Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 017/2007, 12-13 February, 2007
Editorial
A SECOND ADVICE ON HIV/AIDS TREATMENT IN THE GAMBIA
Foroyaa first raised the question: Has a cure for HIV/Aids been found or are
those living with HIV/AIDS being assisted to cope with the illness through
good nutrition, control of opportunistic infections; elimination of stigma and
better environmental and psychological conditions? We called for clinical
tests to be done.
Dr Mbowe told GRTS that clinical tests have been done and that the results
of the viral loads have been received since 4th February 2007. According to
him, 9 people infected with HIV/AIDS had gone through the treatment. He
indicated that five people have undetectable viral load, one patient has moderate
viral load and three patients have high viral loads.
Apparently, Dr. Mbowe is convinced that HIV/AIDS now has a cure. Infact, the
treatment is continuing.
The issue of HIV/AIDS cure is a scientific one. It is irresponsible for us
to merely give opinions. What is of profound importance is a scientific
opinion.
Since, the world community maintains that there is no cure, the WHO has a
duty to act with speed to set up a committee of relevant medical scientists to
come to the Gambia to take part in the investigation and then inform the
world community whether a cure for HIV/AIDS have been found. Any delay in
setting up such a committee of scientists would be a sign of irresponsibility and
insensitiveness to the plight of those living with HIV/AIDS in The Gambia, in
particular and the international community, at large.
The moment to act is now not later. The debate on international radio should
be followed by scientific enquiry which is the only method appropriate to
validate or invalidate a scientific phenomenon.
SIDIA JATTA AND THE C. J. AT THE N/A
GONE ARE THE DAYS OF IMPUNITY
The Chief Justice took his seat to preside over the election of speaker.
Section 99 of the constitution dissolved parliament a day before the first
session. Hence there was no speaker or deputy speaker.
The constitution made it a requirement for the speaker and deputy speaker to
be elected before any business is conducted during the first sitting. The
Chief Justice is empowered to preside over the election of the speaker before
he/she hands over to the elected speaker. The constitution makes it a
requirement for the speaker and deputy speaker to be elected from those nominated to
be members of parliament. To select a speaker, the standing orders of the
National Assembly calls for four procedures to be followed.
First and foremost there must be a proposal made by a member of parliament
that a particular nominated member be elected.
Secondly, the person must have a motion that the person he or she proposes
take the chair as speaker or deputy speaker.
Thirdly, the proposal and motion must be seconded.
Furthermore, if another person is proposed and the motion for him/her to
become speaker seconded, the Chief Justice shall cause the Independent Electoral
Commission to conduct election. If only one person is proposed and seconded
he/she shall be automatically called upon to take the chair of speaker.
The Bantaba Syndrom at the Assembly
The main problem of the opening session is the partisan nature of the
gallery. The gallery did not give the National Assembly the quietness and serenity
it called for in standing order 40. Standing order 40 is categorical in
asserting that “Clapping shall not be permitted in the Assembly.” Hence Hon.
Tombong Jatta rose to nominate Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay to be speaker there
was uproar from the gallery. Sidia Jatta rose to object to the uproar and
further referred to standing order 2 paragraph 3 as the procedure to be
followed. He also pointed out that the nomination of Hon. Jahumpa had taken place
even before the sitting.
The Chief Justice expressed his agreement but added that the failure to
adhere to the procedure to the letter did not make the process fatal.
In her address she mentioned that the days of impunity are gone. In this
regard we must ask: Will the partisan character of the gallery continue? Will
the executive continue to make decisions that the National assembly is
exclusively empowered to make? Will the praise singing continue in the National
assembly? Will GRTS continue to focus on the MPs of the majority as it did during
the first session? The future will tell whether the days of impunity are
gone.
MEDIA COVERAGE OF N/A ELECTIONS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
By Amie Sanneh
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has called on the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) to encourage the private media to take a more proactive role in
covering elections, especially during campaign periods. GPU also urged IEC to
remind GRTS of its duty to be fair and equal to all parties as stated in the
Elections Decree.
