AGP Executive Report

Food & Tourism: The Gambia is hosting WAFFEST through Oct. 21, bringing chefs from more than 30 countries to Banjul for competitions, training and cultural exchange. The festival could help put Gambian cuisine on the tourism map beyond the coast, while building local skills and livelihoods. Film & Music: The Silicon Valley African Film Festival screened 76 films from 33 countries and honoured Gambian kora virtuoso Sheikh Tejan, celebrating African and diaspora storytelling. Heritage: Gambia-Senegal boundary demarcation has entered its second phase, with National Centre for Arts and Culture archives and colonial maps helping teams locate historic boundary pillars. Community Arts: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng cultural group is seeking support after 35 years, highlighting the challenge of sustaining local performance traditions.

Food & Heritage: The Gambia is hosting WAFFEST through Oct. 21, bringing chefs from more than 30 countries together for competitions, masterclasses and cultural exchange. Organisers say the festival can help build culinary skills and make Gambian food a stronger tourism draw. Gender Justice: The country’s new specialised court for sexual and gender-based violence cases is complete and awaiting inauguration. It is intended to speed up cases, protect survivors’ privacy and reduce delays. African Cinema: The Silicon Valley African Film Festival screened 76 films from 33 countries and honoured Gambian kora virtuoso Sheikh Tejan, putting African and diaspora storytelling in the spotlight. Manding Music: Gambian kora player Sura Susso and Malian guitarist Habib Koité are taking their collaboration on a UK tour, drawing on the griot tradition of passing history and knowledge through music.

Gambian Dance Abroad: Bradford’s BRAVE festival on October 17 featured Gambian dance as part of a celebration of Black arts and culture. Culinary Heritage: The West African Food Festival is bringing chefs from more than 30 countries to The Gambia through October 21, with competitions, training and cultural exchange. Organisers see the event as a chance to promote Gambian cuisine and broaden tourism beyond the coast. African Cinema: Silicon Valley’s African Film Festival screened 76 films from 33 countries and honoured Gambian kora virtuoso Sheikh Tejan. Border Heritage: The Gambia-Senegal boundary survey has entered its second phase, with colonial-era maps and records from the National Centre for Arts and Culture helping locate historic boundary markers.

Gambian Dance in the Spotlight: A Black arts festival in Bradford on October 17 features Gambian dance alongside music, storytelling and other performances, celebrating Black creativity. Food & Heritage: The Gambia is hosting the eighth West African Food Festival in Banjul from October 15 to 21. Chefs from more than 30 countries are sharing culinary traditions through competitions, demonstrations and training, with local voices urging organisers to turn the event into lasting opportunities for Gambian chefs and tourism. Gambian Arts Abroad: Silicon Valley’s African Film Festival screened 76 films from 33 countries and honoured Gambian kora musician Sheikh Tejan, while showcasing stories from Africa and its diaspora. Justice & Remembrance: A UN expert praised The Gambia’s progress in addressing past unlawful killings and urged the government to deliver justice and reparations for victims and families.

Justice & Reparations: A UN expert praised The Gambia’s progress in confronting unlawful killings but urged the government to deliver justice and reparations to victims and families. African Cinema: Silicon Valley’s African Film Festival screened 76 films from 33 countries and honoured Gambian kora virtuoso Sheikh Tejan. Food & Tourism: The Gambia is hosting WAFFEST through October 21, with chefs from more than 30 countries sharing culinary traditions and skills. Organisers hope the festival will boost tourism and create lasting opportunities for Gambians. Food Systems: A new ActionAid study featuring The Gambia says agroecology can improve yields, cut farmers’ costs and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. Griot Heritage: Gambian kora maestro Sura Susso and Malian musician Habib Koité are taking their Manding Melody collaboration on tour, celebrating the griot tradition of passing history and knowledge through music.

