AGP Executive Report

Injuries Hit Scorpions Call-Ups: Abdoulie Ceesay and Jesper Ceesay have been omitted from The Gambia senior national squad after medical updates from St. Pauli and Antalyaspor; head coach Johnathan McKinstry has replaced them with Bubacarr Tambedou (Levadia Tallinn) and Karamba Gassama (Gaziantep), who are expected to report to camp. Sexual Violence Justice: A man has been sentenced to life in prison for raping a four-year-old girl, with the court ruling the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Health System Pressure: EFSTH continues to face public concern over mortuary identification and hospital fees, while EFSTH leaders defend consultation charges as necessary for sustainability. Education & Capacity: University of Education The Gambia launched its first degree programmes, and a regional clean mini-grid training-of-trainers workshop is underway at VRA Academy in Akuse. Rights & Inclusion: GADHOH warns deaf Gambians are still excluded due to weak sign language access, and Equality Now calls for stronger African laws on sexual violence and women’s rights.

Roads and rural access: President Adama Barrow has kept up his “Connect Gambia” push, laying the foundation for a 20.5km road in Niamina after decades of delays, with residents linking the project to easier farm access, faster ambulance routes, and lower transport costs. Cross-border security and trade: Nigeria is set to help launch the AU’s combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea, while ECOWAS is deepening cross-border cooperation to tackle terrorism and cross-border crime—Gambia is listed among countries already joining. Sports diplomacy: TOLAC 2026 wrapped with a MoU between the Gambia and Spain’s Canary Islands wrestling federations, aimed at youth development and technical exchange. Health system pressure: EFSTH is again urging families to identify remains at the mortuary, highlighting the ongoing strain of unclaimed bodies and the human cost of no closure. Inclusion warning: GADHOH says deaf Gambians are still being left behind because sign language access and trained interpreters remain weak. Education boost: The University of Education The Gambia has unveiled its first-ever degree programmes.

EFSTH Mortuary Appeal: Families are being urged to identify remains at the hospital mortuary, as unclaimed bodies and slow identification continue to leave grief without closure. Roads for Health Access: President Barrow laid foundation stones for neglected Choya–Dankunku and other CRR North road links, with residents saying better roads mean faster ambulance access and safer movement during the rains. Deaf Inclusion Push: GADHOH warns that lack of sign language access keeps deaf Gambians trapped in poverty, with schools and public services still missing interpreters and support. Health Costs Debate: EFSTH defended its consultation fee increase from D25 to D100, saying the payment also covers medicines when available—aimed at keeping services sustainable. Community Learning Boost: The Hagie Gai Drammeh Foundation donated table tennis and school items to Gunjur SSS to encourage learning and sports participation. Justice System Scrutiny: A new piece argues The Gambia’s transitional justice process enriched institutions more than victims, raising fresh questions about fairness and reparations.

Gender Justice Push: Equality Now told the ACHPR in Banjul that many African countries still fail women and girls with weak rape laws, poor enforcement, and limited accountability—calling for real legal reforms on sexual violence, FGM, online safety, and discriminatory property rights. Health System Watch: EFSTH defended a contentious consultation fee rise from D25 to D100, saying the fee also covers medicines when available and is meant to keep public hospitals sustainable. Community Support: The PEI programme is enrolling vulnerable households across 12 districts, with selected families set to receive a D20,000 cash grant plus training and coaching. Public Health Risk: A new bread-selling study warns that open, dusty street sales remain widespread—despite very high public awareness of contamination risks. Infrastructure Momentum: President Barrow continues the Connect Gambia road drive, laying foundations for hundreds of kilometres to improve access to markets and health services. Education Upgrade: The University of Education The Gambia launched its first degree programmes, expanding teacher-focused and new science and education options.

Gender Justice Push: Equality Now urged African governments at the ACHPR to close legal gaps on sexual violence, FGM, online safety, reproductive healthcare, and discriminatory property rights—warning that commitments aren’t translating into protection or accountability. Health System Costs: EFSTH defended its consultation fee hike from D25 to D100, saying the fee also covers medicines when available and is meant to keep public care sustainable. Food Safety Alert: A Gambia bread-selling study says unsafe open-air practices remain widespread—despite very high public awareness of dust, flies, dirty hands, smoke, and poor hygiene risks. Community Support: A PEI project is enrolling vulnerable households across 12 districts, with cash grants plus training and coaching for small businesses. Infrastructure Momentum: President Barrow’s Connect Gambia drive continues with road foundations in CRR/URR, while a youth plea in CRR north calls for local firefighters as blaze risk rises. Crime & Violence: A Gambian-born woman in Edinburgh was killed by her husband, who received a life sentence.