The call is contained in a 34 page report on the media monitoring exercise
of the 25th January 2007 National Assembly Elections which was presented last
Friday at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) Conference Hall.
The report of the findings indicates that GRTS engaged in bias reporting and
coverage during the campaign period, as well as during newscast in favour of
the ruling APRC candidates. “The APRC had a whopping 10,980 seconds airtime
during newscast thus giving them an overwhelming time advantage as opposed to
the UDP 600 seconds and NADD 60 seconds. No mention was made of the NRP
candidates or party during the news,” it states. The report further indicated
that the calls to “vote for APRC” were repeatedly aired on GRTS during
newscast. This, the report stated, could be interpreted as undue advantage to the
APRC Party. However, the report’s findings indicated that there was no negative
presentation of any party on the state medium. The report nevertheless
pointed out that GRTS Television gave APRC an edge over the opposition in terms of
air time space as APRC stories had footages whereas all news items relating
to the other parties/ independent candidates were mainly press releases and
none had a positive story. It was either an arrest or remand in the case of the
UDP and the withdrawal of candidature for independent candidates.
According to the report, newspapers play a greater role than electronic
media as they serve as a better outlet in terms of coverage of political parties.
Notwithstanding, the report pointed out that only Foroyaa and The Point
covered report on all political parties. The Daily Observer clearly showed its
slant towards the APRC, (a) by publishing a greater number of positive stories
and (b) by featuring all other parities negatively. The report however
indicated that although Foroyaa interviewed candidates from all parties, the report
said that the number of interviews are not reflective of the number of
candidates per party. There is a favourable slant towards NADD candidates the
report added. The Point, the report mentioned, is the only paper which sought
both sides of the story in articles regarding the UDP. On the side of Daily
Express, the report singled it out as the only paper which carried a reflective
post election based on statements that were made prior to the elections. “It
should also be noted that articles on the opposition or Independent candidates
were not carried during this period. Coverage was only limited to the APRC,”
it stated. It also blamed the Media houses for not engaging in voter’s voice
reporting and the under representation of youth activities in relation to the
elections. “Violence was contained in the few assault cases and arrests,
detention of candidates and their supporters. Very little investigative
journalism was reflected in the findings,” states the report. The findings of the
report, among many, recommends to the IEC to set up a group of eminent persons
as proposed in the IEC’s media rules. This, the report believes, could allay
fears of prosecution and intimidation of the private media and still enable
media practitioners to abide by the Elections Decree.
The report also recommends for the IEC to encourage respect for the Media
Code of conduct drawn up in September 2006 by Media practitioners and the IEC.
It recommends for the encouragement on the use of the right of reply
especially during the blackout period, based on a broad consultation with all
stakeholders in order to avoid political exploitation from all political parties
while ensuring the right of reply in a timely fashion. The report further
recommends the IEC to work with the GPU, media houses and other institutions to
broaden the scope of Media Rules and together come up with a penalty system
where Media houses fail to comply with these rules.
The private media, the report added, should take a more proactive role in
the coverage of elections and local governance by making maximum use of
training supported by the IEC, GPU and other partners.
Finally, the report recommends for the training of journalists in elections
reporting to be encouraged or supported.
STAFF OF DoSA YET TO BE PAID
Staff of the Livestock Department under the State Department of Agriculture
are yet to be paid their January Salaries.
According to the staff who spoke to this reporter, they used to receive
their monthly salaries before the end of the month but this time around, they are
yet to receive their salaries and have not received any explanation.
According to them they cannot say what is responsible for the delay of their payment
of salaries but that they suspected that it is caused by the re-structuring
of the Department of State for Agriculture.
When this reporter contacted DoSA for comment, he was told that the SoS was
on a meeting and that when the Permanent Secretary was also contacted, he
(PS) said he was on a meeting but promised to call this reporter on his mobile
after the meeting. When this reporter called the following day Thursday to
find out, he was told that the Permanent Secretary had gone on trek and that the
Secretary of State at a cabinet meeting. Foroyaa would publish their
comments, once we get in touch with the DoSA.
