Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues

Issue No. 41/2005, 26-29 May 2005

Editorial

U 17 VICTORY

National Solidarity And The Way Forward

The solidarity was immense. The spirit of Nationalism was injected in many hearts. Everybody wished the team well. The President offered money to motivate the players. The people offered their solidarity in Radio Talk shows, Television programmes and by paying to go to the stadium.

Jubilation followed the victory. The celebration is continuing. After the euphoria, the nation must draw the necessary lessons.

First and foremost, the fan who appeared in the field to make the Ghanaians angry should draw the lesson that we can cheat teams of unquested victory by being unthinking. Support should therefore not lead to unexpected behaviour.

Secondly, the nation has tasted the joy of unity. This should therefore lead to the opening up of Gambian society so that nothing would divide our people on the basis of political affiliation, tribe or language grouping, religion, gender. We should make our nation move just so that our diverse people will be united.

Furthermore, everything especially money that is necessary to promote the welfare of the future of the young people should be planned.

May be providing them with houses for their families and pay their way into colleges and polytechnique institutions, to have knowledge and skills would be the best way to reward them.

FOROYAA congratulates the whole nation and call on them to move from victory in the field of sports to victory against ignorance and poverty to promote general welfare.

WHO KILLED DEYDA?

Who killed the late Deyda Hydara, the former Managing Editor and Editor of the Point Newspaper? This question still remains illusive, even to the security forces, it seems. After five months of investigation the Department of State for Interior have issued a press release which gives no clue on who murdered Deyda Hydara. Below is the full text of the press release:

PRESS RELEASE ON THE REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION ON THE SHOOTING INCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF MR DEYDA HYDARA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND CO-PROPREITOR OF THE POINT NEWSPAPER AND THE WOUNDING OF TWO FEMALE MEMBERS OF HIS STAFF ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2004

The National Intelligence Agency (N.I.A) which took over the investigation into the shooting incident leading to the death of Mr Deyda Hydara and the wounding of Mrs. Ida Jagne Joof and Miss Nyansarang Jobe, two female members of staff, has submitted an interim report on the investigation to inform the Government of The Gambia and the public at large of the outcome of the investigation so far.

Mr Deyda Hydara, aged 58, Managing Editor and Co—proprietor of The Point Newspaper, was shot dead by .an unknown assailant or assailants between the hours of 22.00 hours and 00 hours on Thursday night 16th December, 2004 while driving a Mercedes Benz vehicle along the Sankung Sillah Road. Onboard the vehicle at the time of the incident were Mrs. Ida Jagne Joof and Ms. Nyansarang Jobe, both of whom sustained injuries suspected to have resulted from gun shots.

In the course of the investigation by the Gambia Police Force a couple of suspects were arrested, detained, questioned and later released without being charged and statements were obtained from a dozen other Individuals. Since the investigation by the Gambia Police Force provided no substantive leads, the office of The President gave directives for the investigation to be transferred to the National Intelligence Agency (N.I.A).

On the receipt of the directives on February 8, 2005, the Director General, NIA, immediately constituted a team of investigators to vigorously pursue the investigation, exhorting them to do their utmost and not leave any stone unturned in their endeavour to search for, identify and apprehend the attacker(s) of late Deyda Hydara and the two members of his staff.

The NIA investigation included interviews and questioning of a number of people including police personnel, journalists, family members and friends of the victims, employees of the Point Newspaper, and examination of newspapers and other documents, such as telephone print-outs, bank accounts and contract documents.

While the only two eye-witnesses, Miss Jobe and Mrs. Jagne Joof were admitted at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital the police were denied access to them by the hospital authorities, who granted access only to members of family and media. The two ladies were shortly afterwards whisked off to Dakar, Senegal for treatment. Eventually the Gambia Police investigation team succeeded in making arrangements with the media fraternity and the Senegalese authorities, through the Senegalese High Commission in The Gambia, to interview them in the hospital in Dakar. The subsequent interview could not be properly conducted due to the presence of Senegalese security personnel, journalists and interpreters. Given the importance of interviewing the two eyewitnesses under conditions that would allow them to provide information freely, a formal request to facilitate such an interview has been addressed to the relevant Senegalese authorities, through the High Commission In The Gambia, and faxed to the
 journalist Federation Headquarters in Dakar and copied to the Gambia Press Union (GPU).

The NIA investigation team believes it is imperative for the two eye-witnesses to be interviewed. This would assist the investigators in following up certain leads relating to Late Deyda Hydara’s personal, relationships and. interactions. The investigation team believes also that it is incumbent on any member of the public with relevant information to come forward and assist the investigators to bring those responsible for the death of Deyda Hydara to justice.

