tackles Emerging Anti-Money Laundering Issues In West Africa

President of ECOWAS Commission, HE Marcel Alain de Souza (middle) flanked by Director General of GIABA, HE Mr. Adama Coulibaly (left) and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, HE Mustapha Cisse Lo (right) and other participants at the “Regional Stakeholders Forum on Emerging Global AML/CFT Issues and Implications for GIABA Member States” in Saly, Senegal (Tuesday 16 – Thursday 18 August 2016)

Governor Puye Tells Youth: Seek Funding And You Will be Assisted

Governor Puye said the youth should  to take up entrepreneurship (Photo Credit MSJoof/TNBES/July2016)

Top Academic Journal Publishes Sankanu’s Article on Frantz Fanon, African Cinema

Prince Sankanu speaks to Modou S. Joof, publisher of The North Bank Evening Standard, on his film project (photo: MENjie/2012)

Gambia: GIABA to Assist Financial Institutions on ML/TF Risk Assessment

The anti-money laundering agency, GIABA, has said it is to assist financial institutions in The Gambia to effectively address existing challenges and new requirements emerging from the revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Standards and the new methodology.

This will include Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) risk assessment and application of risk-based approach to the anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) implementation.

GIABA announced on Friday that it will hold a 3-day national workshop on ML and TF risk assessment for financial institutions and Designated Non-Financial Institutions Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in Banjul from July 27-29, 2016.

GIABA to Sensitize Gambian Youths on Ills of Money Laundering, Financing Terrorism

Cross section of participants at the 7th edition of the GIABA Open House Forum in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 2013 (Photo Credit: GIABA)

South Sudan: Rights Body Says Can't Consider Communications Against African Country

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July, 2011 but internal fighting is standing in the way of the country's progress and brought about widespread human rights abuses, according to agencies. (Photo taken from BBC)

Gambia Lacks Minimum Standards To Eliminate Human Trafficking - Report

In West Africa, traffickers pose as Koranic school teachers and force young students to beg for food and money instead of allowing them to gain an education. In Europe, traffickers subject children—including Roma and disabled children—to forced begging. In South Asia, some traffickers maim children before subjecting them to forced begging to increase the children’s profits. (Photo taken from TIP 2016)

Hundreds Pay Last Respect to Legendary Broadcaster, George Christensen

Mr. Christensen was known to be an ardent advocate for press freedom and freedom of expression and had endured burns and questioning in attacks including arson on his radio. Photo Credit: M.S.Joof/FPI/TNBES

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the late George Christensen‘s house and attended a church service in Fajara on Friday to pay their last respect to the legendary broadcast journalist.

Mr. Christensen, 64, died on June 3, 2016 when he returned to Banjul after attending the second ‘International Civil Society Forum on The Gambia’ in Dakar, Senegal ahead of the ECOWAS Summit.

Local journalists in Banjul say his death is a “big loss” and has brought “sad times” for the Gambian media.

His coffin was covered with a white piece of cloth that carried his name, age, a logo of The Gambia Press Union and the inscription: “Defender of Freedom of Expression.”

Ecowas Says Using Social Media to Attain Regional Integration

The sub-regional economic bloc, Ecowas, says it is now using social media platforms to reach a wider audience, increase awareness among Ecowas citizens and to attain regional integration.

For the first time since the Ecowas Commission was established in 1975, in April 2015 it opened accounts on Facebook (Ecowas_Cedeao), Twitter (@ecowas_cedeao), and YouTube (ECOWAS_CEDEAO).

The Commission also uses parallel media – print media, broadcast and online media simultaneously – to work towards achieving an “Ecowas of the People” and Vision 2020, the director of the Communication’s Directorate, Sandra Oulate F. Elleingand said.

Gambian Media Mourns Death of Legendary Broadcaster, George Christensen

George at Civil Society Forum (Photo credit: Sainey MK Marenah)

Local journalists in Banjul have described the death of Mr. George Christensen, the founder and proprietor of Radio 1 FM as “a big loss and a sad day for The Gambian media.”

Mr. Christensen, 64, died on June 3, 2016 when he returned to Banjul after attending the second ‘International Civil Society Forum on The Gambia’ in Dakar, Senegal ahead of the ECOWAS Summit. 

The veteran radio journalist, commonly referred to as Uncle George by young journalists, trained some of the finest journalists, and bloggers in The Gambia – some of whom owned radio stations and online multimedia news outlets.  

Ecowas Encourages Gambia to Initiate Reform for Free, Credible Elections

Photo Credit: Ecowas/Facebook

Ecowas Heads of State and Government on Saturday encourage the Gambian Government and Parliament to initiate the “requisite reforms” for the conduct of inclusive, free and credible elections.

They also commend Gambia’s political stakeholders for the signing, on 20 April 2016, of an agreement to hold free elections.

In a final communiqué at the end of the 49^th ordinary session on 4 June 2016 in Dakar, Senegal, Ecowas leaders urge the security forces in Gambia to refrain from the use of excessive force against the citizens and adopt a responsible approach.

‘Outstanding’ Gambian Insurer, Henry Jawo, Retires

The Insurance Association of The Gambia (IAG) last week bade farewell to retiring insurance professional Henry M. Jawo who has been hailed as “outstanding”.

Mr. Jawo retires as secretary general at the permanent secretariat of the IAG where he has been working from 2000 to 2016. 

A trained-teacher for 15 years and a former school headmaster, Jawo joined the insurance industry in The Gambia in 1985 when he was appointed branch supervisor at Senegambia Insurance Company.

Global Mission’s Concert for Gambia to Raise Funds for Juffureh

The concert is meant to seek donations (in cash and labor) to help build a chicken farm for sustainable agriculture for Juffureh (Photo provided by Global Mission Society)

Brikamaba: Women Turn to Gardens After Failed Rice Growing Season

After a failed rice-growing season, women turn to gardens in Brikamaba, CRR (Photo by M.S. Joof/TNBES)

Some three hundred and ten women in Brikamaba, Lower Fulladu West of the Central River Region (CRR) have turned to gardening to fight off food security threats after a failed rice-growing season.

More than five hundred women and their families, 282 kilometers from the Gambian capital, Banjul, saw their rice fields completely destroyed by floods following torrential rains between July and September in 2015, the villagers told TNBES on Friday.