COURT ORDERS LAWYER’S ARREST
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Sarjo Camara Singhateh
The Bundung Magistrates Court on Friday the 9th February 2007 issued an
arrest warrant for Lawyer Emmanuel Chime and Kemo Balajo. This arose, when Lamin
Ceesay, counsel for Graham Kith applied for the arrest of Messrs Chime and
Balajo. Graham Kith testified in court that he had paid 1,000 pounds sterling
to Mr. Chime as legal fees and also deposited 188, 000 dalasi for the process
of business registration and documents. He said he later noticed, that only
145,000 dalasi was accounted for.
The plaintiff stated that after writing to Chime, he (Chime) replied that he
had done the job for him. Kith also said one man came to him and identified
himself as Kemo Balajo, from the President’s Office, asking him to surrender
his business documents. Kith said he had asked Balajo to prove his identity,
but Balajo showed him a card which he doubted because as he said he was not
sure whether the picture was a true representaion of Balajo.
Handing down the order on Friday, Magistrate Moses Richards said that the
court is satisfied that the acts complained against Emmanuel Chime and Kemo
Balajo amount to criminal acts. Mr. Richards accordingly ordered the immediate
arrest of the duo, with a view to investigating and preferring criminal
charges against them.
COMMODITY PRICES AT SERREKUNDA MARKET
By Isatou Bittaye
ITEM CURRENT PRICE
February 2006
Rice per bag D540.00 - D585.00
D420.00
Rice per cup D3.00
D2.25
Tomato per spoon D1.50
D1.00
Tomato per 400g tin D20.00
D15.00
Tomato per 830g tin D35.00
D30.00
Fresh tomatoes per measure D5.00
D2.00
Onion per bag D510.00
D260.00 Onion per measure
D5.00 D2.00
Cooking oil container 10 litres D250.00
D275.00
Cooking oil container 5 litres D150.00
D150.00
Cooking oil per cup D5.00
D5.00
Palm oil per cup D8.00-D10.00
D10.00
Pepper per measure D5.00
D2.00
Bonga D5.00
D5.00
Joto D20.00
D10.00
Catfish D25.00
D10.00
Chicken per carton D400.00
D400.00
Chicken per leg D15.00
D15.00
Sugar per bag D725.00
D450.00
Sugar per cup D5.00
D5.00
Meat beef and bone D75.00
D65.00
Meat beef steak D90.00
D90.00
Flour per kilo D15.00
D15.00
Flour per bag D550.00
D500.00
FOCUS ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE GAMBIA
By Suwaibou Touray
In this colomn, we will be engaging in rewriting the history of the Gambia
from pre- independence to the attainment of independence from British Colonial
rule.
We will begin with our history, precisely because we feel that our
youngsters are not genuinely informed about our history in the established
institutions of learning. This column is needed to raise the awareness of the people on
the political situation. It will also help to compare our system with others
to see how we can advance or develop ours. The colomn will also aim at giving
as much information to our readers with a view to helping create what we
would call “critical view of our body politic.”
The column, as I said, will begin from what is considered to be the lowest
level and climb steadily on to a higher ladder even to the stage of political
ideology, etc. This is important because many people are influenced by
political ideology but they may not knowingly subscribe to it or may unconsciously
absorb it for it is part of the opinion received at the time. So we will also
inform our readers on the salient provisions of our constitution relating to
our political system and make an attempt to critique where necessary. For
example, constitutions may bar or out law political violence which is logical
to many people but observing it closely, political theory may also ask if
justification might not be advanced depending on the circumstance, or even what
sort of violence.
