“With this huge achievement, we have fulfilled a big promise and restored hope and confidence in our healthcare system,” he declared.

The President highlighted the importance of timely and accurate diagnostics, noting that the National Reference Laboratory will improve disease detection, support advanced investigations, and enhance national health security.

The Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, meanwhile, is expected to reduce the need for Gambians to travel abroad for specialised services, offering advanced imaging and early detection capabilities within the country.

President Barrow stressed that infrastructure alone cannot transform healthcare without investment in human capital. The Training and Conference Centre will provide continuous professional development for health workers, while the Biomedical Engineering Unit will service and maintain medical equipment, reducing reliance on foreign expertise.

Looking ahead, the Farato complex is set to expand into a 1,500-bed national teaching hospital, envisioned as The Gambia’s premier centre for specialised healthcare, medical education, research, and innovation. “This is a potential Centre of Excellence,” Barrow said, adding that the facility could position The Gambia as a regional hub for quality healthcare and medical training.

The President acknowledged the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions. He noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the need for resilient health systems to safeguard both national health and economic stability.

President Barrow commended the Ministry of Health, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders for their role in completing the project. He expressed gratitude to the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support, pledging accountability and judicious use of resources.

He urged healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and integrity, ensuring that the centre becomes “one of enviable excellence, innovation, accountability, and fulfilment for the nation.”

In his closing remarks, President Barrow reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure, improving access to medicines, investing in digital health systems, and reducing overseas medical referrals. 

“With pride and honour, I declare The Gambia National Emergency Treatment Centre officially open,” he announced, calling on citizens to support the continuity and stability needed to complete the country’s ambitious healthcare transformation agenda.

The nine-month humanitarian and resilience-building initiative is designed to help vulnerable communities in The Gambia anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from floods and windstorms.

Under PROTECT, families will receive D14,526 each via APS mobile money service to meet urgent needs with dignity. The project also includes the drilling of six boreholes in six identified communities within the region.

The initiative aligns with national priorities on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable development. It builds on the National Disaster Risk Management Plan (NDRMP) and is supported through the CRS EMPOWER program.

It also draws on lessons from the 2024 ECOWAS Sustainable Development Flood Response, which provided lifesaving assistance to more than 3,000 flood-affected households nationwide.

By combining immediate humanitarian support with long-term resilience measures, the project aims to strengthen communities against seasonal hazards while advancing development goals.

NDMA Executive Director Sanna Dahaba described the initiative as “a significant milestone” in efforts to strengthen disaster risk management and protect lives and livelihoods in line with NDMA’s strategy, policy, and the National Development Plan.

He noted that vulnerable households have been hit hardest by floods, windstorms, droughts, and other hazards that disrupt livelihoods and strain limited resources.

“This project reflects our shared commitment to reducing disaster risk, enhancing preparedness, strengthening community resilience, and promoting sustainable solutions that protect vulnerable populations from disasters and climate-related shocks,” Dahaba said.

CRS Country Representative Dr. Amulai Touray said the nine-month response is grounded in CRS and NDMA’s shared commitment to saving lives, protecting dignity, and building resilience.

“The project is fully aligned with the recently validated National Disaster Risk Management Plan, ensuring that our efforts support and reinforce national systems and priorities,” Dr. Touray stated.

Beyond immediate cash support, he added, the project will strengthen community preparedness by enhancing early warning systems and supporting the development of community action plans to reduce risks and vulnerabilities.

He warned that The Gambia continues to face increasing climate-related challenges. “Frequent and severe flooding is undermining livelihoods, weakening household resilience, and placing pressure on local response systems.”

“These impacts are most severe for women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly,” Dr. Touray said. “While efforts have been made to establish community-level structures, key gaps remain in capacity, coordination, and early warning systems.”

Doctor Njogou L Bah PURA Director General reminded that the gathering that in this rapidly evolving digital era, the challenges facing regulators have become more complex and increasingly transnational.”

“Issues such as cross-border connectivity, roaming services, spectrum coordination, cybersecurity, consumer protection, digital services, e-commerce, and postal sector development require regulators to work together,” he added.

