Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 117/2007, 5 - 7 October, 2007
Editorial
What Have they to Offer the Downtrodden?
The rate of unemployment in The Gambia is high. The ranks of the unemployed
continues to swell. The masses engage in all sorts of things to make ends
meet.
A countless number are engaged in petty trade. Those with stalls in the
market often hope that by rendering support to the ruling party their ownership
of stalls is secure, but this has proven not to be the case.
Local government authorities do issue eviction orders and demolition of
canteens at markets without offering canteen owners alternatives. The latest
example is the Soma market at which six canteen owners have been given eviction
orders without any option. The six canteens will give way to a supermarket.
The livelihood of six canteen owners and their families and dependants are now
at stake.
The visually impaired are also facing a similar fate. As part of the
downtrodden of society many of them rely on handouts for survival.
But this is becoming more and more difficult to come by. They are being
increasingly pushed into small corners away from the sight of visitors and
therefore collect less money. Hence their misery increases.
Indeed, it is more embarrassing and ridiculous to prosecute visually
impaired persons because they were begging than to allow them to beg in the street.
The most recent case reported by a newspaper involves the prosecution of 7
visually impaired beggars at Bundung Magistrates Court on offences related to
begging in the streets.
The interview that Foroyaa conducted with beggars revealed that they are
willing to work for a living than to beg. Has the government offered them
alternatives or are they planning any alternatives for them that will free them
from begging? That will pay more dividend than to arrest and prosecute them.
NIA Interrogate
Shyngle Nyassi
By Modou Jonga
Reports reaching Foroyaa have it that Mr. Momodou Shyngle Nyassi, a resident
of Brikama and a staunch supporter of the opposition United Democratic Party
(UDP), was on Thursday 27 September, 2007 invited for questioning by
personnel of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at their headquarters.
According to sources, Mr. Nyassi was questioned for few hours before being
released; that he has been reporting to the NIA headquarters after his
release. The reason for Mr. Nyassi’s interrogation remains unclear.
When contacted, Mr. Shyngle Nyassi said he was called and asked to report to
NIA headquarters. He said that he was invited for questioning, but he
declined to comment on what he was questioned about and why he was “invited” at
the NIA. Mr. Nyassi however explained that he was informed by two NIA personnel
that he is needed at the NIA headquarters and that upon his arrival was told
that he is being invited for questioning. He also confirmed that he was
questioned and released, but was asked to be reporting at the NIA headquarters.
SOS Musa Bala Gaye Clarifies
By Suwaibou Touray
Following recent developments on the economy which witnessed the abrupt and
continuous appreciation of the dalasi against all the other foreign
currencies and the corresponding stagnation of the prices of commodities, this author
had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Musa Gibril Bala Gaye, the secretary of
State for Finance and Economic Affairs.
Foroyaa: The people are happy with the depreciation of the foreign
currencies but are not happy because they have not seen the expected corresponding
impact, i.e, price reduction on basic commodities, what is the problem?
SOS Gaye: The problem here is definitely the time lapse, i.e the period when
the trader gets his or her exchange rate of the dollar and the time the
goods or commodities arrive in the shops. This is the time lapse. But I believe
the price reduction will come.
Foroyaa: Can you give any estimated time as to when the ordinary man can
expect such a reduction?
SOS Gaye: No definitely, it will eventually come but I cannot give time, but
it will come because the common man is definitely entitled to that.
Foroyaa: The interesting thing is that the Dalasi started appreciating
against other international currencies since last year. If you remember the dollar
had gone up to D28 and the Euro to D38 and the exchange rate fluctuates
between D35 and D36 for the Euro and D27 and D28 for the Dollar almost for a year
but despite that the reductions in commodity prices have not been noticed?
SOS Gaye: Well, you know the Euro has not been utilized much in
international trade. What most traders are using is the Dollar. Most imports are done in
dollars not Euros, so it is the Dollar which is crucial in this case.
Foroyaa: Again the Dalasi surprises many people because one would expect our
exports to grow to generate the much needed foreign exchange for the
country, but looking at it, our main cash crop, the groundnut, has virtually not
been exported. The cotton too has not gone at all. The Tourist season has
actually not starrted yet. So what is the secret behind the Dalasi’s success?
SOS Gaye: Well, you know there are many reasons to it. What you have
mentioned are contributing factors but as you said we also have remittances from
Gambians abroad etc but we cannot dismiss other factors such as speculation.
You also have to consider the macro-economic stability as well as the GDP
growth etc. There is a strong macro-economic stability and we have a lot of
foreign exchange. So it is the demand which is not outstripping the supply.
