Promise Trackers

Promise Trackers keep an eye on promises made by the Government and people in authority towards National Development. Our library of Promise Trackers assess how much of the 2018 to 2021 National Development Plan has been achieved and will assess new promises such as creating 150,000 jobs, building 200,000 houses and much more.

Feature Publications
Can the New RF-NDP Deliver on Its Promises?
Business Economy, National Development Plan, Development, Promise Tracker
Can the New RF-NDP Deliver on Its Promises?
Business Economy, National Development Plan, Development, Promise Tracker

As The Gambia pushes forward with its Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023-2027, economic hurdles threaten progress. Rising debt, high inflation, and sluggish growth overshadow efforts to achieve stability and poverty reduction. With two years left in the plan, can the government turn the tide, or will the RF-NDP remain an unfulfilled ambition?

Business Economy, National Development Plan, Development, Promise Tracker
From Promise to Delay: The Story of Gambia’s Ambitious Highway Project
Business Economy, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, President Adama Barrow, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, OIC, Promise Tracker
From Promise to Delay: The Story of Gambia’s Ambitious Highway Project
Business Economy, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, President Adama Barrow, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, OIC, Promise Tracker

The Gambia’s ambitious Bertil Harding Highway expansion project, aimed at easing congestion and modernizing the country’s transportation network, has hit a snag. Despite securing a $40 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in October 2024, Phase III of the project failed to commence by the end of 2024 as promised by Transport Minister Ebrima Sillah. This delay has sparked public frustration and raised questions about the government’s ability to deliver on its infrastructure commitments.

Business Economy, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, President Adama Barrow, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, OIC, Promise Tracker
Promise Tracker: Did the Issuance of National ID Cards Commence in August as Promised?
Promise Tracker, National ID Card, FactCheck Gambia.org, Driver's License, Resident Card.
Promise Tracker: Did the Issuance of National ID Cards Commence in August as Promised?
Promise Tracker, National ID Card, FactCheck Gambia.org, Driver's License, Resident Card.

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

Promise Tracker, National ID Card, FactCheck Gambia.org, Driver's License, Resident Card.
Promise Tracker: Have Promises of Stadium Renovation Completion been Met by July 2024?
Promise Tracker, Renovation, Independence Stadium, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon Bakary Badjie, Africa
Promise Tracker: Have Promises of Stadium Renovation Completion been Met by July 2024?
Promise Tracker, Renovation, Independence Stadium, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon Bakary Badjie, Africa

The Gambia’s only CAF Approved Stadium was banned since March 2022 and since then the Scorpions have been forced to play all home matches outside the country. Since then the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Bakary Badjie issued multiple promises to rectify this problem. Our report ascertains if the MoYS kept any of their promises?

Promise Tracker, Renovation, Independence Stadium, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Hon Bakary Badjie, Africa
Promise Tracker: Did Transport Minister Keep Kanilai Ferry 18 Weeks Maintenance Promise?
Kanilai Ferry, Maintenance Promise, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, Gambia Ports Authority, Promise Tracker, Transportation
Promise Tracker: Did Transport Minister Keep Kanilai Ferry 18 Weeks Maintenance Promise?
Kanilai Ferry, Maintenance Promise, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, Gambia Ports Authority, Promise Tracker, Transportation

This promise tracker verifies the Minister for Transport’s promise that the Kanilai Ferry’s maintenance will be require 18 weeks for completion and that the Ferry will be back in service in September 2024. Our reporter received an updated response from the relevant authorities on when the Kanilai Ferry will be back into service.

Kanilai Ferry, Maintenance Promise, Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, Hon Minister Ebrima Sillah, Gambia Ports Authority, Promise Tracker, Transportation
MoJ: Victims Commission to be Established in First Quarter of 2024
Transitional Justice, Promise Tracker, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, Victims Commission, Reparations
MoJ: Victims Commission to be Established in First Quarter of 2024
Transitional Justice, Promise Tracker, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, Victims Commission, Reparations

Back in December 2023 the Justice Minister revealed to Parliamentarians that his Ministry would establish a Victims Commission in the first quarter of 2024. However, now that the third quarter is almost complete the question remains if a Victims Commission will be established in 2024 at all.

Transitional Justice, Promise Tracker, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights, Victims Commission, Reparations
Promise Tracker: Is President Barrow on Track with his Constitutional Referendum Promise
Constitution, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice, Referendum, Promise Tracker
Promise Tracker: Is President Barrow on Track with his Constitutional Referendum Promise
Constitution, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice, Referendum, Promise Tracker

Eight years after winning his first term under the promise of a Draft Constitution, President Adama Barrow continues to promise a Constitutional Referendum for December 2024. Our factcheckers verified if the President is on track with his promise.

