UN training for journalists on elections opens in Dakar

30 journalists selected across various media in West Africa are being taken through an intensive training class for two days to broaden their knowledge on the role of the media in the promotion of peaceful elections in West Africa.

The training workshop, organised by the United Nations Office for West Africa Dakar in partnership with the High Commissioner for Human-Bureau West Africa Rights (OHCHR-BAO), UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), and the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF), is taking place in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. It is entitled, “The Role of Media in the Promotion and Conduct of Peaceful Electoral Processes in West Africa.”

91, 000 Gambians Suffer From Mental Illness – Report

Bakary Sonko

A new policy document on mental health under review by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed that 91, 000 or 10 percent of The Gambia's population aged 15 years and more had one form of mental illness or the other.
The 2016-2025 Mental Health Policy of The Gambia draft document is being reviewed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners.

SJAG Lambast, Caution GFF after disrespectful treatment to Journalist

The Executive Committee of the Sports Journalists’ Association of The Gambia (SJAG) strongly condemn in the strongest form the humiliation, disrespect, discomfort meted on our member sports journalists on Sunday, the 6^th September 2015 by the Executive Committee of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), during the AFCON qualifier game between the Scorpions of The Gambia and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Stadium in Bakau.

Below is the protest letter signed by Alieu Ceesay, Assistant Secretary General of the Gambia Sports Journalist Association:

“We are journalists and professionals in our own rights and we deserved to be given the maximum respect like any other professional in any sector.

Gambia Gets First FIBA Accredited Referees’ Instructor

The first ever Gambian Basketball referees’ Instructor accredited by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) was unveiled by The Gambia Basketball Association (GBA) on Monday at a ceremony held at Olympic House.

The Gambia National Olympic Committee financed Mr. Sang Marie Sambou’s trip through The Gambia Basketball Association to undergo International Referees Instructor and Refresher Clinic in Tunisia in April this Year.

The result was released last week with Mr Sambou registering flying colors and has been appointed as national referee instructor by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Gov't moves to end open defecation

By Abdoulie Nget

The minister of Health and Social Welfare on Friday said the government of President Yahya Jammeh would adopt offensive disposition to eradicate the menace of open defecation in the country.
Omar Sey who spoke during the launch of a pronouncement to end open defecation in The Gambia by 2017 held at Dalagass Village in Central River Region said the new initiative will ensure proper sanitation and hygiene.