Thursday, September 11, 2025
A Rebuttal to the Misguided Criticism of President Barrow’s Cabinet Appointments
By Yaya Dampha Coordinator NPP Diaspora Sweden
The recent wave of criticism from some online media outlets and self-styled political commentators regarding His Excellency President Adama Barrow’s cabinet reshuffle—particularly the appointment of Hon. Baboucarr ousmaila Joof as Minister of Defence—is not only misguided, but also reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of both The Gambia’s political history and the constitutional role of the Ministry of Defence.
To begin with, the claim that appointing a civilian without a military background as Defence Minister is unprecedented or a misstep is historically false.
From independence, successive Gambian leaders, including the founding father Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, held the Defence portfolio themselves. Sir Dawda, during his long tenure as Head of State (1970–1994), personally oversaw the Ministry of Defence on multiple occasions. When he did delegate this role, it was to capable civilian leaders such as Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, Assan Musa Camara, Alhaji Alieu Badara Njie, and Saihou Sabally (who also served as Vice President). None of them were military officers, yet they served diligently and effectively.
It was only during the time of former president Yahya Jammeh's time that the Gambia’s Defence ministry was militarised.
Why is it that our so-called experts and online media outlets always jump to conclusions without digging for historical, legal and factual proofs.
This precedent illustrates a simple but critical truth: the Defence Minister’s role is fundamentally civilian and political, not military. Defence ministries across the world are led by civilians precisely to ensure democratic oversight, accountability, and the subordination of the armed forces to elected leadership. A Defence Minister is not meant to lead troops in combat—that is the duty of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the professional military command. Instead, the Minister of Defence provides policy direction, facilitates coordination between government and the armed forces, manages resources, and ensures that the army operates within the framework of the constitution and the laws of the land.
Furthermore, those who suggest that Hon. Joof lacks political experience are equally mistaken or should I say economical with the truth. His distinguished record of public service and leadership stands as proof of his competence and ability to oversee such sensitive ministry. Unlike what critics would have the public believe, a Defence Minister’s greatest strength lies in diplomacy, governance, and management—not in military rank.
It is also worth emphasizing that placing a military figure as Defence Minister often risks unhealthy power struggles between the CDS and the Minister. History shows that soldiers naturally command loyalty from the ranks, and combining this with political authority could create friction, rivalry, or even destabilization. A civilian Minister, on the other hand, provides balance—free from competition for military loyalty, and better positioned to uphold civilian control over the armed forces.
Therefore, President Barrow’s decision to appoint Hon. Joof as Minister of Defence is neither new nor misguided. It is consistent with democratic tradition, Gambian precedent, and global best practice. Instead of sensationalizing this appointment, commentators should acknowledge it as a step towards stability, civilian supremacy, and continuity in governance.
President Barrow has once again demonstrated his commitment to consolidating democracy and ensuring that the armed forces remain a professional institution under civilian oversight. The criticism is not only baseless but also undermines the democratic principle that the military must serve the state—not govern it.
Monday, September 8, 2025
Police Give Update on Cybercrime Case and Drifting Incident
By Jarranews Staff Reporter
It could be recall that sometimes last week the police in the Gambia have arrested dozens of foreigners with multiple devices after a raid on a compound in Tujereng Town. The arrested foreigners were suspected of engaging in cybercrime activities mainly targeting foreigners and Gambians in the diaspora. They have since been helping the police with their investigation.
Today the Gambia Police Force has provided updates on two high-profile cases currently before the courts, one involving an alleged cybercrime syndicate and the other a road safety matter linked to a drifting incident.
Cybercrime Case: 42 Foreign Nationals Arraigned
Forty-two foreign nationals—five Chinese and 37 Nigerians—appeared before Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court as part of ongoing cybercrime investigations.
The accused face charges of unlawful possession of devices and data, as well as computer-related fraud and forgery under Sections 168 and 173 of the Information and Communications Act of 2009.
All 42 suspects pleaded not guilty. Each was granted bail set at D300,000, with two Gambian sureties required to provide an affidavit of means. The case was adjourned to September 11, 2025, for further proceedings.
Drifting Incident: Bail for Baboucarr Sawo
In a separate matter, the case of IGP vs. Baboucarr Sawo, popularly known as “Daddy,” was also heard today. Sawo faces charges linked to an alleged drifting incident at Piccadilly that left an elderly vendor injured.
The court granted him bail in the sum of D1.5 million, with conditions including three Gambian sureties, sworn affidavits of means, and the surrender of travel documents. The case was adjourned to September 17, 2025, for continuation.
The Gambia Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all cases diligently and ensuring justice is served in accordance with the law.
Friday, September 5, 2025
Mass Cybercrime Bust in Tujereng:
By JarraNews Staff Writer
September
Tujereng — The quiet coastal town of Tujereng has been thrust into the national spotlight after Gambian authorities uncovered what is believed to be one of the country’s most extensive cybercrime operations to date.
In a carefully coordinated raid, police seized 36 laptops, 174 mobile phones, 32 desktop computers, and multiple pieces of networking equipment, allegedly used in a network of online scams. The bust resulted in the arrest of 60 foreign nationals, believed to be of Chinese and Vietnamese origin, though authorities are working with diplomatic partners to verify their exact nationalities.