Again for example, South Africa under Apartheid denied the majority the
freedom to state their case, and that denial had been authenticated by the
constitution and other laws. So should the oppressed majority or even the oppressed
minority denied the freedoms not have a justification to use violence
depending on the sort of violence and against whom it is directed? So as you can
see, only political ideas can help us to have practical answers to such
questions. Politics and political ideas free us to think critically. It also helps
us to speculate about the future otherwise we are instead trapped into
describing what exists as if what exists never changed.
Our people need knowledge. Our people also need information, and as a small
country, the only weapon, it seems, that is at our disposal against the
political economic, military network comprising states and of course the global
economy is perhaps information and intelligence. Genuine political awareness
will generate the required information and intelligence necessary to make us
more defensive and even skeptical of the justifications of the system which we
have complied with and to make us to even search for alternative political
and social systems.
We must reach that level of political awareness to have the continued
success of our system or otherwise change it if that is what suits us. We want to
make the column interesting and stimulating for readers. This is why we will
be inviting readers to make contributions. Let readers get ready and write to
even debate issues as well as ask questions. That is what will help us learn
together and ultimately not only will it inspire us but also energize us to
practically participate in the decision making process of our democratic
dispensation, which is relatively very young compared to many other countries.
Because of the low level of political awareness all mainly due to two reasons;
Illiteracy and the fact that our nationhood is relatively young, the spirit
of Nationalism is extremely low among the elites and some time almost absent
among the masses of our people. This is precisely what is responsible for
politicians reverting to tribalism, sectionalism and age old differences to
rekindle the sentiment of the electorates, in the political process for their
selfish interests. This is why only a systematic and painstaking effort will in
the long run uplift us to a genuine democratic transition. See next issue, “
Gambia before nationhood.”
See next issue on Gambia’s Political History.
WHO WE ARE
OKO EXPLAINS
We have now come to the final party of the exclusive interview that Oko
Drammeh granted to Ousman Sillah which touched on a lot of issues regarding music
in The Gambia. It began with the genesis of organised band music spanning
for more than four decades now. In the last issue, Oko expounded on the
statement. ‘Home Is Where The Music Is’, as he, himself, puts it. Now he will be
dwelling on the issue ‘Who We Are’ and why and how we should celebrate and
revitalize our music.
Foroyaa: How do you intend to support the artists?
Oko Drammeh: I can be present in The Gambia and will be willing to repeat
the formula of success that we have in place. That is the quality of
performance must improve. There are many Gambian musicians who know too many musical
instruments and have experience. But, they only know it halfway. With other art
works also, like carving and painting, they know how to do it but they
cannot make the definitive use of the upper level of the Art. Here you need
professional training and education and The Gambians can supply that. Like in
England, USA and Senegal, they make use of the elderly professionals and the
experienced traditional and cultural individuals by integrating them in the Radio,
Television and the ministry and state agencies of culture, the media and all
the way to the international level.
To engage and to make good use of these talents help the country to generate
resources that can be utilised to build the right institutions.
It is very speculative to talk about a music school with fanciful buildings,
air conditioned rooms just for the music.
There should be no reservation for culture. The lives of the people who live
in this country and toil and make it what it is, are yearning for a total
make-over of the present Gambian scene and policy in a new approach called the
Renaissance.
God has given us a history in music and arts. It is in the books. We have
living legends like Bai Ebrahima Janha who is admired by many American guitar
players including the number one Jazz guitarist Eric Gale. Bai Janha was the
spark of the fusion of Gambian music that created the sound of Guelewarr.
There was fierce competition between Guelewarr and Ifang Bondi. This
competition involved every aspect of our society and even the government of the day
was involved in taking sides.
The greatest music compositions, arrangements, vocal purity and big band
formation with backing vocals and singing groups in two, threes and fours were
produced by the Super Eagles with Ousu Njie Senor, Pa Touray and Edu Hafner.
