By Kebba AF Touray
On Monday, June 23, 2025, Gambia’s cabinet ministers addressed various concerns raised by lawmakers during a session following President Adama Barrow’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) delivered on June 19. The ministers provided clarifications and updates on several initiatives and programs, emphasising their commitment to addressing pressing issues facing the nation.
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Bakary Badgie, was the first to tackle inquiries concerning the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI). He admitted that the current number of beneficiaries is limited but emphasised that the initiative is just one among many efforts aimed at supporting the youth.
“Annually, we do the recruitment for Chamen, for young people who are trained in agriculture, and the President International Award Scheme (PIAS). The NYSS conducts recruitment across the board for university graduates and apprenticeship programs,” Badgie stated.
Next up was the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, who addressed the critical issue of science laboratory shortages in schools. She explained that while some schools are equipped with laboratories, there have been challenges regarding the timely replenishment of consumables once they are used.
“What we have had as a sector regarding such issues has been the consumption of consumables, and when they are finished, some of the reports do not reach the headquarters or regional offices for replacement,” Drammeh clarified.
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST), Prof. Pierre Gomez, responded to lawmakers concerning the Sustainable Investment and Education (SIE) Fund. He announced a groundbreaking allocation of D396 million for the fund, which is intended for three main areas, including a grant to improve technical and vocational education training (TVET) institutions.
“The fund will focus on establishing an entrepreneurship and innovation hub within these institutions,” Gomez explained.
Minister of Digital Economy, Lamin Jabbi, shared the progress of ongoing digitisation efforts and stressed the importance of integrating payment systems to facilitate easier money transfers. Following a recent meeting with the Central Bank of the Gambia, Jabbi revealed plans for a subcommittee dedicated to addressing identified challenges in the sector.
Turning to public sector concerns, Minister Baboucarr Bouye discussed the recent salary increases in relation to inflation. He noted that the increments were designed to help workers in lower grades more significantly. “Looking at the increases per grade, the highest increases are in the lower grades,” Bouye stated.
Energy Minister Nani Juwara addressed the issue of reduced electricity connection fees, explaining that this was a strategic move to increase access to electricity, particularly in rural areas.
“This was a deliberate move by the government, in collaboration with partners, to ensure that more people can connect without being burdened by high installation costs,” Juwara remarked.
Fisheries Minister Musa Drammeh reassured lawmakers regarding the distribution of fishing boats and accessories at the Salikene landing site. He clarified that the process was managed without political interference, ensuring transparency and proper allocation of resources.
In his response to lawmakers about the price of fertilisers, Vice President Muhammed BS Jallow confirmed that prices would remain stable as previously stated in the President’s address. He also addressed concerns about the backlog of court cases, noting that the slow pace of court proceedings is exacerbated by manual recording processes, though automation efforts are underway.
Regarding land disputes, Vice President Jallow detailed that the Justice Ministry is currently handling 53 cases and highlighted ongoing innovations aimed at reducing court times, including improved connections to dispute resolution centres.
The session concluded with ministers reiterating their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by lawmakers, with a focus on promoting transparency and accountability within the government. The discussions underscored the dedication of the administration to continue progressing in key sectors affecting the everyday lives of Gambians.