Mr. Dahirou Thiam, Director General, ARTP Senegal said: “This ceremony is more than just a formal signing. It represents a binding commitment by our two leading regulatory institutions to strengthen cooperation, deepen regional integration, and advance the development of communications and postal sectors within our two countries, but also within the wider ECOWAS region.”

“I encourage both institutions to move swiftly from commitment to implementation. The true success of this partnership will be measured not by the signing of the document itself, but by the practical results it delivers in the months and years ahead.”

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay Minister for information media and broadcasting services, addressing the gathering, highlighted the significance of the agreement for national development and regional integration.

“The communication sector has become one of the most important enablers of national development. Communications, broadcasting, internet services, postal services, and emerging digital technologies are now drivers of economic growth, public service delivery, financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and social cohesion,” he said.

“As e-commerce and digital trade continue to expand across the continent, efficient and well regulated postal and logistic services have become essential components of national and regional development. The government fully supports initiatives that modernize and strengthen the regulatory environment for communication and postal services.”

The MoU establishes a PURA-ARTP Regulatory Cooperation Forum to coordinate joint activities, staff exchanges, technical assistance and capacity building. Both regulators said implementation will prioritize postal sector modernization, spectrum coordination, quality of service monitoring and consumer protection.

Despite recent progress, West Africa remains one of the least electrified regions in the world, with access gaps continuing to constrain growth, service delivery, and private sector development. In Togo and The Gambia, high generation costs, limited infrastructure, and affordability challenges have slowed electrification, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. The new project responds to these constraints by expanding and densifying distribution networks, lowering connection costs, and accelerating renewable energy development. It is expected to connect about 1 million people while unlocking new economic opportunities across both countries.

By powering households, businesses, farms, and public services, RAISE will serve as a strong catalyst for job creation. Reliable electricity will enable the growth of small businesses, agro-processing, and digital services, while reducing reliance on costly diesel generation. Over time, the project will generate labor income gains equivalent to about 11,700 jobs annually, including 2,500 in The Gambia and 9,200 in Togo, through both direct and indirect economic effects. In the short term, construction and network expansion will create additional employment opportunities, while building local capacity in the energy sector.

The project builds on decades of regional cooperation that have already delivered over 4,000 km of transmission lines interconnecting 14 West African countries, enabling cross-border electricity trade and more efficient use of energy resources. By further integrating national systems and scaling up renewable energy, it contributes to Mission 300’s ambition to connect 300 million people to electricity across Africa.

“RAISE highlights the transformative role of electricity in driving inclusive development across the region,” said Nathan Belete, World Bank Director for Africa Regional Programs. “By leveraging regional coordination and shared infrastructure, RAISE demonstrates how cooperation across countries can accelerate electrification, reduce costs, and deliver larger benefits for economies and communities.”

The WCO Council Sessions, the highest decision-making body of the World Customs Organization, brought together Heads of Customs Administrations and senior officials from member countries to review the Organization’s activities, discuss emerging customs and trade issues, and adopt key policy, governance, and technical decisions aimed at strengthening customs administrations globally.

During the three-day meeting, delegates considered a wide range of issues including implementation and capacity development, customs integrity, rules of origin, customs valuation, tariff classification under the Harmonized System, enforcement, trade facilitation, technology, governance, policy matters, and the financial and administrative affairs of the Organization.

The Council endorsed several important recommendations from its technical and governance committees, reaffirming the central role of Customs administrations in facilitating legitimate trade, safeguarding borders, enhancing revenue collection, and combating illicit trade. Particular emphasis was placed on customs modernization, digital transformation, integrity promotion, coordinated border management, and the use of technology and data analytics to improve operational efficiency.

The Council also reviewed the report of the WCO Secretary General on the implementation of the Organization’s Strategic Plan for 2025/2026 and commended the Secretariat for its efforts in supporting member administrations through capacity building, technical assistance, and the development of international customs standards.