These were one of the greatest trio singers on the African continent. Whilst
people were making noise in Ghana and other places, the world was singing
about the ‘Golden Trio’, Bai Janha was perfecting the sound that produced Musa
Ngum, Abdel Kabir alias Lie Ngum, Mboge and Alas Sissoho. During this period
many Gambian youths were musically talented because it was a time when one can
buy a box guitar in the shops or to even build one for yourself. The guy who
successfully build his own guitar and perfected it to professional standard
and later joined the Super Eagles was Francis Taylor, otherwise Seneme
Taylor, better still, his Ifang Bondi name, Kunon Jarjutay. Seneme is the genius in
The Gambia, the jewel in the crown. He is our Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or our
Ludwig Von Beethoven.
Foroyaa: What can the country do with these great musician?
Oko Drammeh: The Gambia is obliged to treasure and honour Seneme, Bai Janha,
Badou Jobe, Ousu Njie Senor, whilst they are alive. These musicians are
Teachers, Masters and Scholars.
I can testify to my professional experience and knowledge that these people
are at the level of great composers like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder Elton
John, etc. Out of these musicians came many Gambians bands, like the Maga Dan
Band, the ‘Kanku Jerri Band’, the Wild Cats, the Lover’s Band, Oliver and the
Chuckets and the ‘Bag of Fames Band’.
Whenever I walk around in Senegal, I am always asked and encouraged by many
musicians, like Youssou Ndour, Sheikh Tijan Taal, a great composer of the
great ‘Xalam’ band de Dakar, and other music veterans to work for the revival
of the music scene and the trendy styles and mode of fashion that used to fill
the air of The Gambia. Many musicians who visited The Gambia at that time
would always talk about that period as the ‘Golden Days’.
I would therefore encourage anybody who is playing any kind of music or
instrument to continue with it. I myself do like and appreciate every type of
music. The Gambia needs a ‘Cultural Revolution’ that will put music in the
forefront as a marketing tool for this country that will bring about festivals.
Foroyaa: Can you give us the names of these musicians who rendered cultural
service to this country?
Oko Drammeh: The Gambia had produced a long list of musical legends, some of
whom have left us whilst others are still around. All these musical artists
need to be remembered and honoured as true cultural servants. They have
rendered adequate cultural service to The Gambia. These legends include those who
have already passed away in the likes of” Paps Touray ‘Abess’, Malang
Gassama ‘Malando’, Ali Harb ‘Alberr’, Pa Musa Njie ‘Pa Njie Base’, Modou Cham,
Ebrima Jallow ‘Cock’, Oussu Lion Njie, Adama Sallah, Abdoulie Sallah, Njok
Malick Njie (bass guitarist), Ousman Kumba Sosseh ‘Cheks’, Adama Nying ‘Gra
Leese,’ Jimmy Coron, James Eagleton. Baboucarr Fofana ‘Enterr’, and many
others. May their souls rest in perfect peace.
In the same breath, God has gifted us with these living legends in the
persons of the genius, Seneme Taylor, Ousu Njie Senor, the master guitarist; Bai
Janha, Abdul Kabir ‘Lie Ngum’, Musa Ngum, Karamoko Sabally, Samson Gassama,
Pa Alieu Njie (Drums), Musa Njie (guitarist), Ousman Beyai, Sankung Jobarteh,
Sogi Sock, John Campbell, Ebou Touray, Edu Hafner, Boy Njie, Ba Jow Ngum, Cha
Boy Campbell, Pa Boy Cole, Blell, etc. it would be fitting to celebrate
these artists and The Gambia in festivals to commemorate our national
independence days and involving our musicians. This will help in putting Gambian
musicians on the world map.
Foroyaa: What are your plans?
Oko Drammeh: I intend to organise an International Arts Festival Week
involving all works of Arts, historic, modern or contemporary and with the
objective of putting Gambian music on the world map. Every Gambian musician will be
given the chance to show yourself and your talents. Seminars and conferences
will also be organised in due course to enable artists to interact and
elaborate on issues surrounding the Art and how to strengthen it. Later, classes will
also be convened to engage the veterans to teach the young musicians about
the technical details of music, such as, instruments, language chords, notes,
etc.These initiatives for education and training need the involvement of the
state.
