Malagen

04/03/2025

Fact-Check: False Claim About GCCI's $600 Million Enterprise Fund Partnership

Claim: A widely circulated Facebook post alleges that the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to invest $600 million in The Gambian Integrated Entrepreneurs Development Program.

The post invites individuals and businesses to apply for financial aid and grants through an online portal.
Fact-Check Findings by Malagen:

GCCI Denial: The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has officially refuted the claim, stating that the post is a scam and not offering any such funding program.
GCCI has urged the public to disregard the post and avoid engaging with it.
No Official Announcement: A review of GCCI’s official communication channels, including its website and verified social media accounts, reveals no such announcement regarding a partnership with the African Development Bank or a $600 million investment in any entrepreneurship program.

Suspicious Online Portal: The post directs users to a Google Docs link instead of an official government or organizational website.

This is a common tactic used by scammers to collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals.

Misleading Engagement: The post has generated significant engagement on Facebook, with some users believing it to be legitimate. However, others have raised concerns, questioning its authenticity and seeking verification from GCCI.

Past Similar Scams: This is not the first time fraudulent posts have circulated online, falsely claiming that institutions like GCCI or the AfDB offer large sums of funding to individuals and businesses.

The claim that GCCI is offering $600 million in funding in partnership with the African Development Bank is false.

The post is part of a scam attempting to mislead the public. Malagen advises individuals to verify such claims through official sources before providing any personal information or engaging with suspicious links.
Always verify funding opportunities on the official websites or social media pages of relevant institutions.
Be cautious of online posts directing users to unverified links, especially Google Docs or form-based applications.

Report fraudulent posts to the relevant authorities to prevent others from falling victim to scams.
For accurate news and fact-checks, follow Malagen.

04/03/2025

Fact Check:

Claim: Was university and tertiary education free under former President Yahya Jammeh?

Source: Almamy Gibba, Member of Parliament for Foni Kansala Constituency

Verdict: False

During a prime-time radio show, Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio, Almamy Gibba, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala, made several claims while discussing The Gambia’s 60th Independence anniversary and other national issues.

Gibba asserted that under former President Yahya Jammeh’s administration, money was spent efficiently, the country was safer, and armed robberies and burglaries were less frequent.

What exactly did Almamy Gibba say?
At the 7:11-minute mark of the interview, Gibba claimed:
“Education was free. Gambia College does not pay, and university and other tertiary institutions were free too.”

Verification:
While basic and secondary education was free under Jammeh’s administration, Gambia College was not entirely free.

Malagen reached out to both government-sponsored and private students who pursued various diplomas at Gambia College during that period.

Government-sponsored students confirmed they did not pay tuition and even received a monthly stipend. It must be noted that this was the practice even during the first republic under Jawara.
Private students, however, reported that they were required to pay tuition fees, meaning education was not universally free at the college.

Additionally, tertiary institutions such as:
The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) (now known as the University of Science, Engineering and Technology - USET),
The Management Development Institute (MDI) (now known as the Civil Service University)
were never tuition-free during Jammeh’s presidency.

Gibba also claimed that university education was free under Jammeh. This is false. While Jammeh pledged in 2016 to introduce free university education starting in 2018, this promise was never fulfilled during his administration.

Another False Claim:

Gibba further said that armed robberies, particularly bank robberies, never occurred under Jammeh’s rule.

This, too, is inaccurate;

In 2014, an armed robbery took place at a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Bakau, where robbers struck in broad daylight.

The claims made by Almamy Gibba are false. University and tertiary education were never entirely free under President Yahya Jammeh’s administration.

While government-sponsored students at some institutions received free tuition and stipends, private students were still required to pay fees.

Additionally, the assertion that armed robberies never occurred during Jammeh’s tenure is also false, as incidents of armed robbery were recorded.

18/02/2025

As the Gambia marks another year of independence, we reflect on the resilience of our people and the journey towards true sovereignty.

Independence is more than a date, it is a commitment to justice, accountability and the freedom to determine our own destiny.
At Malagen, we stand for truth, transparency and the power of an informed citizenry.
Our role is to hold power to account and amplify the voices of the people.

A free Gambia is one where knowledge empowers, governance serves and justice prevails.
Together, let’s safeguard our democracy and build a future defined by integrity and opportunity.

Happy Independence Day, Gambia!

22/01/2025

Factsheet: The Gambia Passport Issuance and Application Process
This factsheet provides a clear and concise guide to simplify the passport application and replacement processes for Gambian citizens, whether residing at home or abroad.

By breaking down the steps, detailing the required documentation, and addressing potential challenges, it informs citizens about how to navigate the system efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

The issuance and replacement of Gambian passports are regulated under the Immigration Act CAP 16:02 Volume IV Laws of The Gambia 2009.

● Section 4A: Grants the Director General of Immigration sole authority for passport issuance and replacement.

● Section 4B: Outlines the eligibility and required documents for obtaining a Gambian passport.
Eligibility and Requirements

To acquire a Gambian passport, you must:

1. Complete the prescribed application form.
2. Provide the following documents:
○ Birth certificate.
○ Four passport-sized photos.
○ National identity card.

3. Submit a declaratory form signed by any of the following:
○ A magistrate.
○ A civil servant (Grade 10 or above).
○ A justice of the peace.
○ A notary public.