Foroyaa: You know that The Gambia highly indebted and we have to pay what is
due in foreign exchange and my understanding is that Gambia is not receiving
balance of payments or Budget support from the outside which can all put
pressure on the Dalasi for demand to outstrip supply, so how do you solve that
problem?
SOS Gaye: Well you know the Central Bank of The Gambia has reserves. So even
though we do not have Budget support we pay debts due through the Central
Bank reserves.
Foroyaa: Thank you very much for your time.
SOS Gaye: It’s a pleasure
Canteen Owners At Soma Face Eviction
By Yaya Dampha
The roadside canteen owners in Jarra Soma are dissatisfied with the council’
s eviction order given to them recently. According to Mr. Kasim Fadera, an
affected businessman, they (the shopkeepers) were issued with a notice to
vacate the land.
The vacation notice was given to them on the 13 June 2007, and it was signed
by the CEO of Mansakonko Area Council. The third paragraph of the letter
stated that “the area is going to be used as a bank, which is more of a national
development issues.” Mr. Fadera said, they felt that the council had fooled
them by writing a notice to them indicating that the land will be issued to
a bank; that on the whole the land was to be given to another individual
businessman.
When contacted, the governor of L.R.R Modou Soma Jobe said he was the one
who approved that move, adding “the new owner will build a supermarket on the
land.” He denied that the land was sold for two hundred and twenty-five
thousand dalasis, but failed to say how much they sold it for. He said that
temporal canteens can be taken back any time for other purposes. When our reporter
put it to him that the shopkeepers said they were on this land since 1989 and
had shown receipts dating from that year to 2007, governor Jobe maintained
that that is not an excuse for them to refuse eviction. Efforts to speak to
the CEO and Chairman Mansankonko Area Council proved futile.
Omar Ndow’s Trial
Pw4 Testifies
By Abdou Jeli Keita
Sarjo Ceesay, the Secretary to the Gamtel board of directors who is also the
fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Omar Ndow, a former
Managing Director of Gamtel, has on Thursday 4 October testified at the Banjul
Magistrates court .He said as the Secretary to Gamtel’s board of directors, he
knows something about the “C.D.M.A” and “I.M” and the role of the G.P.P.A.
He said the G.P.P.A was set up by an Act of Parliament to oversee the
purchasing and awarding of contracts by Government Parastatals, and approving and
disapproving of projects.
He said budgets are prepared annually for Gamtel; that Gamtel’s management
discuss the budget and agree on it, after which it is passed to the board of
directors. He said if the board approves the budget, it goes to the finance
department, and if the finance department is satisfied with the budget, then
it will be passed to the president’s office for approval, and if the president
’s office approved it, it comes back, following the same “road” to Gamtel.
He added that, he would not know if the “C.D.M.A” and I. M. were approved by
the GPPA
While under cross examination by defence counsel Sheriff Tambedou, Ceesay
said the C.D M.A and I.M started as a pilot project in 2005 with 10,000 lines
and it costed Gamtel $686,000.When asked by the defence counsel if he was
aware of advertisements by Gamtel of the Jamano phone, he said he was aware of
it. He added that he would not know if the Jamano phone was a good thing or
bad thing became he is not an engineer. He added that people would have thrown
it away if it were not good. The trial is adjourned to 10 October 2007.
Bravo To The IEC For Local Govt Elections, But….
By D. A. Jawo
There is absolutely no doubt that all Gambians, apart from the very few who
are personally benefiting from the status quo, would welcome the decision by
the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to set a date for the next local
government elections.
Indeed, the time for the elections was well overdue. We can recall that the
last local government elections were held in April 2002, and according to the
Local Government Act, the elections were due in 2006. However, here we are
at the end of 2007 and the old councils (or what still remains of them after
several of the elected mayors and councillors have been sacked) are still
operating.
Therefore, under the circumstances, by the time the elections are held next
year, it would have been almost two years the councils are operating without
any new mandate from the people.
Indeed, for most of the councils, such as the Banjul City Council, Kanifing
Municipal Council and Brikama Area Council, the regime had even
unceremoniously removed their elected mayors/chairmen and replaced them with people of
their own choice. The executive has failed to take cognisance of section 23 of
the Local Government Act which states: “Where an elected member of a Council
ceased to hold office under section 19 to 22 of this Act, a by-election shall
be held within two months to elect another person to replace him or her;
except that where he or she ceased to hold office within six months before the
end of his or her tenure of office, no by-election shall be held.”
In view of such a scenario therefore, one would wonder whether it is indeed
really worth anyone’s time and resources to contest for elections for any
office in the local government structure when one can easily be removed by the
executive. This is certainly not going to encourage the people to come out to
vote when they are convinced that their choices are not respected by those in
authority. It is therefore hard to see how the low turn-out recorded during
the last National Assembly elections can be reversed under such a cloudy
atmosphere.