The Council Sessions provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with customs leaders from across the world, exchange experiences, and explore innovative approaches to addressing emerging customs challenges. The outcomes of the meeting will further support GRA’s ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery, strengthening compliance, and promoting economic growth through efficient border management.

The participation of the GRA delegation also provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the WCO Secretariat and partner customs administrations, while exploring additional avenues for technical assistance, capacity development, and knowledge sharing.

The Gambia Revenue Authority remains committed to implementing international best practices and WCO standards to support national development objectives, facilitate trade, secure the country’s borders, and improve domestic revenue mobilization.

A key feature of the Changsha programme is exposing participants to China’s rapidly evolving AI-driven media landscape. Delegates will learn how Chinese media organisations use artificial intelligence to assist with news gathering, multilingual translation, video production, content distribution, audience engagement and data analysis, enabling journalists to deliver faster, more accurate and interactive news to millions of people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Yang Lanying, President of the Hunan Women’s Federation, warmly welcomed the international delegates and highlighted the importance of digital transformation in empowering women and strengthening public communication.

“We are delighted to welcome you to beautiful Changsha, where we will share how women’s organisations can build digital platforms, harness technology and create communication channels that better serve women, families and society,” she said.

Professor Yang, a respected historian and recipient of China’s State Council Special Government Allowance for her academic contributions, said technological innovation is transforming every aspect of society and creating unprecedented opportunities for women to participate in governance, entrepreneurship and public life.

She noted that Hunan Province, with a population of more than 65 million people, including over 31 million women, has become one of China’s leading centres for media, publishing, broadcasting and e-commerce.

“Hunan has what many people call a powerful ‘media army’ and ‘e-commerce army’,” she explained. “Countless women are actively participating in the digital economy, rural revitalisation, technological innovation and grassroots governance.”

Professor Yang added that AI is fundamentally changing how people communicate, work and live, while creating new opportunities for women’s development.

“A social media account, a short video or a live-streaming broadcast can connect markets, promote culture, expand businesses and even change a person’s life,” she said. “The digital era has opened new doors for women, and through this seminar we hope to share experiences, strengthen cooperation and amplify women’s voices across Belt and Road countries.”

She further stressed that women leaders play an indispensable role in public governance, social services, cultural exchange and sustainable development, adding that closer cooperation among participating countries would contribute to stronger people-to-people ties and mutual learning between civilisations.

During their stay in Changsha, delegates will explore how China’s integrated media system combines traditional journalism with digital platforms, artificial intelligence and big data to improve news production and audience engagement. They will also interact with media professionals and technology experts who are pioneering AI-powered journalism.

For many participants, the seminar presents an opportunity to examine how emerging technologies can strengthen journalism in their respective countries while promoting responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

As AI continues to dominate China’s media landscape, the experience offers valuable lessons for developing countries such as The Gambia, where embracing digital innovation could improve newsroom efficiency, enhance fact-checking, expand online audiences and modernise news delivery without replacing the vital role of journalists. Instead, AI is increasingly being used as a tool to support human creativity, improve productivity and help media organisations adapt to the demands of the digital age.

The Hon Chief Justice will assume the Chairmanship of Advisory Council with effect from the 01st of August 2026. The Council, which comprises retired African Chief Justices, advises serving Chief Justices on all aspects of the administration of Justice.

The Nairobi Summit agenda was focussed on promoting effective practices of alternative dispute resolution, African continental cooperation for

commercial justice and the resolution of financial sector disputes in order to enhance commercial confidence in Africa.

The Judiciary of The Gambia welcomes these awards to the Hon Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow CRG as an honour bestowed on the Gambia, its judiciary, its legal profession and its people.

Ambassador Ndour noted that discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal, the mandate and activities of the Secretariat, and the implementation of resolutions reached during the recently concluded 4th Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council held in Dakar.

He highlighted that the Presidential Council resulted in the signing of nine additional agreements between the two countries, and that the Secretariat is actively following up on their implementation schedules. The delegation also discussed some of the operational challenges facing the Secretariat and explored ways to further enhance collaboration for the mutual benefit and development of both nations.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal and underscored the important role of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat in advancing the shared aspirations of the two sister republics.