Roads and rural access: President Adama Barrow is pushing ahead with “Connect Gambia” road works, including new launches in URR and CRR—promising faster travel to markets, health centres and schools, and urging peace ahead of elections. Medicines where shortages bite: Salifu Jaiteh has donated essential drugs to Fatoto District Hospital after a viral clip highlighted medicine gaps, with the handover aimed at easing patient suffering. Maternal nutrition gains: A global study reports that food-based prenatal supplements (energy and protein) are linked to better birth weights and fewer high-risk newborns across Africa and South Asia. Regional health capacity: Merck Foundation marks World Hypertension Day with scholarships and training support for healthcare providers across 52 countries, including programmes reaching underserved areas. Human rights watch: A new Gambia human rights report points to democratic improvements since 2017, but warns weak enforcement and corruption still undermine freedoms and accountability.

Maternal Nutrition Boost: A new George Mason University-led global study in PLOS Medicine links food-based prenatal supplements (energy and protein) with healthier birth weights and fewer high-risk newborns across Africa and South Asia. World Hypertension Day Push: Merck Foundation, with African and Asian First Ladies, marked World Hypertension Day by expanding access to diabetes and hypertension training, reporting nearly 1,000 scholarships and 2,600+ scholarships across 52 countries. Connect Gambia Roads: President Barrow is driving major rural connectivity, launching road projects including 85km in URR to link 22 remote settlements, plus wider plans for 1,500km of roads. School Meals for Nutrition: Vice President Jallow says USDA-backed school feeding is reaching 101,669 learners, with meals tied to education and long-term human capital. Governance and Rights Watch: A new Gambia human rights report credits democratic gains since 2017 but warns weak enforcement, corruption, and impunity still undermine rights and services. Regional Mobility: Togo announced visa-free entry for all African nationals for up to 30 days, with security and public health checks on arrival.

Security Crackdown: A new joint US–Nigerian strike in Borno’s Metele area killed more than 20 ISWAP militants, with AFRICOM saying no personnel were harmed and the goal is to disrupt insurgent networks. Drug Enforcement: In The Gambia, DLEAG reports multiple late-night drug arrests and seizures across several communities, including ecstasy, crack cocaine, cannabis, and diazepam/tramadol tablets. Infrastructure Push: President Adama Barrow launched major road works under the Connect Gambia initiative—781 km of all-weather roads planned, including 385 km in URR and 395 km in CRR—aimed at cutting transport costs and improving access to services. Health & Care: Cuba and The Gambia marked 30 years of health cooperation, citing hundreds of Cuban specialists and support for training at the University of The Gambia’s School of Medicine. Justice & Rights: Ghana renewed calls for accountability over the 2005 killings of migrants in The Gambia, while human rights voices at the ACHPR urged stronger protection for peaceful civic expression.

Roads Take Center Stage: President Adama Barrow launched the latest phase of the Connect Gambia initiative, starting with an 85km push in URR and CRR to link 22 remote communities—promising lower transport costs, fewer post-harvest losses, and better market access for farmers. Drug Crackdown: DLEAG reported fresh arrests and seizures across multiple communities, including suspected ecstasy, cocaine, hashish, cannabis, and diazepam/tramadol/oxazepam tablets. Justice Still Pending: A father of Omar Badjie says his family is still waiting for justice after his death during a controversial police operation in 2025. Internet Debate: Starlink’s future in The Gambia is being weighed against national security concerns, with critics also warning about economic risks. Health & Learning: Merck Foundation announced 124 media award winners across 32 countries, while school feeding coverage continues to expand with U.S.-backed support reaching tens of thousands of learners. Regional Spotlight: Ghana renewed talks with The Gambia on accountability for the 2005 killings of migrants.

Justice Push: Ghana renewed talks with The Gambia over accountability for the 2005 killing of migrants, including about 44 Ghanaians, after a boat landing near the country led to arrests and mass shootings and dumping in wells; Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the agenda also covers education, health, defence and support for Gambia’s foreign policy college. Health & Nutrition: Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow told the school feeding forum that meals are a “strategic investment,” citing the US-backed McGovern-Dole programme reaching 101,669 learners daily with hot meals in 186 schools, while USDA officials completed a week-long monitoring visit. Maternal Care Spotlight: Dr Fatoumatta Jarjusey highlighted the push for stronger women’s healthcare and locally trained specialists. Policy Pressure: The Gambia Nurses’ Day call and GFA’s health-system overhaul pledge both point to understaffing, medicine shortages and falling immunisation. Civic Rights: ACHPR’s Dr Idrissa Sow urged restraint and protection of peaceful civic expression amid recent GALA-related arrests.

Maternal & Child Health Shock: A newborn migrant baby girl died of hypothermia on Lampedusa shortly after landing, prompting an investigation and post-mortem to confirm the cause. Nutrition & Education Push: In The Gambia, the US-backed McGovern-Dole school feeding programme is reaching over 63,000 children daily, with USDA officials completing a week-long monitoring visit and discussing how to move toward nationally led, sustainable systems. Health System Pressure: The Gambia Federation of Nurses (GFA) marked Nurses’ Day by calling for a major overhaul—more staffing, medicines, and functioning equipment—warning that weak care and falling immunisation rates are driving preventable deaths. Women’s Health Spotlight: Dr Fatoumatta Jarjusey highlighted the need to strengthen women’s and reproductive healthcare, while a separate women’s rights advocacy push in Banjul focused on implementing the Maputo Protocol. Civic Rights & Safety: Human rights leaders urged restraint around recent GALA-related arrests, stressing peaceful assembly and due process.

