Shape International

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...

To avoid retaliation from military authorities, critical voices in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Guinea are increasingly forced into silence. A climate of fear prevails, with prominent figures choosing discretion over outspokenness in the face of repression. Across these four countries, military regimes are tightening their grip on power through systematic crackdowns on press freedom and freedom of expression. This Week in the Sahel puts the spotlight back on the shrinking civic space and the fragility of free expression under military rule. In this edition, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) dissects recent developments that illustrate the region’s growing drift from democratic norms and civic liberties. In Mali, the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) on July 2, 2025, allocated 94 radio and 14 television licenses without consultation with stakeholders such as the Maison de la Presse or professional media organisations. Many of the awarded frequencies reportedly went...

On 17 July 2025, the Network of Tax and Financial Reporters (NTFR), in partnership with the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), held a one-day media sensitisation training at the NaNA Conference Centre, Bertil Hardin Highway, The Gambia. The event attracted 50 media practitioners and 15 SSHFC staff and aimed at improving understanding of SSHFC's operations, recent digital initiatives, and their role in social protection and financial security. The event featured an opening ceremony and presentations by SSHFC staff, followed by a Q&A and recommendations session. Key dignitaries included Mr. Alieu Ceesay (Gambia Press Union), Mr. Musa Sheriff (Publisher, Voice Newspaper), and Mr. Fabuka Nyaay (SSHFC Director of Corperate Affairs, representing the SSHFC Director). Other presenters and contributers included Ebrima Faye- Documentation Manager, Amadou Badjie- Benefit Manager, Fatou Lobbeh Dibba-SSHFCEstate Manager, and Mr John Zack- Customer Care Supervisor d...

By Frederic Tendeng of The Gambia Journal Gambiaj.com - (Banjul, The Gambia) - In a landmark move to advance justice for crimes committed under the regime of exiled former President Yahya Jammeh, The government of The Gambia has launched an international recruitment campaign to appoint a Special Prosecutor, a Deputy Special Prosecutor, and a Head of the investigations division. These roles will form the core leadership of the long-anticipated Special Tribunal established to prosecute the most serious crimes committed between 1994 and 2017. This strategic development marks a turning point in the country's transitional justice efforts, transitioning from symbolic steps to operational readiness. The recruitment of these three key officials is intended to lay the institutional foundation for the tribunal, which follows the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The TRRC identified former President Jammeh and over 60 officials as bearing r...

Amnesty International call for action to end sexual violence in Sudan. Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Sudan finds that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has inflicted widespread sexual violence on women and girls, some as young as 15, throughout Sudan’s two-year civil war to humiliate, assert control and displace communities across the country. Amnesty International states: "Our research also found that none of the survivors of sexual violence interviewed for this report had access to post rape-care services or reported the cases to authorities. It was difficult for them to access health facilities and the police because of the ongoing fighting, and they also feared stigmatization and reprisals.]" “I want the whole world to know about the suffering of Sudanese women and girls and ensure that all the bad men who raped us are punished”, said Suhair, a survivor in a refugee settlement in Uganda, according to AI. AI states in an email message circular that the survivor...

In drives to present a comprehensive review of its progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while fostering partnerships and strengthening its institutional capacity for sustainable development officials of the Ministry of Finance recently organised a day sensitisation seminar for disabled peoples’ organisation under the purview of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) . The event is also part of efforts to mainstream disabilities in The Gambia in line with the National Disability Act which among others requires inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of development. However during discussions persons with disabilities observed that their conditions has not improved, and has ironically deteriorated, hence calling for more recognition and improved conditions of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Participants at the seminar held at the GOVI Resource centre in Kanifing noted that addressing health needs for PWDs is...

