Ousman A. Marong among 90 Journalists joins Media Foundation for West Africa's launch of Regional Network of Investigative and Public Interest Journalists

Photo of Participating Members during the launch

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has launched the Regional Network of Investigative and Public Interest Journalists (NIPIJ), bringing together 90 journalists from across the region, including Gambian journalist Ousman A. Marong.

This regional initiative aims to strengthen investigative journalism and deepen accountable governance across West Africa. 

The initiative is implemented by the Media Foundation for West Africa with funding from DW Akademie. 

Participants highlighted the imperative of cross-border collaborations to enhance the incidence and impact of investigative and public interest reporting in the region.

This brainchild of the MFWA, with support from DW Akademie, NIPIJ will serve as an umbrella network for investigative journalists across West Africa, fostering cross-border collaboration, enhancing professional standards, and advancing impactful public interest journalism. 

Promoting accountability through regional collaboration 

Speaking at the launch, Dr Kojo Impraim, Director of MFWA’s Media for Democracy and Good Governance (MDGG) programme, described NIPIJ as a significant step toward promoting accountability and transparency in the region. He noted that the network would bring together journalists with diverse expertise to collaborate, share information, and strengthen their capacity to investigate and report on issues of public interest, including corruption and human rights abuses. 

Dr. Impraim added that the initiative is intended to empower journalists to serve the public more effectively and contribute to building informed and resilient societies. Other speakers highlighted the growing risks faced by investigative journalists in the region, including intimidation, legal threats, and financial constraints. 

Mr. Jeorge Kingson Wilson, Executive Secretary of the Private Newspapers and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), described the creation of NIPIJ as a timely intervention that will promote collaboration and support rigorous investigative work across-borders. 

In a solidarity message, Abdulai Awudu, President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), emphasised that the network provides a critical support system, particularly for broadcast journalists, reinforcing both the normative watchdog role and constitutionally guaranteed mandate of the media in pursuing investigative journalism and advancing the public interest. 

Support mechanisms for members 

According to Adizatu Moro Maiga, Programme Manager at the MFWA, NIPIJ will provide a range of support mechanisms for members, including funding for investigative projects, professional development opportunities, and assistance to address legal and safety risks. 

She said the network aims to build a strong community of journalists committed to impactful public interest reporting, while promoting safety, collaboration, and access to resources. 

Commitment to NIPIJ 

The network was officially launched by Prof. Akua Opokua Britwum, Chairperson of Ghana’s National Media Commission, who also delivered the keynote address. She expressed the Commission’s commitment to working with the MFWA for the success of the initiative. The establishment of NIPIJ is expected to enhance regional cooperation among journalists and strengthen the role of the media in promoting accountability and good governance in West Africa.

TIKA's Multifaceted Support Boosts The Gambia's Development

Photo: Ali Kerim, TiKa in The Gambia Office Coordinator

By Ousman A. Marong 

The Country Coordinator of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in The Gambia, Mr Ali Kerim, has highlighted his agency's impactful projects in environment, healthcare, and vocational training.

"We work on practical environmental projects and building institutional capacity," Kerim said on Vibes FM. TIKA trained 47 officials on land degradation and climate resilience, supported Bijilo Nature Park, and is working on Zero Waste initiatives. "Our approach combines environmental restoration with technical knowledge transfer and long-term resilience," he added.

TIKA assesses impact on three levels: direct outputs, functional outcomes, and community-level impact, including trained officials, infrastructure delivered, and improved conservation sites.

Improving Healthcare Services in The Gambia. 

TIKA's Medical Oxygen Generation Plant at Ndemban Hospital has improved healthcare services.

"It means patients can access life-saving oxygen faster. TIKA focuses on sustainability and capacity-building, ensuring facilities can use equipment effectively.

Support for Vocational Training Centres for Youth Empowerment. 

TIKA supports vocational training centres like Kanilai, providing tools for welding and tailoring. "This creates pathways to self-employment and better employability," Kerim said. TIKA plans to continue supporting initiatives that help young people develop skills, seeing vocational training as a key investment in human capital and social inclusion.

Disappointment Over Sale of Mile II Central Prison 

Kerim expressed disappointment over the sale of the country's only central prison. "I felt bad about the news, which came after TIKA delivered equipment and training to the prison,” he said. TIKA would support moving the training centre to a preferred location, but emphasized the need for advance communication. "If I had known, maybe it would have been the other way round. We should now focus on the benefit of the inmates and see what we can do,” he added.

Stranded In Jinack: West African Nationals Pay The Price As Senegalese Smugglers' Business Booms

 

Photo: Migrants along the Jinak river waiting for departure 

By Ousman A. Marong

Dreaming of a better life in Europe and hoping to say bye to abject poverty with the intention of making it to Europe through small boats from The Gambia 37-year-old Innocent Uwecho, a Nigerian national from Niger Delta River State loses D90,000 to Senegalese Smugglers.

