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Government officials and disability-rights advocates have renewed calls for strict enforcement of The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021, as nationwide sensitisation sessions begin across the regions. The engagements—led by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD)—kicked off on 13 November at the GOVI Resource Centre in Kanifing, and continued the following day in Brikama. Sessions in the remaining regions begin Monday, 17 November. His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Chairman of the Advisory Council and the country’s only visually impaired magistrate, said the sensitisation is funded through the National Disability Fund, as required under the Act. He urged institutions and communities to comply fully with the law. Enforcement Now Active Principal Social Welfare Officer Modou Suwareh reminded participants that the Act’s two-year transition period ended between 2023 and 2024, activating full enfo...

The Chairman of both the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD) has underscored the significance of The Gambia’s disability legislation and the core principles guiding disability inclusion during a sensitisation session held at Saama Kairo Foundation Hall in Brikama Kabafita, West Coast as part of the Council's regional sensetisation on the implementation of the Person with Disabilities Act, 2021. Speaking at the event on 14 November 2025, Chairman Krubally said the activity was organised by the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities established under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021, a law that provides the legal foundation for promoting, protecting, and monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities in the country. He noted that while the Act is not itself a disability policy, it creates a specialised body composed of representatives mandated to oversee the implementation of th...

Stakeholders from the disability community, representing various organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and government ministries, on Thursday gathered at the Gambia Organisation for the Visually Impaired (GOVI) Resource Centre in Kanifing for a sensitisation meeting on the implementation and enforcement of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021. The event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPWD), aimed to update participants on progress made in enforcing the Act and to discuss challenges encountered since its enactment. Speaking at the opening, Mr. Modou Suwareh, Principal Social Welfare Officer representing the Ministry, said the forum was convened to engage stakeholders on practical measures taken to implement the Disability Act. He reminded participants that the Ministry serves as the custodian of the Act and is responsible for coordinating and supervising its imp...

Jarra Soma, Lower River Region (LRR) – November 6, 2025: The Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI) has commemorated this year’s World White Cane Safety Day with a call for greater inclusion and respect for the rights of persons who are visually impaired in all sectors of society. The annual observance, officially marked globally on October 15, was celebrated by GOVI in Jarra Soma, Lower River Region, on November 6 due to resource and logistical challenges. The event brought together local authorities, community leaders, women’s groups, students, and representatives from all ten GOVI branches across the country. In an interview with Mr. Lamin Colley, Executive Director of GOVI, described the white cane as a “symbol of independence, pride, and dignity” for visually impaired persons. He explained that World White Cane Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the independence and safety of cane users, and to remind motorists, pedes...

The Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI) is championing the rights, education, and empowerment of persons with visual impairments across the country. Founded in 1991 through the merger of the Gambia Society for the Blind and the Gambia Association of the Blind, GOVI has since grown into a nationwide network run entirely by visually impaired Gambians themselves. “We are a national organisation with ten branches across the country and over 2,000 registered members,” said Lamin Colley, Executive Director of GOVI. “We also support more than 600 children who are beneficiaries of our programs.” At the heart of GOVI’s work lies education and rehabilitation. The organisation operates the only special school for the blind in The Gambia, located in Kanifing. The school caters to children from nursery through grade six before integrating them into mainstream education with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. “Currently, we have over 50 students enrolled. Education i...

9 October 2025: The Gambia Government officials, United Nations agencies, and civil society partners have reaffirmed their commitment to consolidating peace and national reconciliation during the third-quarter (Q3) Technical Committee meeting of the Infrastructure for Peace (I4P) Project, held at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Cape Point, Bakau.. Mr. Baboucarr Trawally, Project Manager at ITC chaired the meeting, which brought together representatives from the Ministry of Interior, UNDP, the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), and other stakeholders from the civil society organisations, including the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) to review project progress, challenges, and priorities for the final quarter of the year. In his opening remarks, Mr. Trawally said the gathering was aimed at sharing updates on the achievements of the I4P project and aligning strategies to strengthen social cohesion and stability across the country. Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Mr. Jira Mansare commended the Gov...

