Soma, Gambia.

09/05/2026

May Allah grant him Jannah 🙏.

Inna lilahi wa-inna ilaihi rajoun
Today, we mourn the demise of one of our greatest and very consistent fans Ba Krubally of Soma Pipeline.

Ba Krubally was a father-figure and an uncle to many at the academy. Whenever, we have a game at the Soma Mini Stadium he would be among the first to take a seat and patiently watch the game as things unfold.

He was religious, kind and respectful. An inspiration to many. He would be definitely missed!

At Hart, we pray that Almighty Allah grant him the highest place of Jannahtul Firdawsi. Aameen yarabii!

09/04/2026

Why GFF President Kemo Ceesay Must Prioritize the Soma Ministadium.

Opinion | Soma Gambia
Newly elected Gambia Football Federation (GFF) President Ba Kemo Ceesay takes office with a clear mandate: restructure the federation and return Gambian football to the international spotlight. If he is serious about that promise, he needs to look no further than Soma.

The Proof Is Already on the Field
Soma doesn't need a pitch to prove a theory — it already has the results.

When the Soma football field was upgraded to a standard playing surface, it didn't just improve match-day conditions. It changed what was possible for young players in Jarra West.

Hart Academy became the first rural team in Gambian football history to reach the First Division.

That single breakthrough opened doors that are now visible on three continents:
Saikouba Jarju is playing top-flight football in Turkey's Süper Lig with Samsunspor.

Ansu Dibba is playing professionally in Sweden.
Lucy Saidy has joined Sierra Leonean First Division side Ram Kamara FC.

None of this happened by accident. It happened because a rural community got a standard pitch and the coaching structure to match it. That is the model — infrastructure first, talent follows.

Location Is an Asset, Not an Afterthought
Beyond the results, Soma has a geographic advantage few other towns can claim: it sits almost at the very center of the country.

A standard ministadium there would be within reach of players and clubs across the Central River Region and beyond — not concentrated, as so much football investment has historically been, in and around the Greater Banjul Area.

A centrally located ministadium doesn't just serve Soma. It serves the whole of rural Gambian football.

The Case for President Ceesay
President Ceesay has pledged to rebuild the federation and restore Gambia's standing on the international stage.

Soma has already shown what that rebuilding looks like when it's done right at the grassroots.

Investing in a standard ministadium there isn't a request for special treatment — it's a request to scale up something that is already working.

If the new GFF administration wants proof that grassroots investment produces international-caliber players, it doesn't need a pilot program. It needs to look at what Soma has already done, and build on it.

Soma Gambia

09/03/2026

Mansakonko Regional Administration Identifies New Dump Site Between Soma and Seno Bajonki.

The Mansakonko Regional Administrative Office has identified a new dump site located between Soma and Seno Bajonki.

An inspection team led by Regional Chairman Landing B. Sanneh visited the site and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing clearing works at the new location.

Waste management has been one of the biggest challenges facing the administration, but the identification of this new site is expected to significantly improve sanitation efforts and help keep Soma clean.

09/03/2026

FT: Sitaba FC 1-1 Angalfuta FC in the ongoing Jarra West District Nawettan.

08/30/2026

Mansakonko Area Council Unveils Five-Pillar Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.

Mansakonko Area Council has launched its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, a five-year roadmap aimed at strengthening local governance and improving livelihoods across the region, in partnership with ActionAid International The Gambia and the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

The plan sets out a vision for "a just, inclusive and resilient Mansakonko Area Council" where all residents, particularly women and youth, can enjoy their rights and live in dignity. To achieve this, the Council says it will work closely with communities, partners, and institutions to strengthen local governance, promote sustainable livelihoods, and ensure equitable access to quality services for all.

The strategy is built around five key pillars:
Governance – Improving local governance, transparency, and service delivery.

Livelihoods – Diversifying local revenue and expanding economic opportunities for women and youth.

Water and Environment – Ensuring safe water, improved sanitation, and environmental resilience.

Agriculture – Boosting productivity, resilience, and market access for smallholder farmers.
Social Protection – Reducing vulnerability and expanding equitable access to services.

The initiative reflects a growing push by local authorities across the Gambia to align development planning with community needs, particularly in underserved areas like Jarra West and the wider Mansakonko region.

Officials say the plan will guide the Council's development priorities and partnerships over the next four years, with an emphasis on inclusive growth and stronger local institutions.

08/30/2026

Reflecting on the Tenure of Lamin Kaba Bajo
As GFF president, Lamin Kaba Bajo has faced both praise and criticism.

Lamin took a bold step in expanding football in the Gambia by allowing local teams in rural Gambia to play in the third division knockout league, second division, and first division.
During his tenure, Soma was awarded a football turf at the Soma Football Park.

The Gambia also made it to two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Hart Academy FC of Soma became the first football club to qualify for the Gambia First Division League.

On the contrary, Lamin Kaba Bajo started the Soma Mini Stadium, which is still incomplete.

08/26/2026

MKAC IT and Media Officer Travels to China for Climate Action Seminar.

Mansakonko, The Gambia – The IT and Media Officer of the Mansakonko Area Council (MKAC), Mr. Modika Bah, is currently in Beijing, People's Republic of China, participating in a three-week seminar on Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for developing countries.

The programme, which runs from August 24th to September 14th, 2026, brings together participants from across Africa and beyond for a period of intensive knowledge-sharing on climate and development issues.

The seminar is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and organized by the International Cooperation Center (ICC) of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

According to organizers, the ICC is a government institution operating directly under the NDRC, tasked with coordinating international exchanges between governments, institutions, and enterprises.

Its mandate includes formulating cooperation plans, providing policy consulting services, conducting international training programmes, and promoting broader international cooperation.

Mr. Bah's participation is expected to strengthen the Mansakonko Area Council's engagement with global best practices on climate action, offering an opportunity to bring back valuable insights that could inform local development and sustainability efforts within the Jarra West and wider Mansakonko region.

Further updates on the outcomes of the seminar and its relevance to local council operations are expected upon Mr. Bah's return.

08/26/2026

Saikouba Jarjue named among the players of the week in the Turkish Süper Lig.

08/26/2026

Regional Education Directorate Honours Outstanding Teacher and School Administrator.

The Regional Education Directorate has awarded a teacher and a school administrator for their outstanding contribution to improving teaching and learning in the Lower River Region.

The recognition ceremony, held on 25th August, celebrated individuals whose dedication has made a lasting impact on education standards across the region.

Mrs Fatou Colley of Jataba Lower Basic School was named Best Teacher, while Mr Abdoulie Drammeh was honoured as Best School Administrator, both recognised for their exceptional commitment to advancing education in Lower River Region.

The award was established to motivate and inspire teachers and school administrators to continue working hard in improving teaching and learning outcomes in schools across the region.

Speaking at the event, Regional Director Mr Momodou G. Jallow encouraged other teachers and administrators in the region to emulate this example of dedication, noting that hard work and commitment to excellence will not go unrecognised.

The event brought together regional stakeholders, teachers, school principals, and headteachers from across the region, all united in celebrating excellence in education.

08/26/2026

When politicians refuse to debate, it's usually because they don't have real answers.

​Gambia doesn't need more political promises — it needs blueprints. 📋

​Too often, parties roll out "development plans" that are big on ambition but empty on strategy. Take education: everyone promises to fix student performance, but where is the data? Where is the step-by-step ex*****on?

​Real leadership looks like details:

​How many teachers need training?

​Which specific subjects are failing?

​How will progress actually be measured?

​Training alone isn't a strategy — it's just a single piece of the puzzle. Gambia deserves leaders who show their work, not just their slogans. 🇬🇲

​