I will also be encouraging the production of Arts and musical recordings as
well as Television exposure for each and every Gambian artist and gathering.
Artists will follow the products and news items made on their behalf.
A catalogue of musicians and their productions will be established. This
catalogue is the passport and with it Gambian artists will be covered by the
copyright laws which will be able to generate funds for individual artists to
support their livelihoods.
Another important thing is that Radio Gambia is a ‘Treasure Trove’ of
Gambian music. Radio Gambia has all the recordings of every song and musical beat
produced in this country. Unfortunately this treasure is in tapes that cannot
be perpetually preserved. The national Radio’s archive is the cradle and
embodiment of the rich history and rhythm of the nation. The works of Lalo Kebba
Drammeh, Sunjulu Sissoho, Abdoulie Samba, Jabel Samba, Marie Samyol Njie,
Yamundow Jobe, Fatou Joof, Buteh Boy, Boy Touray (Riti player) Fabala and Banna
Kanuteh, Sana Beyai and Abibou Manneh are all in tapes. The list of talented
artists is in exhaustive.
However, if I am given the chance, I can help in preserving and making good
use of them for the benefit of the nation and artists.
Foroyaa: Finally, Oko, can you tell our readers about Sotokoto?
Oko Drammeh: Sotokoto Music Company was founded in Amsterdam and later moved
to America in California in 1990. Up to today, Sotokoto is a recording
company but also very active in other areas of arts as well. The Sotokoto band is
a session band of African Americans, Africans and other blacks in the
diaspora who joined hands with the American musicians to make a new sound. This was
my idea and the company is mine. It is with the same company that I recorded
the late legendary Paps Touray, the great Abdel Kabir, and the maestro Jaliba
Kuyateh. I am planning a tour to the US with a cast of Gambian musical
Superstars, which will include, if God wills, Bai Janha, Ousman Beyai, Sankung
Jobarteh, Kebba Taylor, Nyaw Nying ‘Drums’, Karamo Sabally and other European
and American Artists featuring the top Gambian singing stars like Musa Ngum,
Jaliba Kuyateh and Mawdo Sey. This is a selection I have in mind to coach and
to present in my next Sotokoto production to represent The Gambia. Gambians
abroad are going to have the opportunity to see musical theatrical performances
in cities across Europe and America. The objective is to engage Gambian
communities around the world to set the stage for a ‘Cultural Night of Gambian
Pride’ showcasing to the world our history, our folklore, our ethnical values,
as well as songs and dances of our lives as Gambians. Something we cherished
so holy and my mother and my father cherished so holy, as well as every grain
of sand that we walk on which is nothing more than the bones and blood of
our ancestors. The Gambians in the diaspora have to take pride and ownership of
these events.
The performance of a Gambian cast at a cultural event depicting Gambian
history that include Kunta Kinteh and Gambia’s role in African history is a
living historical moment to be performed by our artists as a gift to the world. We
will visit every community and try to arrange a performance that will be
remarkable and truly Gambian. It is our desire and we expect every Gambian to
take ownership of these cultural presentations.
Foroyaa: Mr. Oko Drammeh thank you very much for granting us this exclusive
and quite interesting interview.
Oko Drammeh: It’s a real pleasure to share my thoughts with Foroyaa for the
benefit of
my compatriot Gambians.
NB: Ousman Sillah hopes that this interview will generate the positive
effect that we intend the discourse to have by helping us to re-focus and muster
the necessary efforts for the ‘Cultural Rebirth’. The Foroyaa will continue
to talk to those who may have something relevant to say or do in the pursuit
of building a robust cultural identity for Gambian music and that will make it
earn dividend for Gambian Musicians.
