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Story perspectives

850 Residents in Gambian Town Face Statelessness Crisis

4/7/2026

31 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

About 850 of 900 residents in Ghana Town, The Gambia, lack citizenship and official identification.
The lack of ID hinders access to education, healthcare, and employment.
The village was founded by Ghanaian fishermen in the 1950s.
Gambian law does not recognize citizenship for people born to non-Gambian parents.
Madi Jobarteh (human rights expert) advocates reforms to prevent statelessness.

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Story summary

About 850 of 900 residents in Ghana Town, The Gambia, lack citizenship and official identification.
The lack of ID hinders access to education, healthcare, and employment.
The village was founded by Ghanaian fishermen in the 1950s.
Gambian law does not recognize citizenship for people born to non-Gambian parents.
Madi Jobarteh (human rights expert) advocates reforms to prevent statelessness.