A police spokesperson described the case as “a highly organized operation with international footprints.”
Alleged Cryptocurrency and Recruitment Scams
Investigations suggest the suspects were engaged in cryptocurrency investment scams and fraudulent recruitment schemes, using online platforms to target victims abroad. Authorities believe unsuspecting individuals were enticed with offers of unrealistic profits or lucrative job opportunities, only to be defrauded when funds were transferred to offshore accounts.
Expert Warnings on Global Cybercrime
Cybersecurity experts say the Tujereng case reflects a broader trend in global cybercrime.
“Cryptocurrency has become the tool of choice for international fraud syndicates,” explained Dr. Lamin Sanyang, a cybersecurity analyst based in Dakar. “These networks exploit its anonymity to move large sums of money quickly, making it extremely difficult for law enforcement to trace.”
Dr. Sanyang added that The Gambia’s growing digital footprint makes it both a potential target and a possible base for such operations:
> “Criminals look for jurisdictions where digital oversight is still developing. This is not a Gambian problem alone, but the country must strengthen its laws, build capacity, and invest in cyber-policing if it is to deter such activities in the future.”
Commendations to the Gambia Police Force
The swift and coordinated operation has drawn praise from security observers and local residents alike. Many have commended the Gambia Police Force for taking decisive action against a network that could have further tarnished the country’s image if left unchecked.
“This is a victory not just for The Gambia, but for all victims of cybercrime globally,” said a civil society representative. “It shows that with determination and cooperation, even small nations can disrupt powerful criminal enterprises.”
A Growing Challenge
While the suspects are believed to have targeted mostly foreign victims, officials caution that Gambians at home and abroad remain at risk. Fraudulent online investments and fake recruitment schemes have become increasingly common across social media platforms, often presented with polished websites and convincing testimonials.
The police are analyzing the seized devices to track financial flows, identify accomplices, and potentially link the operation to larger criminal syndicates.
Editor’s Note: A Word to the Public and Diaspora
The JarraNews editorial team strongly urges readers to remain vigilant. Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, often targeting Gambians abroad with promises of quick profits or overseas job placements.
To the Gambian diaspora community: be especially cautious of unsolicited offers of cryptocurrency investments or recruitment opportunities that sound too good to be true. Before sending money or sharing personal information, verify the legitimacy of the company or platform.
The Gambia Police Force has taken a commendable step in protecting both Gambians and the wider international community. Continued public awareness, vigilance, and cooperation with law enforcement will be critical in the fight against cybercrime.
Saidou D.M. Camara Reviews Dr. Dampha's Scholarly work
By Jarra News TV Staff Reporter
PACCL Scholar Explores Cultural and Economic Reconnection in Pan-African Futures
The latest scholarly work by Dr. Lang Fafa Dampha, titled African Echoes, Caribbean Futures, is sparking conversation across Pan-African circles for its bold take on culture, economics, and reparative justice.
The essay, reviewed in a commentary by Saidou D.M. Camara, argues that the Caribbean’s reconnection with Africa is moving beyond nostalgia toward a strategy of resistance, empowerment, and future-making. Through food, entrepreneurship, and digital connectivity, Dampha shows how grassroots initiatives are reshaping Pan-Africanism in practical, everyday ways.
At the heart of the essay is Africana Chops, a culinary venture in St. Lucia founded by Dr. Augustine Ogbu. For Dampha, this restaurant is more than a business; it is a living symbol of cultural reclamation. Each dish, from fufu to egusi soup, is framed as both memory and resistance—an act of reconnecting the African diaspora with its fragmented past.
Beyond culture, Dampha insists that revival must be tied to economic agency. Africana Chops, he argues, demonstrates how food enterprises can strengthen supply chains, create youth employment, and model transatlantic trade, echoing the reparations agenda of the CARICOM Reparations Commission.
The essay also highlights how digital platforms—from Instagram to TikTok—are becoming modern Pan-African commons, allowing diaspora communities to share languages, music, and traditions in real time. This, Camara notes, reflects a new kind of Pan-African identity: global, interactive, and youth-driven.
Dampha connects these grassroots practices to state-level initiatives, citing air and sea bridges between Africa and the Caribbean, digital currency experiments, and climate diplomacy. This, he argues, fulfills Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of Pan-Africanism as both cultural and political.
In conclusion, Dampha positions reconnection not as nostalgia but as resistance—a forward-looking strategy rooted in memory, but oriented toward sovereignty and development. In doing so, his work builds on the legacies of Paul Gilroy, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Walter Rodney, and Frantz Fanon, while offering a roadmap for Pan-Africanism in the 21st century.
Jarra News TV commends both Dr. Dampha and Saidou D.M. Camara for their wonderful insights and intellectual foresight in guiding the future of Africa and Africans. Their combined perspectives reflect a vision of Pan-Africanism that is both deeply rooted and boldly innovative.
Thursday, September 4, 2025
PACCL Launches Summer Classes with Focus on Leadership
Open to students, professionals, and lifelong learners, the programme combines academic rigor with practical insights, delivered by leading scholars and practitioners with both global and Pan-African expertise.