Food & Heritage: Banjul’s West Africa Food Festival is bringing chefs and cultural practitioners from more than 22 countries together from October 15–21. Nigeria is sending more than 40 chefs and officials to showcase regional dishes and cooking traditions, with ValueJet offering discounted fares to its chefs. Music & Tradition: Gambian kora player Sura Susso and Malian guitarist Habib Koité are taking their Manding Melody tour to the UK, celebrating griot storytelling and Susso’s new album, Londi. Gambian Food Abroad: A new Hull heritage project will explore how migrant food traditions connect with the city’s fishing history. Founder Dawda Jatta said fish is central to food in The Gambia. Justice & Safety: The Gambia’s completed SGBV special court is awaiting inauguration and is intended to speed up cases and reduce survivors’ exposure to lengthy proceedings. A recent report cited more than 5,000 pending cases. Land & Livelihoods: Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s Wales exhibition includes images of Gambian rice farmers facing saltwater intrusion and shrinking farmland.

Justice for Survivors: The Gambia’s specialised court for sexual and gender-based violence cases is complete and awaiting inauguration. It is intended to speed up cases, reduce backlogs and protect survivors’ privacy, though questions remain about resources and how it will operate. Heritage and Borders: The Gambia-Senegal boundary exercise has entered its second phase, with colonial-era pillars identified using historical records and maps preserved by the National Centre for Arts and Culture. Food and Culture: WAFFEST runs in The Gambia from October 15 to 21, bringing chefs from more than 30 countries together to celebrate West African food and heritage. Keeping Traditions Alive: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support for instruments, costumes and transport after more than 35 years promoting Gambian traditions. Griot Music: Gambian kora player Sura Susso and Malian musician Habib Koité are touring the UK with a new collaboration celebrating Manding music and oral heritage. Trafficking Response: The Gambia retained Tier 2 status in the latest trafficking report; investigations and prosecutions increased, but limited funding and specialist training remain challenges.

Film and Resilience: A new documentary tells the story of the Refugee Dream Center’s founder, bringing refugee experiences and the fight for press freedom into focus. Food and Culture: The West African Food Festival opens in The Gambia, October 15–21, with more than 30 countries expected to share culinary traditions and compete in cooking events. Brikama Heritage: Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support to sustain its 35-year effort to keep Gambian songs, dance and drama alive, especially for young people. Art and Environment: Photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s new exhibition includes images of Gambian rice farmers facing saltwater intrusion and changing livelihoods. Bathurst History: A report on a 1917 colonial palm-wine ordinance explores the drink’s place in the town’s economy. Migration: IOM says arrivals in Europe from The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea and Mali fell 59% in the first half of 2026, while warning that dangerous routes may shift rather than disappear.

Cultural Calendar: The West African Food Festival is set to bring more than 30 countries to The Gambia from October 15–21, with cooking competitions and a celebration of regional food heritage. Keeping Traditions Alive: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group says it needs instruments, costumes and transport to continue promoting Gambian music, dance and drama after 35 years of activity. Art and Environment: Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s exhibition in Wales includes images of Gambian rice farmers facing saltwater intrusion and shrinking fields. History: A National Archives feature traces palm wine’s role in Bathurst-era livelihoods and trade, and the colonial authorities’ 1917 efforts to regulate tapping and sales. National Unity: As the December election approaches, President Adama Barrow has urged Gambians to reject tribalism, amid rising political accusations over ethnic bias.

Food Heritage: The West African Food Festival is set to bring more than 30 countries to The Gambia from October 15 to 21, with cooking competitions and events celebrating regional cuisine and cultural exchange. Cultural Preservation: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group is seeking support for instruments, costumes and transport after more than 35 years promoting Gambian traditions. Gambian Stories Abroad: Nigerian photographer Bukunmi Oyewole’s new exhibition in Wales includes images of rice farmers in The Gambia facing saltwater intrusion and shrinking growing opportunities. Tourism Beyond the Coast: As the 2026/27 season begins, tourism advocates say visitors should be encouraged to explore the country’s heritage and rural attractions, so more communities can benefit.

