The Government of The Gambia, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States Commission, has inaugurated the region’s first National Misinformation and Disinformation Response Centre aimed at tackling the growing spread of false information.
The facility, launched on 25 April 2026 in Banjul, is expected to strengthen efforts to protect the integrity of the information space, rebuild public trust, and safeguard democratic processes from digital manipulation and misleading narratives.
Speaking at the event, Vice President Muhammad Jallow and ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray underscored the strategic importance of the centre, describing it as a major step in confronting disinformation across the sub-region.
According to officials, the centre will support early warning systems, enable real-time fact-checking, and enhance cross-border collaboration among member states to curb the spread of false information.
They stressed that the initiative is not intended to censor content, but rather to ensure that citizens have access to accurate and verified information.
Authorities believe the move marks a significant milestone in West Africa’s response to the increasing threat posed by misinformation in the digital age.