Types of Passports
● Machine Readable Passport (MRP)
● Biometric Passport
Passport Categories
1. Diplomatic Passport
2. Service Passport
3. Ordinary Passport

Fees
● Biometric Passport: D3,060.00 (Payable only at ECOBank).
● Machine Readable Passport (MRP): D3,050 (Payable only at Guaranty Trust Bank).
Application Procedures
Ordinary Passport (MRP)

The MRP passport is also designed for Gambians living abroad who wish to obtain a passport while residing outside the country.
1. Obtain and complete a passport application form.

2. Attach copies of supporting documents and two passport-sized photos.

3. Pay the prescribed fee.

4. Submit the form and documents in person or through a close relative (if necessary) for an interview and processing.

5. If applying from abroad, submit the application to the nearest designated Gambian embassy.
Ordinary Passport (Biometric)

1. Pay the prescribed fee at any EcoBank branch to collect the application form.

2. Attach copies of supporting documents.

3. Submit the completed application form and documents in person for an interview and biometric enrolment.

Replacing a Lost Passport
To replace a lost Gambian passport, you need to:

1. Obtain a police report from the location where the passport was lost.

2. Submit a sworn declaration (affidavit) detailing the circumstances of the loss.

3. Complete an application form for a replacement passport with attached supporting documents.

4. Appear in person or through a close relative (if necessary) for an interview.

Emergency Passport
For Gambians who lose their passport or become stranded abroad, Gambian diplomatic or consular services can issue an Emergency Passport to enable the individual to return home.

Additional information
● Ensure all supporting documents are accurate and up-to-date.
● Application fees are non-refundable.
● Processing times vary depending on the type of passport and individual circumstances.

31/12/2024

As we close out the year, we’re reflecting on a critical issue that affects millions of girls worldwide: period poverty.
Our latest investigation reveals the harsh realities that many young girls face when it comes to menstruation and education.

For countless girls, not having access to affordable menstrual products, proper sanitation facilities, or education about their own bodies leads to missed school days, dropping out, and limited future opportunities.
Read the full story on our website.

https://malagen.org/investigations/the-big-story/stained-by-period-blood-girls-are-pushed-out-of-school/

26/12/2024

After years of struggle, the victims of Yahya Jammeh’s regime are moving closer to justice. Recent legal developments signal a major step forward in holding those responsible for human rights abuses accountable. This explainer breaks down the key milestones and what it means for the victims still seeking justice.

https://malagen.org/indepth-reporting/the-special-tribunal-explained-as-jammehs-victims-move-closer-to-justice/

29/11/2024

Malagen Insight.…
The full podcast coming soon!

21/11/2024

The polio virus as a highly infectious virus can cause permanent leg paralysis as rapidly as within a few hours of infection.
Read this fact sheet from Malagen to know more.

https://malagen.org/factchecking/fact-sheet-why-every-gambian-child-needs-polio-vaccination/

13/11/2024

Did you know that out of 18,042 registered WASSCEA candidates from The Gambia, only 2.30% secured 9 credits.
Read more on https://malagen.org/analysis/factsheet-performance-of-gambian-students-in-wassce-2024/

07/11/2024

30/10/2024

This article aims to thoroughly analyze the audit report, detailing potential financial losses and implications on the public funds.

By Kaddy Jawo The recently published National Audit report, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, found that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) may have misappropriated public funds totalling three hundred sixty-eight million, thirty-five thousand, eight hundred nin...

27/09/2024

Read as malagen debunks Barrow's latest misleading claims at the united Nations General Assembly
Read more on; https://malagen.org/factchecking/presidents-unga-claim-no-political-prisoner-since-2017-is-misleading/

18/09/2024

Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay suggested that the price of a bag of ‘Sadam’ rice is cheaper in the provincial town of Basse than in the Kairaba Avenue area, a claim debunked by Malagen media monitoring as false.

Kaddy Jawo Claim: Saddam rice is cheaper in Basse than on Kairaba Avenue. Source: Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay Verdict: False Appearing on the State of the Nation radio programme aired on GRTS Radio on September 5th, 2024, the Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila…

13/09/2024

By Kaddy Jawo The West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have been released with more than 18,000 Gambian registered students took the regional standard test to conclude their secondary education level. In this factsheet, we analyse the public data provided by the Min...

22/08/2024

According to an indictment file obtained from the US district court of Colorado, Correa was part of jungulars who participated in forcefully eliciting evidence from the alleged 2006 coup plotters. In the process, he did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate, and agree with others to commit torture specifically intended to inflict severe physical and mental pain and suffering.

Come September, Michael Sang Correa, one of the most prominent members of the former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s special assassin team ‘jungulars’ is set to appear before the US court in Colorado. Correa, now 45, was indicted by the US Justice Department on seven counts…

10/08/2024

Day two of the Malagen-UNESCO training on hate speech and digital literacy for high school students.

09/08/2024

Open Media Center in partnership with UNESCO continues its training on Digital literacy and hate speech for high school students in all regions of the Gambia.

The three days training aims to educate students/young people on online safety and how to identify, eradicate hate speech and cybersecurity techniques.

10/07/2024

Malagen in partnership with Think Young Women organized a Town hall meeting on the state of sexual and gender based violence in the Gambia, at Tamala Beach Resort.

The event supported by the US Embassy and the Freedom House through USAID ,seeks to raise awareness on the issues of gender based violence in relation to recently published stories by Malagen on sexual abuses/ harassment.