Like many young Africans, he was lured by the promise of prosperity and opportunity and the chance to escape the poverty and hardship that plagued his Niger Delta River State.

“Things took a turn when we realized the smugglers had only funded 280 people in our trip. We tried to negotiate with them to stop the journey, but they had already used our money to send the first batch of 150 people to Spain. We were 430 people, and now we are stuck in Jinack. The conditions were brutal as it was snowing, windy, rainy and the sea was on three-meter-high waves. One girl even gave birth in the boat and the captain punished her by pouring water on her sleeping area. We were eventually repatriated by the Moroccan coast guards after trying to sail to Las Palmas.”

In Jinack, being warned by health officials to stop the influx of migrants entering the village, “smugglers would run away” upon receiving information that the Gambia Navy were coming, said Ousman Manneh, representative of the village head (Alkalo). “Smugglers would not come to the village if they heard the Navy was patrolling at sea.”

Photo: Jinak Lower Basic School a hub for 'would-be migrants'

Migrations fueled partly by a mix of push and pull factors including Economic hardship and lack of opportunities in The Gambia. Desire for better living standards and access to services like family ties or aspirations for a better life abroad, has long plagued the West African countries, resulting in mass migration and high death rates at sea.

 As of 2025, the country’s migration death rate is more than 10,000.

 Quelling fears

Seeking to avoid a national health disaster in Jinack, the Senior Regional Health Promotion and Education Officers, at the Essau District Hospital, warned that proper attention should be given to Jinack or else if there is any disease outbreak it could result to deaths giving impetus to other health outbreaks. Currently, the number of would-be migrants' in Jinack is three times more than the population. The would-be migrants' are living in slums under cashews trees along the riverside. There is little or no running water in the village and the would-be migrants openly defecate under cashew trees not very far from the residential areas.

Jinack: A Safe Haven for Migrant Smugglers: How Senegalese Migrant Smugglers See Jinack as a Lucrative Business Centre.

Jinack Island in The Gambia has become a hotspot for Senegalese migrant smugglers, who exploit vulnerable migrants seeking a better life in Europe. The island's remote location with a strong cultural phobia that security apparatus would run mad should they attempt to enter the village makes it an attractive hub for smugglers to assemble and transport migrants to Spain via small boats, often under brutal conditions. Despite increased patrols by the Gambia Navy, smugglers continue to operate, targeting desperate individuals from West Africa with promises of safe passage. These Would-be migrants include Gambian's, Senegalese, Guineans, Malians, and Nigerian nationals of both male and female living together in slums. There are 14 groups of migrants in Jinack and each group totals 280 all living in Jinack making life unbearable for the hinterlands.

List of Alleged Boat Owners

Migrants stranded in Jinack refer to these individuals as scammers’ who are hell bend to sacrificing people. The individuals are Pa Saine from Mayamba in the North Bank Region, Adama Sarr from Betentey Senegal, Amat Ceesay Senegal, Sulayman Diop Senegal, Seedy Jah, Senegal, Amadou Ceesay Senegal and Abdoulie Sange, respectively.

To curb national mass migration, The Gambia government launched multi-layer engagement campaigns in 2023. The aim was to educate, address concerns and promote regular migration awareness for better living conditions.

The campaigns involved collaborations with Migrants as Messengers (MaM), Community Conversations, Youth Takeover, and media engagement to drive mass sensitisation. These efforts helped dismantle superiority and inferiority complexes.

MaM and Migration Information Centres (MICs) act as intermediaries between parents and communities, building trust. Returnee migrants testified about their journeys, sharing firsthand experiences.

“I lost more than D100,000 from the Senegalese Smugglers' and it had cost me financially, morally and mentally,” Amadou Sow, a migrant from Kaolak, Senegal, told this report during a session in Jinack. “I encourage my fellow youths to travel through regular means.

As awareness spread, the government doubled efforts to make proper decisions before migrating through irregular means, especially amongst youths planning to travel via small boat in rural Gambia.

The government is building on progress, working with international partners such as the EU and, IOM to tackle migration challenges.      

By deploying officers to key areas, they are monitoring migration trends, providing support to stranded migrants, and creating pathways for safe and regular migration to ensure there is proactive approach to address irregular migration and ensure Gambian migrants’ safety.

“I am trapped in a cycle of debt and desperation. I spent D90,000 on a small boat that was supposed to take me to Europe, but it's gone nowhere. I am left with nothing, no money, no hope, and an uncertain future. I regret my decision every day, but I can't go back. I'm a victim of false promises and my own dreams.” Amadou Sow, Senegalese migrant.