Saho Slams Politicisation of D50 Million Women’s Enterprise Fund, Says It Belongs to All Gambian Women

Sulayman Saho, National Assembly member for Badibou Central

By Seedy Jobe 

The National Assembly Member for Central Badibou, Hon. Sulayman Saho, has criticised the recent launch of the D50 million Women Enterprise Fund, warning that the initiative is being improperly politicised.

Hon. Saho stressed that the fund was established by an Act of Parliament in 2020 and should serve all Gambian women, not supporters of any single political party. He cautioned against portraying the fund as a partisan initiative.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, the lawmaker explained that the sources of financing for the Women Enterprise Fund are clearly outlined in law, including allocations approved by the National Assembly, as well as donations and grants.

“The Gambia Women Enterprise Fund was created by an act of parliament in 2020. The source of funding is very clear ranging from monies allocated by parliament, donations, or grants. Mr. President the fund belongs to Gambian women not NPP women alone”, he stated.

Hon. Saho further warned against using the fund for political advantage, arguing that public institutions and national programmes must be kept separate from party activities.

“It should not be politicised, nor launched at your political bureau. Let us separate party politics from our work as representatives of the Republic,” he said.

The Central Badibou legislator, who also serves as the United Democratic Party’s National Organising Secretary, also advised Salam Enterprise to disassociate itself from what he described as politically tainted schemes.

“My advice to Salam Enterprise is to distance themselves from this kind of scheme and learned from past commissions,” he noted.

Emphasising the need for transparency and respect, Hon. Saho concluded that Gambian women deserve empowerment initiatives that uphold their dignity and provide clear, honest information to the public.

“Gambian women need a more dignified life than false presence. The Gambians need more clarification”, the statement concludes.