Constitution, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice, Referendum, Promise Tracker
Promise Tracker: Kunta Kinteh Ferry Six Weeks Promise
Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy
Promise Tracker: Kunta Kinteh Ferry Six Weeks Promise
Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy

The Gambia Ferry Services promised to complete much needed maintenance works on the Kunta Kinteh Ferry. This article tracks if the promise was kept or not?

Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy
Promise Tracker: Has President Adama Barrow Delivered on his Promise to reduce unemployment?
Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Employment, National Development Plan
Promise Tracker: Has President Adama Barrow Delivered on his Promise to reduce unemployment?
Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Employment, National Development Plan

Has President Adama Barrow met his National Development Plan’s target to reduce the unemployment rate?

Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Employment, National Development Plan
Promise Tracker: How is Gambia Doing on Maternal Mortality Since 2017?
Health, Promise Tracker, Maternal Mortality, National Development Plan, President Adama Barrow
Promise Tracker: How is Gambia Doing on Maternal Mortality Since 2017?
Health, Promise Tracker, Maternal Mortality, National Development Plan, President Adama Barrow

President Barrow told members of the media that his government is committed to addressing maternal mortality which he claims has reduced under his government. Our reporters tracked this promise detailed in the National Development Plan.

Health, Promise Tracker, Maternal Mortality, National Development Plan, President Adama Barrow
Promise Tracker: Checking President Barrow’s Promises to Fix Banjul Floods and Open Gutters
Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy, Development, Banjul
Promise Tracker: Checking President Barrow’s Promises to Fix Banjul Floods and Open Gutters
Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy, Development, Banjul

In a televised address at the annual Eid-ul Fitr, President Adama Barrow promised to fix the pumping station and a number of open gutters which he referred to as big holes across the city. How did contractors perform?

Promise Tracker, Transportation, Business Economy, Development, Banjul
Promise Tracker: Has President Barrow established a Youth Development Fund and Entrepreneurship Programme?
Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Entrepreneurship, National Development Plan, Youth
Promise Tracker: Has President Barrow established a Youth Development Fund and Entrepreneurship Programme?
Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Entrepreneurship, National Development Plan, Youth

Has President Barrow’s government met the National Development Plan’s target of investing in Youth Entrepreneurship?

Promise Tracker, Business Economy, Entrepreneurship, National Development Plan, Youth

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Investigations

Scandalous and Iniquitous: Interior Ministry's Smokescreen Number Plate Bid

Gainako's investigation reveals that two delegations of Security Officers travelled to Spain and Germany with Businessmen who submitted bids on the Aluminium Number Plate Bid one year before the contract was awarded. This investigation reveals pictures of the trip to Spain and the Security Officers that travelled to Germany on a trip that appears as a clear conflict of interest.

Feature Publications
Under Foreign Control: GICTA Unveils Plans to Re-Locate .GM Domain to The Gambia
Internet, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, GICTA, .GM Domain Name, Investigation, Technology
Under Foreign Control: GICTA Unveils Plans to Re-Locate .GM Domain to The Gambia
Internet, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, GICTA, .GM Domain Name, Investigation, Technology

The Gambia’s .GM domain name is currently under foreign control, and the Gambia government has outlined plans to take control of it to re-locate it in the country. However, it’s not a given that the country’s domain name should be under government control. More in this feature report.

Internet, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, GICTA, .GM Domain Name, Investigation, Technology
Access to Justice at the ECOWAS Court: Challenges and Opportunities
Investigation, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, ANEKED, ECOMIG, Justice, Security, Africa
Access to Justice at the ECOWAS Court: Challenges and Opportunities
Investigation, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, ANEKED, ECOMIG, Justice, Security, Africa

This feature publication highlights the experiences of plaintiffs who filed cases at the ECOWAS Court of Justice and what the ECOWAS Court is doing to enhance access to justice. The story highlights cases of enforced disappearances and violations of journalists including torture and unlawful imprisonment using laws that are still in place in The Gambia.

Investigation, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, ANEKED, ECOMIG, Justice, Security, Africa
GAF Shooting Victim Raises Concerns to Appear Before Military Panel
Investigation, Shooting, Gambia Armed Forces, Security, Human Rights, NHRC
GAF Shooting Victim Raises Concerns to Appear Before Military Panel
Investigation, Shooting, Gambia Armed Forces, Security, Human Rights, NHRC

The GAF has summoned the witnesses to the shooting which occurred on 26th August 2024 in an attempt to launch an investigation into the incident which left one Stanislas Gomez with a bullet still lodged in his thigh. Meanwhile, the GAF has refused to cooperate with the NHRC to allow them to interview members of the State Guard Battalion involved in the shooting incident.

Investigation, Shooting, Gambia Armed Forces, Security, Human Rights, NHRC
GAF Shooting Victim Breaks Silence One Month Later
Investigation, Human Rights, Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting
GAF Shooting Victim Breaks Silence One Month Later
Investigation, Human Rights, Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting

Exclusive interview with a GAF shooting victim one month after their shooting.