Chief Musa Sanyang Nominated National Assembly Member Replaced
The announcement made by the Department of State for Foreign Affairs that
the Chief of Foni Berefet, Seyfo Bala Musa Sanyang had been appointed as a
nominated member of the National Assembly was published by Foroyaa with words of
caution that he could not be Chief and member of the National assembly at the
same time. Interestingly enough, Chief Bala Musa Sanyang is dropped. Hon…
Abdoulie Bojang is nominated in his place instead.
To save the government from any further embarrassment, such decisions should
be done in consultation with the principal legal adviser of the government,
the Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice.
Our reporter however met chief Bala Musa Sanyang at his residence in
Ndemban, Foni Berefet and asked him why he was not present during the swearing in
ceremony at the National Assembly knowing that he was nominated as a National
Assembly member by the President, Chief Sanyang said that looking at the
option of being a chief or a National Assembly member, he preferred to remain as
Chief, because as he said the chieftaincy has a longer term than that of the
National Assembly., provided that one is not corrupt or has not abused one’s
office. Chief Sanyang however said he appreciated the President’s good gesture
and thanked him for nominating him as a National Assembly member.
RVTH X-RAY MACHINE BREAKDOWN
The only National X-ray Machine at Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH)
has a major breakdown since last week.
The breakdown has seriously affected lives of patients who need the service
at the hospital.
According to patients who spoke to this reporter, they have been waiting to
be x-rayed for many days now and anytime they go to the hospital or call
their doctors, they are told that the x-ray machine is still not good. Another
patient told me that he had decided to go to West Field Clinic where he paid
over six hundred dalasis (D600.00) on x-ray alone.
Efforts to speak to the hospital authorities proved futile. However Foroyaa
was reliably informed that the said machine was donated by Mr. Akim Samba,
the proprietor of Breck World Company in 1997 and the machine was manufactured
since 1982.
LACK OF VEHICLES HAMPERS KMC’S EFFORT
By Amie Sanneh & Annia Gaye
The Acting Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Francis Gomez, has
said that his council is seriously faced with lack of vehicles, heavy
machinery and equipment to effectively carry out their noble responsibility as
required in Ebo Town, although KMC wants to do a lot of this.
Mr. Gomez made these remarks at the Ebo Town football field while speaking
at the launching of the UNICEF Gambia Government Country programme of
cooperation 2007-2011 and the launching of the 19 water point project in Ebo Town.
Mr. Gomez stated that KMC spends nothing less than ten million dalasi on
cleansing services and more than half of that amount on water supply provision
every year. “This clearly indicates the importance attached to the provision
of these services by KMC,” he said.
Commenting on the developments made in Ebo Town, Mr. Gomez said in the wake
of the cholera outbreak in September 2005, KMC renovated a whole community
centre which was turned into a cholera clinic by the Health Department, WHO and
UNICEF. This, he noted, contributed to the swift eradication of the cholera
outbreak in the municipality. “This initiative saved many lives,” he
remarked.
Mr. Gomez added that UNICEF in Collaboration with WHO, and the Department of
Water Resources with support from KMC, were able to chlorinate over two
thousand wells in 2005 and 2006 combined.
He however commended the Government and UNICEF for extending water
facilities and connecting nineteen taps, thus providing clean water for over five
thousand people.
KANYIBA KANYI DETAINED FOR 6 MONTHS
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The family members of Kanyiba Kanyi, a supporter of the United Democratic
Party, (UDP), who was arrested in September 2006, have told this reporter that
they still cannot establish the whereabouts of their loved one.
According to family members, they have moved both heaven and earth to know
exactly where Mr. Kanyi is detained but to no avail. Family members expressed
shock over the long detention of their loved one, saying, “We do not know the
necessary steps to take to facilitate the release of our relative or to know
his place of detention.”
It could be recalled that Kanyiba Kanyi, was picked up by plain clothes
officers, who were onboard a taxi at his home at Bontho, Kombo East, on 18th
September 2006. On Tuesday 17th October 2006 (nearly four months ago), Justice
Monageng of the High Court ordered for the unconditional release of Mr. Kanyi,
but the state is yet to comply with the order. Kanyiba Kanyi is a local staff
of the Christian Children’s Fund (CCF).
