Gainako Online Newspaper

28/02/2024

📰 WAVE Engages Victims on SAM and SPO Bills to Progress TRRC Recommendations

More in this report about the SAM and SPO Bills.

By Yusef Taylor, As part of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) mantra of “Never Again” and the principle of non-reoccurrence, perpetrators w…

28/02/2024

📰 Central Bank: Headline Inflation Declined to 16.2% in January 2024

Headline Inflation is the total inflation in an economy including commodities such as food and energy prices, which tend to be more volatile and prone to inflationary spikes. It is different from core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices.

The Central Bank of The Gambia's Monetary Policy Committee issued a press release yesterday highlighting that "Inflation declined for the second consecutive month, reflecting the impact of the moderating global commodity prices and domestic policy actions. In January 2024, headline inflation declined to 16.2 per cent, down from 17.2 per cent in December and from the peak of 18.5 per cent in September 2023".

"The decline in inflation is mainly attributed to the decrease in food components of the CPI basket as food prices continue to ease globally, supported by good cropping season. Going forward, should the easing of global commodity prices and domestic supply conditions improve, inflation is expected to fall within single digits by the end of 2024".

More in the press release below.



https://gainako.com/food-inflation-declined-to-21-in-december-while-inflation-declined-to-16-2-in-january/

28/02/2024

📰 Central Bank: Food Inflation Declined to 21% in December 2023

Food Inflation refers to the rise in the price of food commodities. According to Unacademy "it is a dynamic concept. The increase in production labour and transportation costs, population and climate changes, hoarding of food products, and land exploitation cause food Inflation".

According to Central Bank of The Gambia's Monetary Policy Committee press release issued yesterday "food inflation decreased to 21.0 per cent in December 2023, from 23.8 per cent in October 2023 and 24.9 per cent recorded in June 2023".

"The decline in food inflation was on account of a significant deceleration in the prices of bread and cereals, meat, and vegetables" said Central Bank Governor Buah Saidy.

More in the statement issued yesterday.



https://gainako.com/food-inflation-declined-to-21-in-december-while-inflation-declined-to-16-2-in-january/

28/02/2024

📰 Central Bank: Food Inflation Declined to 21% in December While Inflation Declined to 16.2% in January

More in the press release from Central Bank of The Gambia's Monetary Policy Committee.

By Central Bank of The Gambia, Monetary Policy Committee, 27th February 2024 The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) convened on February 26 and 27, 2024. The Co…

27/02/2024

📰 Breaking: President Sall's National Dialogue Proposes 2nd June 2024 for Presidential Elections

By Amadou Barry reporting from Senegal

Senegal, the election date has been set for 2nd June 2024 as a proposal from the national dialogue handed over today.

This will allow the country to go to the polls before the rainy season. The dialogue has proposed also to maintain the incumbent President (Macky Sall) in power till the election of his successor.

President Macky Sall's term is ending on 2nd April 2024.

Editor's note:
After the Constitutional Council's ruling some weeks back to hold elections as soon as possible and before the end of President Macky Sall's term, the incumbent President promised to hold Presidential Elections before his term expires on 2nd April 2024.

This decision from President Macky Sall's National Dialogue now goes against the Constitutional Council's ruling and his own promise to comply with the Constitutional Council's ruling.

Our medium has been informed that this is just a proposal at this stage which needs to be confirmed through an announcement by the Chief of Staff. In addition to this we understand that few stakeholders attended the dialogue so there is a chance that the date may be revised to comply with the Constitutional Council's ruling.

25/02/2024

📸📰 Fama’s Lounge Grand Opening at Kemoson Square in Soma, LRR

Gambian Diasporan Mr Baba Darboe hosted a vibrant grand opening for Fama’s Lounge and Catering Services at Soma, Lower River Region yesterday 24th February 2024.

The launching which was moderated by Gambian Diasporan Momodou B Krubally featured key note speeches from the Chairperson of Mansakonko Area Council Landing B Sanneh and Entrepreneur Mr Baba Darboe amongst others. The audience were seranded with a musical performance from Jali Madi Kanuteh and his band.

Mr Darboe who originates from Pakaliba currently resides in the United States and owns money transfer financial services Kemoson. The restaurant is housed in Kemoson Square which features conference rooms, apartments and other amenities on the second and third floors.

In addition to the newly launched Fama’s Lounge, the three story Kemoson Square houses Bayba Financial Services, AFIA Financial Services and ABCT Drug Store and space for more businesses.

Speaking at the launch of Fama's Lounge Mr Darboe told dignitaries “we are here today to pay some kind of homage to the woman, the person that saves me more than I can ever express. That is the woman of my life and the love of my life and that’s Fatoumata Sidibe. We have named the restaurant after Fatma and that’s why we are here today”.