Investigation, Human Rights, Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting
Shooting Incident Passengers Refute Army’s Car Chase Claims
Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting, Security, Investigation
Shooting Incident Passengers Refute Army’s Car Chase Claims
Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting, Security, Investigation

Passengers in a recent shooting incident refute allegations from the Gambia Armed Forces of a car chase, being under the influence and being arrested. This story gives the perspective of the passengers involved in a car shooting incident in the early morning of Monday 26th August 2024 at Bijilo where a Soldier fired a single shot that's still lodged into the thigh of one of the passengers.

Gambia Armed Forces, Shooting, Security, Investigation
Gambia to Receive 10% Shares from US$100 Million Hotel
OIC, Parliament, Investigation, Land Dispute, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice
Gambia to Receive 10% Shares from US$100 Million Hotel
OIC, Parliament, Investigation, Land Dispute, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice

President Adama Barrow is expected to lay the foundation stone for a US$100 Million Hotel to be built for the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Summit scheduled to be held in The Gambia. According to the OIC Gambia CEO and the Branding and Communications Lead, the Gambia Government will only benefit from a 10% share of the proceeds of the Hotel.

OIC, Parliament, Investigation, Land Dispute, President Adama Barrow, Ministry of Justice
FactCheck: Who Owns the Former ACU-occupied Land Identified for a US$100 Million OIC Hotel?
FactCheck, Investigation, Judiciary, OIC, Legal
FactCheck: Who Owns the Former ACU-occupied Land Identified for a US$100 Million OIC Hotel?
FactCheck, Investigation, Judiciary, OIC, Legal

The Gambia Government and a charitable organisation named Global HOMM have been locked in a four-year legal dispute over a property in Bijilo previously occupied by the Anti-Crime Unit.

FactCheck, Investigation, Judiciary, OIC, Legal
FactCheck: MoJ Statement on Dispute over former Anti-Crime Premises at Bijilo
Investigation, FactCheck, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes
FactCheck: MoJ Statement on Dispute over former Anti-Crime Premises at Bijilo
Investigation, FactCheck, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes

This publication factchecks the Minister for Justice’s statements that the disputed land is still subject to a court order and that the land belonged to the state.

Investigation, FactCheck, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes
Police Give Trio the Run-around Kairaba, Kanifing and Banjul Police Stations
Investigation, Human Rights, Police, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes
Police Give Trio the Run-around Kairaba, Kanifing and Banjul Police Stations
Investigation, Human Rights, Police, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes

Gambia Police Officers gave a trio including the Country Representative for Global Homes of Medical Mission (GHOMM) and two colleagues the run-around starting from Kairaba Police Station to Kanifing Police Station and finally ending at Banjul Police Headquarters on Wednesday 13th October 2021.

Investigation, Human Rights, Police, Land Dispute, OIC, Global Homes
Police Arrest Three at Former ACU Headquarters Against Court Order
Investigation, Human Rights, Global Homes, Police, Land Dispute
Police Arrest Three at Former ACU Headquarters Against Court Order
Investigation, Human Rights, Global Homes, Police, Land Dispute

Gambian Police Officers arrested and charged three persons for criminal trespass and malicious injury to property on Monday 11th October 2021, although one of those arrested had court documents proving ownership of the premises.

Investigation, Human Rights, Global Homes, Police, Land Dispute
Officers Standoff with GHOMM at Former Anti Crime Unit in Bijilo
Global Homes, GHOMM, Investigation, Land Dispute
Officers Standoff with GHOMM at Former Anti Crime Unit in Bijilo
Global Homes, GHOMM, Investigation, Land Dispute

A pickup full of Police Officers from Senegambia Police Station had a standoff with the alleged owners of the former Anti-Crime Unit (ACU) Headquarters in Bijilo on October 4th 2021. After representatives of Global Homes of Medical Missions (GHOMM) held a press conference at the premises of the former Anti-Crime Unit, a Police Officer named Bojang attempted to disperse a gathering of owners and media personnel from the premises.

Global Homes, GHOMM, Investigation, Land Dispute
Anti-Crime Unit Moves to Police Training School While Owners Denied Entry
Investigation, GHOMM, Land Dispute, Legal
Anti-Crime Unit Moves to Police Training School While Owners Denied Entry
Investigation, GHOMM, Land Dispute, Legal

The Gambia’s Anti-Crime Unit (ACU) has moved from its headquarters in Bijilo to Police Training School next to Yundum Airport. However, representatives of the legal owners of the premises as declared by the High Court were denied entry to commence construction work on the premises today 30th September 2021.

Investigation, GHOMM, Land Dispute, Legal