Photo Source: Mr Baboucar Trawally, ITC Project Manager: Deputy PS Lamin Gassama highlights progress on peacebuilding and TRRC reforms at I4P Technical Committee meeting in Bakau. Tags: #GambiaPeace #UNDP #TRRC #PeaceAndReconciliation #Governance #InteriorMinistry #I4P Cape Point, BAKAU, The Gambia — October 9, 2025: Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Lamin Gassama, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to peacebuilding and reconciliation during the Infrastructure for Peace (I4P) Technical Committee meeting held at Ocean Bay Hotel, Bakau. The meeting, organised with support from UNDP, brought together members of the Technical Working Group and key stakeholders to review project achievements for the third quarter and outline upcoming activities for Q4 2025. “Our collective presence here reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable peace infrastructure in The Gambia,” Gassama said. He commended UNDP and the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) for their conti...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Hon. Madi MK Ceesay, Member of Parliament for Serekunda West representing the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has reaffirmed the commitment to continue efforts within The Gambia’s National Assembly to review and reform the controversial Public Order Act. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to repeal or amend the legislation, Hon. Ceesay emphasised that the campaign to revisit the law remains active amid growing concerns about its impact on fundamental rights. The Public Order Act, initially enacted decades ago and subsequently amended in 1963 and 2009, has faced constant criticism. Many deem it unconstitutional due to its restrictions on public assembly, despite a 2017 Supreme Court ruling upholding its legality—one that determined police permits for public processions under Section 5 are reasonable limitations on freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. Hon. Ceesay argued that peaceful protest is constitut...

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SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: On 2 October 2025, Mr. Karl-Frederick Paul, United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, addressed a collaborative forum on security sector laws and policies, emphasizing the country’s journey toward Security Sector Reform (SSR) as a vital part of its transitional justice process. Representing the UN, Mr. Paul highlighted that the SSR initiative aims to build security institutions that are accountable, effective, gender-responsive, and deeply committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and fostering public trust. The UN, through the Peacebuilding Fund, is actively supporting this work via the project “Sustaining The Gambia’s Peaceful Transition by Supporting the Implementation of the Security Sector Reform Strategy.” This joint effort by UNDP, OHCHR, and UNODC works in partnership with the Gambian government and various stakeholders including civil society organizations. Mr. Paul underscore...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: On 2 and 3 October 2025, The Gambia convened a high-level forum focused on advancing its Security Sector Reform (SSR) through an in-depth review of security sector laws and policies. Supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNDP, OHCHR, and UNODC, the forum brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society, academia, and media representatives to strengthen knowledge, coordination, and partnerships on SSR. The comprehensive reform effort seeks to transform Gambia’s security institutions into accountable, professional, and people-centered entities that uphold the rule of law, safeguard human rights, and rebuild public trust—foundations essential for the country’s sustained peace and democratic governance following the 2017 political transition. United Nations Resident Coordinator Karl-Frédérick Paul lauded the Gambian government’s progress, including the recent passage of the Nationa...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has called on government and stakeholders to prioritise disability inclusion in the ongoing Security Sector Reform (SSR) process. Below is my presentation on behalf of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) during Panel Discussion at the first day of the Security Sector Reform- SSR Forum organised by the UNDP in partnership with UNODC, UN OHCHR and the Gambia Government held at the Ocean Bay Hotel on 2-3 October 2025. Introduction Good afternoon, everyone. I represent the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), an organisation committed to advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Gambian society. My task is to highlight the importance of integrating disability inclusion into security sector reforms. Inclusive security sector reform ensures that security institutions are accessible, equitable, and protective towards all citizens,...

SSR Forum Photo Source: Ms. Emi Leung - UNDP Governance Officer: Dr. Luqman Saka, Associate Professor Department of Political Science of the University of The Gambia has underscored the central role of civil society in driving meaningful and inclusive Security Sector Reform (SSR), describing it as vital to rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic governance in post-transition Gambia. Delivering a presentation on “Civil Society and Security Sector Reform in The Gambia: Highlighting Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities' (CRPD’s) Role in Advocacy and Policy Engagement”, Prof. Luqman outlined how SSR, launched after the 2016 political transition, aims to transform the country’s security institutions—from instruments of oppression into professional, accountable services that protect citizens’ rights. He made these remarks during the stakeholders Security Sector Reforms Forum organised by the UNDP at the Ocean Baye Hotel in Bakau on 2 and 3 October 202...