We have for instance seen what had been happening at the KMC when the
government had to even appoint someone outside the elected councillors as acting
mayor, which is certainly against both the letter and spirit of the Local
Government Act. We have also seen what has happened to the elected opposition
councillor for a ward in Bakau, Ousman Rambo Jatta, who has indeed been detained
incommunicado for more than one year. Even a court order for his release has
been flouted by the authorities, which I believe is just because he is an
opposition councillor.
If this is not jungle form of politics, then one would wonder what else it
could be. This type of illegality is certainly not doing any good to the
credibility of the type of democracy being practised in this country. It is
therefore quite hard to see how the donor partners and other agencies would
continue to help this country with its decentralisation process when there is such
intolerance of any opposition views and those in authority blatantly refuse to
play according to the rules of the game.
Once again, what has been going on is a clear manifestation of the regime’s
total disregard for the rights of Gambians to hold views contrary to those of
the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC)
party, particularly at the local government level. It appears that their only
objective is to have only those they can easily control and manipulate at every
level of the local government structure, rather than those who represent the
genuine wishes and aspirations of the people.
As all Gambians have an equal stake in the development of this country, it
is quite unfair to treat those with different political views with such
disregard for their basic rights and privileges. This sort of attitude is certainly
not helping to steer this country on the right path of peace and prosperity
that we all wish it to go. This is no doubt why The Gambia has been placed 22
on the recent African governance index released by the Mo Ibrahim
Foundation, and with such a trend of gang-ho politics being practised, we are
definitely heading for the very bottom of the index.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
POST-1987 GENERAL ELECTIONS;
JAWARA FINALLY CHOOSES CABINET
We have been focusing on politics in this column with a view to drawing
forward the past so as to help the people especially the young ones to be able to
have an understanding of our democratic system and be able to gauge how far
we have gone in achieving a workable and fair democratic system.
We have gone far into the narration of events culminating in the 1987
general elections. We have dealt with the results and the reactions. We have
stopped where we said the opposition resorted to the courts.
Let us start from where we stopped.
The controversy that was debated for two months was Sir Dawda’s refusal to
appoint a new cabinet after the results were announced on 11 March 1987. He
did this on the pretext that since he called the elections earlier than 11 May
by two months, he should finish his term of office before appointing a new
cabinet. This became a hot debate. He first went to the People’s Republic of
China (mainland) on the invitation of that country. According to the Gambia
Times, China then gave a loan of 60 million Dalasis to the Gambia. He was said
to have received a grand welcome from the people of China.
The Nation Newspaper however was very critical of Sir Dawda at the time.
They said the president during his campaign had attacked communism but his first
port of call after victory was communist China. They wondered what principle
the president was applying.
However, this period of suspense, i.e. the lack of forming a new cabinet,
had created uneasiness on the part of those PPP elites who were vying for
cabinet positions. They were said to be at a lost. No one was sure as to whether
one would be given a portfolio or what position one may be assigned to.
According to the Nation, most of those elites within the PPP who were vying for
cabinet posts had been shuttling between Banjul and the country side, some as
far as Cassamance in search of marabouts (soothsayers) who would use spiritual
means to help them influence the president’s decision in their favour when
appointing his cabinet.
By May 11 1987, Sir Dawda finally named his cabinet as thus;
Vice President and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture,
Honourable B.B Darbo;
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Honourable Hassan B. Jallow;
Minister of Finance and Trade, Hon. Sheriff Saikouba Sisay;
Minister of External Affairs, Hon. Alhagie Omar Sey;
Minister of the Interior, Hon. Lamin Kiti Jabang;
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Saihou S. Sabally;
Minister of Local Government and Lands, Hon. Landing Jallow Sonko;
Minister of Water Resources, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon. Omar Amadou Jallow;
Minister of Health Environment Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Louise
A. Njie;
Minister of Works and Communications, Hon. Muhamadu Cadi Cham;
Minister of Economic Planning and Industrial Development, Hon. Mbemba Jatta;
Minister of Information and Tourism –Hon. Dr Lamin Saho.
This cabinet brought news of what the press called casualties when it was
learned that some of the old guards and what they called “the new questionables”
have been thrown out. The result is that Mr. M.C Jallow, former Minister of
Health, Mr. Amulai Janneh, former Minister of Local Government, Mr. L. B.
Mboge, former Minister of Works and Communications, Mr. A.E.W.F Badjie, Former
Minister of Interior and Mr. A.A Njie, former Minister of Economic Planning
and Industrial Development who was said to be rejected by the Serekunda West
PPP supporters as a candidate were all replaced.