The first session, “Introduction to Leadership,” will be held online on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. UTC. Conducted in English, the lesson aims to help participants:
Understand the distinction between leadership and management.
Explore the qualities and styles of effective leaders.
Reflect on their personal leadership potential and areas for growth.
The session will be facilitated by Dr. Lang Fafa Dampha, a seasoned academic and leader with a distinguished career spanning Africa and Europe. Dr. Dampha previously lectured at the University of Paris II, Panthéon-Assas, and the University of Paris 8, Saint-Denis, before serving as Executive Secretary of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN) under the African Union from 2015 to 2025. He also led the African Union’s Centre for the Study and Research on Migration between 2021 and 2022.
Currently, Dr. Dampha is the Executive Director of PACCL and Managing Director of MadiKulaySano Trading and Services. Drawing on his extensive expertise in leadership, policy, languages, and Pan-African thought, he is expected to bring both theoretical depth and practical perspectives to the class.
The PACCL Summer Classes are part of the centre’s mission to nurture knowledge, cultural appreciation, and transformative leadership for Africa and the world.
African Echoes, Caribbean Futures: Reconnecting Through Culture and Language
By Dr.Lang Fafa Dampha
Part I: A Taste of Return – Culinary Bridges and a New Pan-African
Part I: A Taste of Return – Culinary Bridges and a New Pan-African
RODNEY BAY, St. Lucia — The rhythmic pounding of fufu drifts through the streets of this bustling coastal town. For some, the sound is a familiar reminder of home; for others, it is a newfound ritual. But for many, it now resonates far beyond the dinner table. It has become a heartbeat of cultural revival, signaling the Caribbean’s renewed effort to reconnect with Africa in language, enterprise, and shared vision.
In kitchens tucked behind verandas and in small family-run restaurants, food is no longer just sustenance. It is ceremony. Each pounded yam, each simmering pot of egusi or jollof rice, is a declaration: We remember. With every dish, Caribbean communities are reclaiming ancestral bonds strained by slavery, colonialism, and dependency.
This movement is not only about food, but about what the food represents: a revival of identity intertwined with global calls for reparative justice. The echo of the mortar and pestle is also the echo of Africa calling its diaspora home—and the Caribbean is answering, through music, policy, education, and enterprise.
A Doctor Who Cooks for a Cause
At the center of this cultural resurgence is Dr. Augustine Ogbu, a 29-year-old Nigerian-born physician turned restaurateur. His venture, Africana Chops, in Rodney Bay, is more than a bustling takeaway. It is a living bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, a space where heritage and healing converge over steaming bowls of egusi soup and fragrant jollof rice.
“Food is language. Food is identity. Food is memory. Every plate we serve is a story we’re reclaiming,” Dr. Ogbu says.
For many of his Caribbean patrons, the flavors at Africana Chops carry a spiritual familiarity, a sense of déjà vu that transcends centuries of displacement. His restaurant is not just feeding customers—it is nourishing a movement.
Culture as Currency
Africana Chops is also an economic project. By sourcing ingredients from both local and African suppliers, training young chefs in traditional techniques, and collaborating with cultural institutions, Dr. Ogbu is institutionalizing Pan-African exchange. His work demonstrates how cultural businesses can serve as engines of reparative justice and sustainable development.
The restaurant even embodies a kind of grassroots diplomacy. Informal cultural bridges, along with formal cooperation agreements between Nigeria and St. Lucia, illustrate how food, business, and culture can open new channels of political and economic partnership across the Atlantic.
Beyond Nostalgia, Toward Strategy
Dr. Ogbu’s story is part of a larger Caribbean transformation. From classrooms introducing African languages and histories, to entrepreneurs importing shea butter and Ankara fabrics, to musicians rapping in Twi, a new Pan-African consciousness is taking root.
Digital platforms are accelerating this revival. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube now serve as global commons for the diaspora—spaces where music, fashion, food, and language are exchanged in real time. Viral Afrobeats tracks, tutorials in Swahili or Yoruba, and stories of heritage journeys are reconnecting families separated for centuries.
Governments, too, are taking notice. Caribbean leaders have begun discussing direct air and sea links with Africa, joint investment agreements, and even shared digital currencies to reduce reliance on colonial-era financial systems. These are not symbolic gestures—they are strategic moves toward economic independence and deeper integration.
A Shared Destiny
The strength of this movement lies in its many forms. It can be heard in the drum rhythms a grandmother teaches her grandchildren, and seen in climate summits between Barbados and Nigeria. It is alive in Accra’s festivals and Port of Spain’s spoken-word circles.
This is not nostalgia—it is resistance. It is an unlearning of colonial myths of fragmentation and inferiority, and a reassertion of a buried truth: the descendants of Africa, wherever they are, share a destiny.
Through language, trade, music, and solidarity, the diaspora is not only healing historical wounds. It is also designing a future defined on its own terms.
To be continued in Part II: From Cultural Pride to Economic Repair – How Pan-African Identity Is Fueling New Models of Trade, Innovation, and Justice.
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