Climate Diplomacy: African parliamentarians wrapped up a Nairobi seminar pledging a stronger, united continental voice on climate and methane talks, pushing for financing and targets that match Africa’s development and food-security realities. School Feeding Push: In The Gambia, Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow told a school meals forum the programme is a “strategic investment,” with US-backed USDA McGovern-Dole support feeding about 63,000 children daily and reaching most public schools. Health System Pressure: GFA marked Nurses’ Day by calling for a full health-system overhaul, citing understaffing, medicine shortages, falling immunisation, and a fragmented supply chain. Opioid Alarm: A major West Africa report warns Indian-made tapentadol is still flooding the region and may be feeding the “zombie drug” kush crisis. Migration Tragedy: On Lampedusa, a newborn migrant baby died of hypothermia after disembarking, prompting an investigation. Campus Tension: At UTG Kanifing, a student congress fight left three students injured.

India-Africa Forum Summit 2026: New Delhi will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, with senior and foreign ministers’ meetings set for May 28 and 29, under the theme IA-SPIRIT focused on innovation, resilience and inclusive transformation—continuing India’s long-running lines of credit and development projects across Africa. School Feeding Push: The government says it is targeting universal school meals by 2030, with the US-backed McGovern-Dole programme already feeding tens of thousands of children daily and serving millions of meals. Women’s Health Spotlight: Dr Fatoumatta Jarjusey renews the call for stronger maternal and reproductive care, while an arts-and-health gala links culture and wellbeing. Health System Pressure: The Gambia Federation of Nurses warns facilities are understaffed and medicine supply is failing, citing declining immunisation and past infant deaths. Civic Rights Tension: Human rights voices urge restraint and protection of peaceful assembly amid controversy around GALA-related arrests. Opioid Alarm: Reports say Indian tapentadol shipments are still reaching West Africa, fuelling a growing opioid crisis.

India-Africa Forum Summit 2026: New Delhi is set to host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, with senior officials meeting May 28 and foreign ministers May 29, under the theme IA-SPIRIT—aimed at deepening ties across politics, security, trade, development, culture, and people-to-people links, including India’s past lines of credit and completed projects. Women’s health spotlight: Dr. Fatoumatta Jarjusey shared her mission to strengthen maternal and reproductive care in The Gambia, reflecting a wider push for better women’s healthcare. School meals push: Government says it’s targeting universal school feeding by 2030, backed by the US USDA McGovern-Dole programme feeding tens of thousands of pupils daily. Health system pressure: GFA renewed calls for a major health overhaul, citing understaffing, medicine shortages, and falling immunisation. Civic rights debate: Rights groups and officials continue urging restraint and dialogue amid recent arrests tied to activism. Opioids warning: A major regional report flags Indian-made tapentadol fuelling West Africa’s opioid crisis, including links to “kush.”

Maternal care spotlight: Dr Fatoumatta Jarjusey says her mission is to strengthen women’s and children’s healthcare in The Gambia, sharing her path into obstetrics and gynaecology and her push for a system built around dignity and survival. School feeding push: Vice President Muhammad B.S. Jallow told the National School Feeding Forum that meals are a “strategic investment,” citing the USDA McGovern-Dole programme reaching 101,669 learners daily meals in 186 schools, with sustainability and local procurement at the core. Health system pressure: GFA marks Nurses’ Day by calling for an overhaul—more staff, medicines, equipment, and a restored drug supply system—warning that weak care and declining immunisation are costing lives. Rights and civic space: Dr Kingsley Agyemang urges stronger human rights education across Africa, while Dr Ceesay distances Barrow from GALA-linked arrests, calling them a public order issue. Safety concerns: Police investigate the death of a 24-year-old Guinean found inside a mosque in Manjai Kunda.

Health System Pressure: The Gambia Nurses’ Day message from the GFA is blunt: facilities are understaffed, medicines and equipment are missing, immunisation is slipping, and drug supply is fragmented—calling for a full health-system overhaul, including restoring the National Drug Revolving Fund and reversing immunisation decline within a year. Rights & Civic Space: Dr. Kingsley Agyemang urged stronger human-rights education across Africa, arguing that preventable disease deaths, unsafe roads, and poor water access are human-rights failures too. US School Feeding Check: USDA officials wrapped a week-long monitoring visit to the McGovern-Dole school feeding programme, citing 63,000 children fed daily and 17.7 million meals served, with a push for local procurement. Student Tensions: At UTG Kanifing Campus, clashes during a students’ congress left three students injured, prompting calls for tighter election-day order. Public Safety Incident: Police opened an investigation after a 24-year-old Guinean man was found dead inside a Manjai Kunda mosque. Human Rights Advocacy: ACHPR-linked groups launched a women’s rights advocacy framework in Banjul, pushing stronger implementation of the Maputo Protocol.