The investigation continues and the numbers 9966550 and 7779595 remains open to the public.



Dated the 24th day of May, 2005



DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR THE INTERIOR

OAU BOULEVARD

BANJUL

3 TRIED FOR MAKING FALSE ID CARDS

By Pateh Baldeh

The case involving Mamadou Drammeh and Bubacarr Bah, two Gambians, and Mr. Cathal Omaolain, an Irish national continued on Tuesday 24th May 2005 at the Brikama Magistrates Court presided over by Magistrate Bucacarr Jawo. The three accused persons are charged with conspiracy to make false documents. Testifying before the court, the second accused person, Bubacarr Bah, pleaded not guilty, saying that did not make the identity cards; that he has no machine to make such, and he is not an immigration officer. He told the court that he is representing a JP. He also told the court that people come for help to get ID cards and when they come, they bring D100, which he gives to the people to issue ID cards. He told the court that he worked at the immigration for 3 years but had never made any false ID card.

Mr. Bah told the court that the 3rd accused person, Mr. Cathal Omaolain, made the ID cards for him, but he did not know that he was going to scan them for him. He said the 3rd accused person told him that he had a problem with the NIA and had been under detention for 8 months and he had nothing to pay for food or shelter. He told the court that the 3rd accused person pleaded with him when he visited him at his home in Faji Kunda, to help take care of his needs, due to his condition and that on that day, the 3rd accused borrowed D100.00 from him. He told the court that he has been taking care of the 3rd accused person for 6 months.

Mr. Bah told the court that one Inspector Touray had cautioned him of the 3rd accused but when he told the 3rd accused, the 3rd accused told him that that he can send people who need ID cards to him, the third accused, to collect their ID cards. He informed the court that from then on, he has been referring people to the 3rd accused person for their cards, noting that this was how they have been working till the time they were caught. Mr. Bah said that when they were arrested and detained, the third accused person denied having a computer, but that he, Mr. Bah and the second person, convinced him till the third accused person managed to convince him to take them where the computer was kept.

At The National Assembly

DoSE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF THE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOROYAA has been publishing the report of the National Assembly Select Committee on Education and Training submitted to the Assembly for approval. In the last issue, FOROYAA published revelations of the report on the University of The Gambia. We continue with the university in this issue.



It reveals that fees paid by Gambians annually (in Dalasis) and foreign students (in US$) enrolled in the four faculties are as follows:

Faculty Gambians Foreigners



Medicine and Allied Health Science 18,000 3,000

Science and Agriculture 16,000 2,500

Humanities & Social Sciences 14,000 2,000

Economic & Management 14,000 2,000



The report goes on to reveal that through the open scholarship fund, government sponsors 400 students and is supposed to pay their tuition fees and stipends of D4,000 for each student. The report states that the disbursement of tuition fees by government for sponsored students have been irregular and unsatisfactory. The table below provides a breakdown of the disparities between actual fees and stipends payable and actual amounts received from government.


Scholarship Amount Paid and Allocated



Year Amount in Dalasis

2002 Amount allocated 4,840,000

2002 Actual fees and stipend 7,398,000

Difference 2,558,000

2003 Amount allocated 5,000,000

2003 Actual fees and stipend 7,498,000

Difference 2,498,000

2004 amount allocated 6,000,000

2004 actual fees and stipend 6,888,000

Difference 888,000



The report reveals that the payment of the other sources of income, the subvention, is equally fraught with problems and that subvention, which is paid on a quarterly basis, is always well below allocation in the approved budget, and the persistent funding gaps have necessitated continuous resort to overdraft facilities to maintain basic services. It indicates that an analysis of the picture in respect of payment of fees, stipends and subventions confirms that the levels paid by government annually are always substantially below budgetary provisions and that the total arrears on fees and stipends owed to the University in 2005 is D5,944,00 and that in spite of reconciliation with DoSE, payment has still not been effected.

See next issue for continuation.





EX-CIRCUMCISERS CALL FOR

ABOLITION OF FGM



By Amie Sillah

Some ex-circumcisers have called for the abolition of FGM while maintaining the cultural practices associated with it. This became evident at BAFROW’s Annual Review meeting held at Kampant, Foni Kansala.

The Gambia is moving slowly but surely towards the eradication of FGM. Thanks to the work of women’s rights activist organizations. Ex-Circumcisers all over The Gambia formed an umbrella association. They have pledged to put down the knife and join the campaign to stop the harmful practice of FGM. It is exciting and commendable. Bravo BAFROW!

