Our first feature publication on our series, The Budget is a Scam, highlights how the Gambia Government spends millions on fuel and lubricants, vehicles, and maintenance of vehicles as opposed to the amount it spends on firefighting, ambulances, rescue vehicles, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

More in this feature publication featuring inforgraphics by Askanwi Media.

After submitting a request for information to the Ministry of Interior on the resumption of issuance of national documents back in 12th November 2024, the Ministry of Interior has finally responded to our request today 23rd December 2024. More in this exclusive in the link below.

On the same week of the 2025 Budget Speech, two of the highest-profile officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) have announced that the lowest wage (take home) of civil servants will increase to D6,000 for the lowest Grade 1.1 from January 2025.

Our FactCheckers went to work and sought additional confirmation from the Ministry Of Finance and Economic Affairs Gambia - MOFEA who confirmed our figures for this publication.

The Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) latest progress report highlights that only 16 recommendations issued by the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) have been implemented by the Gambia Government over a two-year period (2021 to 2023). More in the FactSheet.

After Askanwi posted about an unidentified lady around Kerr Serign junction on 19th November 2024, who was behaving erratically towards people in the streets, our reporter and some passersby assisted her to access medical attention, where she was later taken by the Police to Nemban Clinic.

More in this report.

Four Gambian Civil Society Advocates have filed a lawsuit against the state in the Supreme Court against the Finance Minister’s alleged failure to table the 2025 budget as mandated by the amended 1997 Constitution today, 19th December 2024.

Our observation shows that work is still ongoing as streets like Lancaster and Perseverance are still yet to have new pavement. Therefore, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah’s claim that President Barrow’s government paved all the streets in Banjul is deemed misleading.

Our observation shows that work is still ongoing, as streets like Lancaster and Perseverance are still yet to have new pavement. Therefore, Hon. Minister Ebrima Sillah’s claim that President Barrow’s government paved all the streets in Banjul is deemed misleading.

Verdict: MISLEADING

This FactCheck interrogates the Point Newspaper’s front page headline, “Banjul Has Highest HIV Infection Rate.” Our reporter, who has been monitoring HIV statistics in the city since 2017, highlights the differences between where people register and where they are residents. The claim by the Point Newspaper is deemed MISLEADING.

The University of the Gambia has been incapacitated by a protest after students demanded for two lecturers to be reinstated after a news publication claimed that a court had ordered their reinstatement and compensation to the tune of D5.2 million. The Point Newspaper issued a corrigendum rectifying this, and the Minister for Higher Education clarified this at a press briefing yesterday, 6th December 2024.
More in the story.