22 to 26 September 2025 – A comprehensive data collection guide developed to support the implementation of the Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology and Play project in The Gambia was unveiled during EU funded project training facilitated by CRS in collaboration with the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD). Mohammed Jebou, Lead Researcher presenting during Enumerators’ training organised by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), funded by the European Union (EU) said the guide outlines the methodology and tools that will be used to conduct a census across 12 project schools. The project is part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive education through evidence-based assessment. Mr Jebou explained that the guide recommends a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, classroom and school environment observations, focus group discussions with students, and interviews with parents, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Association rep...

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has begun training enumerators as part of its new project, “Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology and Play”. The training focuses on equipping data collectors to conduct a comprehensive Gender and Disability Audit and baseline survey in schools. CRS said the audit is a multidimensional, structured, and participatory assessment that measures how institutions address gender equality and disability inclusion in policies, programs, budgets, and practices. The exercise will help identify gaps, document good practices, and generate recommendations to improve inclusivity in The Gambia’s education system. The audit will assess issues such as gender-sensitive teaching methods, school infrastructure, physical accessibility, use of assistive devices, and attitudes toward people with disabilities. It will also examine challenges such as gender-based violence in schools, biases in classro...

Made in Gambia – Building a Creative, Sustainable Future ; – Driving Jobs, Exports, and National Pride The Gambia’s *Made in Gambia* brand is gaining momentum, thanks to the EU-funded **Youth Empowerment Project (YEP)** and the International Trade Centre (ITC). The initiative is designed to strengthen local industries, boost exports, and make Gambian products more competitive at home and abroad. At a week-long workshop in Banjul (September 16–23, 2025), ITC consultant **Dev Chamroo** outlined five strategic priorities for the initiative: improving laws and regulations, creating an enabling business climate, expanding market access, driving advocacy campaigns, and mainstreaming ICT. Target sectors include agro-processing (cereals, beverages, spices), creative industries (fashion, music, film, textiles), and services such as tourism, fintech, and e-commerce. Women, youth, and SMEs are at the heart of the project. “With the right collaboration and supportive policies, the *Made in ...

Farafenni – Mr. Lamin Fatajo, retired director from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, delivered a compelling presentation emphasising the critical importance of disability inclusion in national policies and strategies. He highlighted that disability inclusion means intentionally integrating the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities in policy design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure equitable access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation. Mr. Fatajo's mde these remarks while presenting a paper on Disability Inclusion in Policies and Strategies during a multi stakeholders forum on the inclusion of persons with disabilities into policies held at the Wallimann Hotel in Farafenni, North Bank Region, from 21 to 22 August 2025. Mr. Fatajo outlined three key models of disability, namely - The Charity Model, criticized for promoting dependency; The Medical Model, which overlooks social barriers; and The Social Model, advocating ba...

Farafenni, North Bank Region – The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), in partnership with ChildFund The Gambia, convened a two-day forum on August 21-22, 2025 at Wallymann Hotel to review and advance disability rights, focusing on policy gaps and legislative reforms. The forum brought together government officials, community leaders, disability advocates, and policy experts, including the Alkalo and District Chief of Farafenni. It was moderated by Mr. Sainey Camara, Executive Director of GFD, with participation from Mr. Sunkung Danso of ChildFund The Gambia. In his keynote address, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Chairperson of GFD and Principal Magistrate of Banjul Magistrate’s Court, stated: "Our principles must be explained, respected, promoted, and protected. They cannot be compromised." He emphasized the need to align the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to ensure comprehensive i...

18–19 July 2025 | Mansa Wally Lodge, Pakalinding, Lower River Region, The Gambia The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), with financial support through ChildFund The Gambia, convened a two-day seminar aimed at integrating disability inclusion into disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities. This event, hosted at Mansa Wally Lodge, Pakalinding, emphasized strengthening disability in all disaster risks programs. Opening & Presentations Baboucarr Ceesay NDMA's Director of Operations introduced the agency’s organisational structure, governance mechanisms, and funding frameworks. He outlined how disaster management currently operates in The Gambia and set the context for integrating disability considerations. His assistant presenter covered assessment procedures, highlighting the importance of adapting these processes for inclusivity. It was noted at the outset that disasters do not affect everyone equally: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are disproportionately impacted...