“She has been the bedrock of this family and everything that I am partly able to do. I hear you guys saying Baba, Baba but behind Baba there is an outstanding woman of few words and that’s Fatma Sidibe”, said Mr Darboe.

Here are some photos from the launch.

24/02/2024

📰 Excellent Analysis by Dr. Gagigo Debunking President Barrow’s Claims of Agricultural and Infrastructural Development

Top economist, Dr Ousman Gajigo, has said President Barrow's claims of achievements registered by his government in the areas of agriculture and

24/02/2024

📹 Live: The Cypher 2024 February Edition - Open Mic

23/02/2024

📸📰 OIC Summit to Finally Take Place in The Gambia in Early May 2024

1. The activities will start with a Senior Officials Meeting from 30th April to 1st May,
2. Followed by a Council of Foreign Ministers from the 2nd to the 3rd May 2024,
3. The main plenary meeting of the OIC Leaders will take place from 4th to 5th May 2024.

With regards to accommodation, OIC Branding and Communications Officer Mr Nfally Fadera revealed that the construction of a Five Star Hotel in Bijilo which should have provided accommodation for dignitaries will not be completed in time for the summit. Instead, the OIC Secretariat will be working with existing hotels in the country to improve their services to dignitaries.

More in the link.



https://gainako.com/oic-summit-to-finally-take-place-in-the-gambia-in-early-may-2024/

23/02/2024

📰 OIC Summit to Finally Take Place in The Gambia in Early May 2024

By Yusef Taylor, The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit which has been postponed at least twice will finally take place in The Gambia from 4th to 5th May 2024. The summit …

23/02/2024

📰 The Gambia Fails to Replace Century Old Lunatics Act after AU Commission Recommendation

More about the dangerously outdated Lunatics Detention Act and how it should have been replaced since an AU Commission recommendation issued over two decades ago.

By Edward Francis Dalliah The Lunatics Detention Act currently being used in The Gambia is over 100 years old and dates back to the colonial era. Back in 2003, the African Union Commission recommen…

22/02/2024

📸 Lunatics Act and Draft Mental Health Bill Discussed by MoH and the Press

The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) hosted a half day orientation for media practitioners on Mental Health and relevant legislation at the CIAM conference hall in Kanifing, today 22nd February 2024.

Speaking at the opening session, Program Manager Mam Jarra Marega who is also a Mental Health Nurse highlighted that The Gambia is still using the outdated 1917 Lunatic Act which is limited to regulating the treatment of "lunatics".

To hopefully address these gaps, program Manager Ms Marega revealed that a draft Mental Health Bill is being developed which will cover the rights of persons with mental illness and Mental Health Workers as well.

In fact, the word lunatic is no longer in keeping with the profession which now uses words like mental illness, mild mental illness to severe mental illness to describe people suffering from mental illness.

The Gambia suffers from a shortage of mental health treatment centers with the well known Tanka Tanka currently over capacity. Meanwhile, many people suffering from mental illness roam the streets.

21/02/2024

📰 Only 38% of President Barrow’s First Development Plan Achieved

More in the publication.

By Yusef Taylor, The National Development Plan (NDP) is the Government’s roadmap to promote national development, with many such roadmaps promulgated by various governments from Preside…

19/02/2024

📸 SALBIA Project Kicks Off Today at the UTG

Researchers from the SALBIA Project kickstarted a 3 years initiative funded by the Spanish Government today 19th February 2024 at the University of The Gambia's Peace Building.

The project aims "to assess the impacts of salinization on the socio-ecological system of the river Gambia. The main aim of SALBIA is to assess the ecological (i.e. biological communities and biogeochemical function) and social (i.e. benefits obtained from nature, social structure and well-being) impacts of salinization in the River Gambia".

SALBIA is coined from SALinization and the last three letters from the word GamBIA. Salinization is the process where salt accumulates in the soil which can hinder the growth of crops.

According to their brief "the project includes a combination of local (e.g. The Great Institute, The University of The Gambia, WABSA) and European institutions, and it has a strong capacity-building component that could serve to strengthen current environmental monitoring and conservation plans".

19/02/2024

19/02/2024

📹 Independence Day Reflection Program - Introduction

Podcast on the historical significance of the Independence Struggle and it's main objectives featuring Muhammed MS's Bah.

Proudly supported by Gambian Civil Society actors.

W-A-N-E-P African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies

17/02/2024

📰 Senegal’s President Sall Promises to Hold Elections Before Term Expires

By Yusef Taylor, A statement published by Senegal’s embattled President Macky Sall yesterday 16th February 2024 highlights that he “will without delay conduct the necessary consultation…