The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of The Gambia has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the circulation of fake news concerning a purported funding opportunity. The Ministry clarified that it has not entered into any agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for an US$ 11 billion funding agreement to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

In a press release, the Ministry expressed serious concerns about the spread of false and malicious information, emphasizing that such practices are detrimental to the public and can lead to misinformation. The Ministry urged the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of fake news to the authorities.

The Ministry highlighted the importance of verifying information from credible sources before sharing it, noting that the spread of fake news can have serious consequences and mislead individuals seeking legitimate opportunities. The Ministry also emphasized that all official statements on major milestones are communicated through press briefings and published on the Ministry’s official website.

The Ministry concluded by warning perpetrators of fake news to desist from such behavior and advised the public to exercise caution and critical thinking when consuming information online.