Friday 21 March 2025 Vision Development Foundation (VDF) extended their philanthropist gestures to members of the security forces and various Gambian communities, in maintaining the Islamic norms and virtues of Ramadan which allows us to feel the pain of brothers and sisters who live in poverty and cannot afford even the very basic human needs. Momnodou Turop Darboe- VDF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in his remarks unveiled that a total of 5496 bags of Sugar in 10 Kilos was to be distributed last Friday during the handing over ceremony at the VDF Office in Churchill's Town,Serekunda, as part of their annual Ramadan Sugar and other relief food items donations to communities from various parts of The Gambia. He added that 2250 Kilograms of diabettes Sugar was also to be distributed on Friday evening, adding that beneficiaries includes: the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF)- 1100, Gambia Police Force- a combination of different Police Units- 511, The Gambia Fire and Rescue Services, Pri...

div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Vision Development Foundation yesterday, Tuesday handed over 3,689 bags of sugar in 10 Kilos as part of their annual Ramadan Gifts donations to needy communities in The Gambia, conducted in an exemplary leadership style coordinated by Momodou Turo Darboe- VDF CEO, who is leading by example in supporting Muslims during Ramadan as required by Islam. Last Tuesday donation also included various political parties in The Gambia. Mr Saihou Fofana - VDF PRO among others said they invited politicians not because they are politicking, but because they know politicians also have followers that will need support during Ramadan. And they invited all the political parties to avoid discriminations. Communities and disabled people organisation, were among Tuesday's beneficiaries. Mr. Saihou Fofana, Vision Development Foundation (VDF) Communication Directors in his welcoming remarks highlighted the Foundation's annua...

The Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) President, Alh. Essa Darboe has called on wealthy individuals to emulate the philanthropic gestures of Momodou Turo Darboe, the CEO of the Vision Development Foundation (VDF). Momodou Turo Darboe is renowned for his annual Ramadan initiatives, which provide essential items to needy Muslims in The Gambia. These efforts have been a cornerstone of VDF's work, reflecting a tradition of supporting less privilege communities during Ramadan. Darboe's VDF distributes earmarked 4100 bags of sugar in 10 Kilos and other essentials to underprivileged households in the Greater Banjul Areas on Friday,7 March 2025 at the VDF Office in Churchill's Town, Serrekunda. The gesture helps ease economic hardships for beneficiaries during Ramadan.   Turo Darboe's generosity has inspired gratitude from community leaders and beneficiaries view him as a role model for philanthropy. The SIC President encourages other wealthy individuals to follow Darboe's ex...

In fulfillment of its religious obligation, the Vision Development Foundation (VDF) continued its annual Ramadan charity initiative by distributing 3,100 bags of sugar to poor and needy communities in The Gambia. The distribution took place on Wednesday 5 March, targeting areas such as the Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region and Banjul, with community representatives from Latrikunda, Jeshwang, Bakau, Lamin, and other localities receiving the gifts. In previous comments responding to skeptics- VDF’s CEO, Momodou Turo Darboe did emphasised that this initiative was inspired by the teachings of his late father, who advised him to offer Ramadan gifts to the less fortunate. The gifts are being distributed to help support the poor during the Muslim Fasting month, a time when charity is especially encouraged in Islam. Mr Saihou Fofana - VDF's Public Relations Officer highlighted the foundation’s commitment to the fulfillment of the Islamic obligations of giving alms to the poor an...

Upper River Region, The Gambia – The Gambia Federation of the Disabled, in collaboration with Child Fund The Gambia and with funding from UNFPA, has successfully conducted a five-day intensive skills training for Women With Disabilities in the Upper River Region. The training focused on Tie and Dye, Batik, and Business Management, equipping participants with valuable skills to enhance their economic independence. This initiative stems from the recognition that Women With Disabilities in The Gambia face multiple forms of discrimination, particularly in employment opportunities. Many are often marginalized and excluded from the workforce due to their disabilities. In response, the federation, in partnership with UNICEF, engaged a consultant to conduct a needs assessment to identify the interests and aspirations of Women With Disabilities in the region. The assessment revealed that participants were keen on learning income-generating skills such as soap-making, Omo production, Tie and D...

To enhance effective coordination and administration of promotion of disability activities- The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) organized capacity building training on Governance, Leadership skills and financial management. The event held from 10 and 11 January 2025, at the Fatou Mbye Memorial Hall at the Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI) in Kanifing, brought together GFD administrative staff, board members, and heads of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) The training was financed by Government the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NAC - PWDs) and featured two delegates from each of the 19 OPDs affiliated with GFD, drawn from various regions across The Gambia. The workshop included sessions on governance, leadership skills, financial management, and the introduction of the GFD Work Plan 2025. OPDs were tasked with submitting their action plans to enable the GFD to advocate effectively on their behalf. Participants also m...