Barrow added: “My government, through the Ministry of Gender, has a project on women’s empowerment involving 2,340 women who are going to be trained in business entrepreneurship. We will train them for three months, and there is already a fund in place of which over 100 million dalasis will be distributed among them.”
The initiative will benefit women from every region of The Gambia, with allocations as follows: Banjul: 103 women; Kanifing 260 women; West Coast Region 501 women; Lower River Region 293 women; Central River Region 550 women; Upper River Region 463 women, and North Bank Region 253 women
President Barrow emphasised that the money is intended solely for the women and will be provided free of charge. He stressed that the programme is not only about financial support but also about equipping Gambian women with the skills and confidence to thrive as entrepreneurs.
The initiative, he said, forms part of his administration’s wider crusade to empower women and strengthen their role in national development. “By combining training with financial backing, the government aims to create a new generation of successful businesswomen who can contribute to economic growth and uplift their communities.”
“The project underscores my administration’s recognition of women as key drivers of progress and prosperity. With the promise of training, funding, and opportunity, the beneficiaries are expected to emerge as empowered entrepreneurs, ready to transform their lives and inspire others,” he emphasised.
After listening to concerns raised by inhabitants of the area, President Adama Barrow appealed for patience, assuring citizens that development projects will reach their doorsteps.
The President acknowledged the challenges of road construction, noting that even short stretches can cost millions of dalasis. He emphasised that the achievements of his administration in recent years have surpassed those of previous governments. “All the challenges highlighted have been taken note of and will be addressed,” he said, citing the construction of 18 classrooms and teachers’ quarters in Sanunding as evidence of his government’s commitment. “As your servant, I will continue to work towards improving your lives and livelihoods.”
The President assured residents that their concerns will be compiled into a report at the end of the tour, with priority given to the most pressing issues. He further pledged that the road linking the village to the main highway will be constructed as part of the government’s wider infrastructure programme.
On agriculture, President Barrow revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding the price of groundnuts for the upcoming trade season, and the official price per tonne will be announced soon.
Echoing Minister Bah’s remarks, he urged residents to register in the next voter registration exercise and support the government to ensure continuity of its development agenda.
Community Concerns
Alhagie Sellu Drammeh, the alkalo of Sanunding, drew attention to the poor road conditions in the district. He noted that the lack of accessible roads has had dire consequences, particularly for the sick, with some patients dying before reaching hospital. He appealed for the expansion of the rural electrification project to cover communities that remain without electricity.
Sulayman Touray expressed gratitude to President Barrow for supporting farmers, which he said resulted in higher yields. However, he urged the government to provide fire services in the area, warning that without them, any fire outbreak could be catastrophic. He also called for improved mobility for security personnel to enable effective patrols to maintain peace and stability. Touray assured the President of a landslide victory for the National People’s Party (NPP) in the 2026 presidential election.
Saikou Sumareh praised the unprecedented development registered in Tumana and Kantora districts, but echoed concerns about the lack of mobility and accommodation for police officers at Fatoto. He revealed that officers are currently housed in a 50-year-old building that is unsafe. Sumareh also highlighted the availability of fertilisers, which has boosted agricultural production, and urged the government to provide tractors to further enhance farming activities.
Fatou Sillah appealed for an ambulance for Sare Alpha Hospital and called for urgent rehabilitation of the Diabugu–Sare Bandi road, which she described as being in poor condition.
Mawdo Susso thanked the President for expanding electricity to nearly all villages in the district, including hospitals, for the first time since independence. He also commended the provision of improved roads, fertilisers, and timely support to farmers. Susso urged the President to ensure a successful groundnut trade season and called for attitudinal change to safeguard peace and stability.
Nfally Kora, the National Assembly Member for Tumana, hailed the establishment of the district’s first hospital and water projects, as well as the construction of two women’s gardens. He appealed for the construction of the Badari–Kulari–Saja Kunda road to further ease transportation.
Minister for Agriculture Demba Sabally reassured farmers that all seccos which purchased groundnuts last year would continue operations this season, dismissing earlier claims that only 50 would be engaged. He confirmed that farmers who applied for tractors had received them and encouraged others to do the same.
Sabally outlined government interventions in the region, including ploughing 45 hectares in Garawol, Buntunding, and Fatoto, alongside the distribution of 50 bags of fertiliser free of charge. He noted that rice growers in Tumana and Kantora districts had received over 400 rice and maize seedlings, while communities such as Kundam Ma Fatty and Garawol have been equipped with power tillers, tractors, and rice threshers.
He further announced that 250 hectares would be cultivated in Keneba, with tenders already advertised, and new gardens would be established in Badari and Saja Kunda. Two communities have also been provided with pastures to support livestock feeding. Sabally urged residents of the Upper River Region to safeguard fertilisers allocated to them, stressing, “we should all act as police officers to ensure that fertilisers meant for this region remain here.”
Minister for Lands and Local Government and Culture, Hamat N.K. Bah, urged young Gambians to embrace skills training as a pathway to growth and development. He also encouraged residents to register in the upcoming voter registration exercise, stressing that continued participation is vital to sustaining the unprecedented development currently underway across the country.
Women Empowerment
As part of the visit, a cheque worth over 1.9 million dalasis was presented to 20 women’s groups (Kafos), representing more than 2,000 women. The initiative forms part of the government’s Women Enterprise Fund, aimed at empowering women across the country.