Cultural Festival: Organisers say The Gambia is ready to host more than 30 countries at WAFFEST, the West African Food Festival, from October 15 to 21. The programme will celebrate regional cuisine and cultural exchange. Heritage at Risk: Brikama’s Keseng Keseng Cultural Group says it has spent 35 years promoting Gambian traditions but lacks instruments, costumes and transport. It is asking government and NGOs for support to keep its work going. Social Protection: SSHFC is preparing to pilot Taye Sama, a new scheme designed to extend social security to informal-sector workers, who make up much of the workforce. Tourism Season: The first direct charter flight of the 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors from London to Banjul. A recent call for tourism to spread benefits beyond coastal resorts highlights opportunities for rural communities and local cultural businesses. History: Archival records show palm wine was an important part of livelihoods and trade in colonial Bathurst and surrounding areas, before authorities proposed restrictions in 1917.

Tourism Season: The first charter flight of The Gambia’s 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors from London to Banjul. The Tourism Board expects more UK flights, while advocates say the benefits should reach rural communities and showcase the country’s culture beyond the coast. African Cinema: The Reffa Film Festival and Awards drew 314 submissions from 36 countries for its second edition, aiming to raise the profile of African stories and filmmakers. Cultural Heritage: A look at a 1917 colonial ordinance traces palm wine’s role in livelihoods and trade in Bathurst, present-day Banjul, and surrounding communities. Girls’ Rights: A new $100 million fund aims to strengthen the fight against FGM. Gambian survivor advocates are urging African-led, survivor-centred action to protect girls.

Tourism Season: The first London charter of the 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors to Banjul, welcomed with cultural performances. The Gambia Tourism Board expects more UK flights, while advocates say tourism gains should reach rural communities and attractions beyond the coast. African Film: REFFA drew 314 submissions from 36 countries for its second edition, with organisers aiming to boost African filmmakers’ visibility and career opportunities. Cultural History: National Archives research traces palm wine’s role in livelihoods and trade in Bathurst, Kombo St Mary and Foni, and how a 1917 colonial ordinance sought to regulate tapping and sales. Girls’ Rights: A new fund aims to raise $100 million to fight female genital mutilation. Gambian survivor advocates say progress needs political will and sustained support for community-led efforts. National Unity: President Adama Barrow urged Gambians to reject tribalism, saying shared work and peaceful coexistence matter more than ethnic identity.

Justice: Nobel laureate Navi Pillay’s career in international law has a direct link to The Gambia: she is serving as a judge in the country’s case against Myanmar over alleged genocide. Ending FGM: Gambian survivor advocate Sophie Mane is calling for survivor-led support as the Her Horizon Fund seeks $100 million to fight FGM and protect girls. Community Life: President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul after a 10-day provincial tour, welcomed by crowds, singing, dancing and cultural displays. Border Communities: The Gambia and Senegal have begun sensitising residents about a border-marking exercise, stressing it clarifies the existing boundary and does not take community land. Girls’ Leadership: Gambian participants joined an African Girls Assembly urging early investment in girls’ confidence and leadership skills.

Child Protection: A new commentary argues that female genital mutilation imposed on children is abuse and should be banned, urging stronger child-welfare protections. Border Communities: The Gambia and Senegal have begun a campaign to explain border densification, reassuring residents it will clarify the existing boundary, not redraw it or take community land. International Justice: South African jurist Navi Pillay has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on human rights and international law. She is an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Mental Health: West Africa remains short of mental-health specialists and funding; The Gambia reportedly spends about 0.5% of its health budget on mental health and has one tertiary psychiatric hospital.

Border Cooperation: Eight West African countries met in Banjul to advance boundary work and regional cooperation. Separately, Gambian and Senegalese officials told communities in Njaw that the border exercise will clarify the existing boundary, not redraw it or take land. Girls’ Leadership: Gambian participants joined Africa’s first Girls Assembly, where advocates called for early investment in girls’ confidence, skills and leadership. Navi Pillay’s Nobel: The South African jurist’s Peace Prize highlights her work on justice and international law; she is also serving as a judge in the genocide case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar. Mental Health: A regional report says The Gambia spends about 0.5% of its health budget on mental health and has just one tertiary psychiatric hospital. Volleyball Coaching: The Gambia Volleyball Federation held a five-day FIVB Level 2 course to build coaching skills and strengthen the sport’s development.