In a vibrant ceremony symbolizing unity and shared purpose, the Ghanaian ECOMIG contingent and the Gambian authorities inaugurated the newly expanded Banjul-Barra Ferry Terminal Mosque on Saturday, March 30, 2025. The project marks a significant milestone in cross-border cooperation and interfaith harmony.
The initiative was spearheaded by Ghana’s Lt. Col. Abraham Pourigelle Dery, who transformed a modest worship space into a spacious sanctuary to accommodate the terminal’s growing Muslim community while strengthening diplomatic ties between Ghana and The Gambia.
The project began in July 2023, when Lt. Col. Dery visited the terminal and discussed community needs with ferry director Abdoulie Tambedou, noting the mosque’s limited space and capacity during his tour of the project.
Dery, who committed himself to help expanding the structure, stated: “This isn’t just bricks and mortar; it’s a testament to our shared values of peace, solidarity, and mutual respect.”
The Gambia Ferry Services director praised the Ghanaian team for their swift execution of the facelift of the mosque, saying the project was completed in under a year despite logistical hurdles.
“The photos prior and after speak volumes,” he remarked, vowing to preserve the mosque as a “spiritual heirloom”.
Albert Ospona, a member of the Ghanaian team, was recognised for his role in coordinating roofing and ambulance access, playing a crucial part in streamlining the construction.
Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie highlighted the project’s dual significance: deepening bilateral relations and fulfilling Islamic tenets of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity).
He quoted the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, emphasizing that “building a mosque blesses” generations. “Each prayer here echoes eternally for its benefactors,” he stated.
The minister also spotlighted the strategic partnership between Ghana and the Gambia, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance regional stability through grassroots initiatives.
The upgraded mosque now accommodates over 50 worshippers, featuring improved facilities for daily prayers and community gatherings.
As dusk fell, the call to prayer resonated across the terminal, marking not only a structural achievement for divine purposes but also a beacon of hope and blessing.
“This mosque unites faith and fellowship. It’s proof that when nations collaborate, communities thrive,” remarked community Imam Kebba Fofana, saying that with pledges to replicate such projects, Ghana and The Gambia have reaffirmed their commitment to a future built on shared faith and mutual progress.