The NAMs were earlier on sensitized on the Protocol by GAMCOTRAP at Tendaba. They promised to revisit their reservations on the Women Protocol. Recently also the National Assembly Select Committee on Women and Children made a tour of the country advocating for the eradication of FGM and other harmful traditional practices. The future is bright for The Gambia. "Una well done O! Una well done!"

The activity started on the 15th May at Kampant, Foni Kansala with a report of activities of selected health promoters at the divisional level. On the 16th May, report of activities continues with discussions on the way forward. 17th May, General Assembly meeting. The Director of BAFROW, Fatou Waggeh made the opening remarks. She applauded the initiative of the ex-circumcisers. She asked them to be steadfast and never to turn back to the harmful practice again.

The Chairman of BAFROW Board, Alkalo Alhagie Luntang Jaiteh of Bakau made some remarks. He traced BAFROW’s struggles in the past, the smear campaign from the supporters of FGM. But he admitted that now things are changing with all the positive developments. Alhagie Luntang is referred to as BAFROW’s father. BAFROW’s mother, Mrs. Ajaratou Fatoumata Jah spoke on similar lines. She urged the ex-circumcisers to be steadfast in their resolve.

The President of the Association of Ex-Circumcisers also made a statement. She spoke about their activities in the community, sensitizing and advocating for the abolition of FGM and also harmful traditional practices.

Discussions at the Assembly: FGM and Islam, Oustass Kalifa Jammeh, an eloquent speaker true to his faith and religion. He said FGM is tradition, not religion; that Islam is against all harmful practices. He said that Islam encourages diversity in knowledge; that medical and health professionals, religious leaders and other agents should harmonize their messages in order not confuse the public. Oustass Kalifa lamented the low level of literacy of women. He said that Sharia gives rights to women. Oustass Kalifa touched on the duties of husbands towards their wives such as clothing, shelter, food, marriage conjugal obligation and dialogue between partners. He said marriage should be based on consent. "A woman can choose a husband. That is acceptable in Islam. Islam also recognises legal marriage," he said. He urged scholars to make research on topics before expressing views on them. He said before when they freely express their views they were labelled as being bribed. "We just try to
 be honest educators and are doing our duties as prescribed in the Quran," Oustass Kalifa emphasized.

The next speaker was Amie Sillah. She spoke on FGM and Gender. She spoke on the three main forms of FGM i.e. Clitoridectomy, Excision and Infibulation. In each of them women and girls suffer pain, stress, trauma, bleeding, shock and long-term psychological and physical complications.

She spoke on other gender issues such as child betrothal, forces / arranged / early marriage, forced wife inheritance and witchcraft levied against old poor women accused during FGM ceremonies. She gave some recommendations; that the National Assembly should remove the reservations the Women Protocol to safeguard the interests of Gambian women and children; that women rights and gender based NGOs should be given the conducive environment to operate and supplement government’s efforts; that sensitization is the primary concern but sanctions are also needed to safeguard the vulnerable.

The rights of women and children was dilated on by a state counsel, Mama Fatima Singhateh. She cited the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACRWC) and the Gambian Constitution. She said although there is no specific law against FGM but there are other laws in the Criminal Code e.g. assault, etc that can be used to deal with FGM. She advocated for sensitization. She believed that when people are adequately sensitized women would safeguard themselves and their children.

18th May, the Association mapped out the development of strategies for sensitization and work plans at divisional level.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. It is slow but sure. When the vision is clear the mission creates the path.

DOUBTS OVER GAMBIA PETROLEUM

REFINERY COMPANY

By Surakata Danso

With barely less than a year since President Jammeh made a declaration of the availability of petroleum in The Gambia, oil companies are being registered at the office of the Registrar of Companies, at the officer of the Attorney General. One such company is the Gambia Petroleum Refinery Company Ltd. The shares of the company are distributed as follows:

1. Gambia Government – 20 %

2. Petrass Company (Nigerian owned) – 10 %

3. Global Finance Gambia – 10 %

4. Danba Company Ltd (Nigerian owned) – 60 %

In a similar vein, the Gambia Petroleum Storage Company is 99 % foreign owned. Only 1 % is owned by a Gambian, Amadou Samba.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORT

READY FOR SUBMISSION

By Surakata Danso

The parliamentary enquiry which was set up in 2004 to look into the way and manner in which the Assets Management and Recovery Corporation Ltd was operating from 1994 – 2004 is expected to submit its findings to the National Assembly in June 2005.