CHILDREN’S CORNER ABUSE ON CHILDREN
By Amie Sanneh
Keeping children safe from violence and abuse is central to achieving the
Millennium Development Goals and fulfilling the Millennium Declaration. Sexual
exploitation of children for commercial ends is a fundamental violation of
children as stated in the rights of children in the UNICEF’s Media and Child
Protection document.
Sexual exploitation involves sexual abuse by an adult, for some type of
remuneration in kind or monetary benefit to the child, a person or a third party.
The child is treated in such cases as a sexual object. The sexual
exploitation of children for commercial gain is a form of coercion and violation
committed against them and amounts to forced labour and a contemporary form of
slavery.
The media and child protection document which is a guideline for
journalists, highlights three main forms of child sexual exploitation for commercial
gain that exists and are closely linked. They are prostitution, pornography and
sex trafficking, sex tourism, involving children, and early marriage is part
of it.
The sexual exploitation of children for commercial end is one of the worst
forms of child labour as defined in Convention 182 of the International Labour
Organisation (ILO).
The different types of sexual exploitation can be noted as thus:
- Child prostitution is defined as “the use of children by others for
sexual activities in return for remuneration or any other form of consideration;
”
- Child pornography is defined as any representation by whatever means,
of a child engaged in real stimulated explicit sexual activities or any
representation of the sexual part of a child for primary sexual purposes;”
- Sex tourism involving children is a phenomenon in certain geographic
areas. It can be defined as the sexual exploitation of children by persons who
have left their country to go to another country for primary sexual purposes;
”
Tourism in itself is not one of the main causes of exploitation and sexual
abuse; but it is being said that it is without doubt a common practice amongst
those who exploit children and paedophiles to take advantage of tourism
structures (motels, bars, nigh clubs etc) to satisfy their desires.
One cannot identify paedophiles and sexual exploitation of children just by
targeting one sector of society, a particular cultural phenomenon or an exact
location, because sex tourists belongs to all social classes.
In the majority of cases, child sex tourism involves men, married and
singles, who have organised their trips with the aim of seeking out sexual
relations with children. They can also be travellers who are taking advantage of
their anonymity and the fact of being far from the social and moral constraints
of their of their country of origin to abuse children. Often sex tourists
justify their behaviour by claiming that in some countries it is culturally
acceptable, or that it is a form of financial aid.
The tourism industry also contributes to creating a demand by extolling the
exotic image of destination. Even though, in general, sex tourism is informal
and organised between friends or colleagues, there have been cases of
prosecutions against travel agents for having organised trips with a sexual aim.
Another form of sexual abuse is the rape of children. It is defined by the 1999
Law as being an act of sexual penetration of what\ever nature committed on
another individual through violence, constraints, threat or purpose. The act of
penetration, strictly speaking, can be not only an act of sexual union, but
also sodomy or penetration with an object.
CHILD LABOUR – the worst forms of child labour cover all forms of slavery or
practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children,
debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour, involving forced or compulsory
recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts.
- It also covers the use, procuring or offering of a child for
prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performance;
- The use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities
particular for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant
international treaties.
The list of activities identified in Senegal by the ILO as coming under the
worst forms of child labour are:
- Begging done by children on behalf of a third party
- Forced labour or work done in servitude by children on behalf of a
third party (prostitution, pornographic outputs or acts, production and sale of
drugs, illegal activities, etc).
- Taxing labour carried out by children (early or taxing domestic work,
underground works, working at dangerous heights etc).
- Dangerous works carried out by children (dangerous domestic work at a
young age, work exposing children to physical or sexual abuses, manipulation,
transport and use of toxic chemical and biological products etc).
- Public transporting of goods or people carried and by children;
- Slaughtering of animals by children.
- The role of UNICEF is to mobilise partners towards the realisation of
children’s rights and to strengthen the will and capacities of governments to
ensure children’s protection.
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