This disclosure was made to FOROYAA by the Chairperson of the said committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Miss Belinda Bidwell in her office on the 24th day of May 2005. According to the Deputy Speaker, the committee is in the final stage of the completion and compilation of the report; that upon completion, it will be submitted to the Speaker, a copy will be made available to all the National Assembly members before the start of the next sitting.

Readers could recall that the AMRC was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1991 to recover the properties and monies of over 400 creditors of the former Gambia Commercial and Development Bank (GCDB).

INSPECTOR OMAR JAWO ARRESTED



By Pateh Baldeh

The former Station Officer of the Brikama Police Station, Chief Inspector Omar Jawo is said to be arrested. He is in the custody of the CID branch of the police in Brikama. Three months ago the inspector was transferred from the Brikama Police Station to the Bansang Police Station. His arrest has alerted many residents of Brikama as rumours of his arrest spread like wild fire in Brikama Town. Inspector Jawo is said to be under arrest since Thursday the 19th of May 2005.

According to reliable sources, reasons for his arrest have been spelt out as his involvement in the ongoing cattle theft case in the Western Division; that he Jawo gave his photograph and a letter to the cattle rustlers to enable them get safe passage.

APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE

We (the entire Ceesay Kunda Family) deeply regret to write to you appealing for either financial or logistical support to facilitate Isatou Ceesay’s overseas Medical treatment.

Isatou is a Grade 7 girl at St Peter’s Junior Secondary School. She was involved in a road traffic accident on the 24th day of February 2005 .Isatou sustained a fracture of the clavicle and was also unconscious for a long time. At the moment, she can’t eat by herself. Also she can’t walk because she complains of a painful left knee. She talks but with some difficulty.

A medical board report on her suggests for a CT Scanning for a proper diagnosis of her condition. But there is no CT Scanner in the country. The report also recommends her for further investigation and treatment. Without the brain scan done and a proper neurological assessment, complications may develop later in her life. In that case it would be too late.

Isatou’s family cannot single-handedly sponsor the CT Scanning and the possible treatment out of the country. We are therefore appealing to individuals, charitable organisations and the general public for financial or logistical assistance so that we will all see Isatou going back to school.

We count on your usual cooperation and assistance. All assistance can be directed to:



Lamin M. Ceesay

(Isatou’s eldest brother)

Busumbala Village

P.M.B. 337 Serrekunda

The Gambia

Tel: 4473749 / 9811726 /9807626

A Major Cause for Concern



By Sarjo M. Camara

The abolition of the Death Penalty is a major concern for both government and non governmental organisations (NGOs) on the African continent. On Sunday 1st May, 2005 a round table conference was held by NGOs on the death penalty in Africa, especially countries which practice it. Different contributions where delivered at the conferences, by different countries and most of the deliberations were based on Article 7 of the Charter which said amongst other things that every individual shall have the right to be heard. This comprises: the right to an appeal to a competent court of law and the individual should be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court or tribunal: the right to defence, including the right to be defended by counsel of his choice; the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal; that no one may be condemned for an act or an omission which did not constitute legally punishable offence at the time it was committed. It was
 also indicated at the conference that no penalty may be inflicted for an offence for which no provision was made, at the time it was committed and that punishment should be personal and can be imposed only on the offender. The NGOs also declared that some of these countries use the Islamic law or political motive, to execute people without free and fair trial. On Egypt, Mr. Hossam Bahgat, the Director of Egyptian Initiative for Human Rights is based on different categories amongst which crime is: virginal penetration, crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism and the military court. He said that some of them are killed instead of facing fair trial; that in the Upper Egypt, some 20 Christians were killed, based on Islamic laws. He also indicated that in the past 15 years, people died because of torture, that the Islamic law kills murderers and those who commit adultery. He called on the commission to reach the African Union to educate Magistrates to stop sending their own
 citizens for execution without fair trial.

On Tanzania, Harold Sungusia of the Legal and Human Rights Center of Dar es salam, also spoke on their case. He said that the death penalty is against humanity and blame it on the weak judiciary on the continent. He said that legal practitioners should be sensitized on the preciousness of human life. He pointed out that some of this accused persons wait endlessly for trial and that when they come to be tried, they are not given fair trial. He indicated that the provision of legal aid is very expensive.

He further stated that since their new President came to power he had not executed anyone but during their national day he would pardon other prisoners except those waiting on the death row. He said South Africa abolished death penalty but it was alleged that they wanted to revise it, although the authorities denied it.


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