The news struck some like a thunderbolt from nowhere. According to the
Nation, a former Minister was said to have fallen quite ill after hearing that he
was dropped from cabinet. Unconfirmed reports, which were heavily relied on
in those days, said his marabout gave him so much assurance that he would be
re-appointed and as such, the failure was more than his psyche could
accommodate. The two new ministers coming from the ranks of the parliamentary
secretaries were Mr. Mbemba Jatta of Gunjur and Dr. Lamin Saho of Central Baddibu.
Mr. Omar Sey was a backbencher but was as the Nation put it, unprecedentedly
appointed straight to the position of External Affairs without the usual
apprenticeship in serving as parliamentary secretary.
Mr. M.E Jallow, a trade unionist, was also appointed as a Nominated member
in the House but suddenly died before his appearance in the House. He would
have been the first person to represent trade union interest during the first
Republic after the late Edward Francis small in the then legislative council.
According to the Nation, the appointment of the late M.E Jallow was believed
by some as a reward for his support for the SeneGambia confederation while
others maintained that it was as a result of pressure to recognize the Gambia
worker’s union that was banned by the Government in the late 70s. One
noticeable absence was that of Dr. J.S Palmer in the list of nominated members,
which was a surprise to many educated Gambians at home and abroad who were
following his contributions in the House.
According to reports, he was one person who refused to be bogged down by the
consideration that he was nominated by the president and therefore was
obliged to promote government policy whether or not it served the interests of the
people. J. S Palmer, the Nation said, asked potent but relevant questions
which many within government circles were uncomfortable with. The Nation
clamoured that no attempt should be made to neutralize concrete, constructive and
sincere criticisms; that if history were to be repeated, then sad events
loomed ahead.
The Nation ascertained that the reason why Africa was in turmoil is because
of economic and social dilemma accompanied by suppression of democracy. It
opined that the resultant effect is a conglomeration of what they called “yes
men and yes women”, surrounded by dangerous opportunists supporting autocratic
power in this country. One good thing that occurred after the swearing in of
the president on May 11 was when Sir Dawda granted Amnesty to 24 Prisoners
connected with the 1981 rebellion, but it had been sadly noticed that the NLP
leader, Pap Cheyassin Secka, was not included.
According to reports, during the swearing- in ceremony at the Maccarthy
Square, thousands of spectators converged but an intriguing thing that occurred
was, whilst PPP supporters and sympathizers were expressing and emphasizing
their unflinching support for the PPP government, others were at the same time
shouting the GPP Slogan “Jawara jJippo” yet others were demanding “
accountability on public funds from the government”.
According to reports, the police were with rifles that kept a watchful eye
but did not interfere.
The one bad thing Gambians were struck with was the revelation that the
deadly AIDS Virus have officially been discovered in the Gambia; that about 12
cases have been discovered but 4 patients had already died. It was at this time
that the first international symposium on AIDS was held in Brussels which
marked bitter dispute between African and Western researchers over the origin
of the disease.
See next edition as we delve into issues of later 1987.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
Repercussions of Substance Abuse
By Yaya Barjo
Barbiturates are a group of drugs known as depressant drugs, including
phenobarbitone, amytal, etc. They are used largely as sleeping tablets and for
treating epilepsy. The doctor usually prescribes tham as a sedative (which clams
a person down). They can be abused and used under conditions of wakefulness,
such as at a party, when they cause rapid drunkenness.
Barbiturates are very addictive. They can mix up the users judgment and
cause poor memory, inability to concentrate and unsteadiness. The user can become
confused, walkout onto a busy road and get killed.
Amphetamines such as Benzedrine are widely used as slimming pills and
stimulants which increase the rates of breathing and heartbeat in depression and
tiredness. They are sometimes popular with students who want to be full with
energy to keep awake and study for long periods. Amphetamine users feel that
their thinking has sharpened, but in actual fact what they say and write is
often unintelligent. In addition, amphetamines may cause hallucinations and
withdrawal from reality and the tendency to commit suicide.
Cocaine, another stimulant drug, is a white power also called “coke” or ‘
Snow’. An impure form is known as ‘crack’. It is produced from the Coka plant
which is grown largely in South America. The drug is normally taken by
sniffing the power.
Cocaine is not only dangerous because it is easy to get addicted to, but is
also causes a great deal of harm to the user. It causes stomach pains and
loss of weight, nervousness and difficulty in sleeping. Prolonged used results
in a loss of concentration, a mistaken belief of being troubled continuously
and a feeling as if insects are crawling on the skin. Cocaine is very
expensive, so it is often mixed with cheaper chemicals. They may be impure and cause
a great deal of harm. Very heavy doses of the drug can cause violent
behaviour, hallucinations or even death, though breathing failure or heart failure
can occur.
Opiates such as opium comes from the juice of the opium poppy. It contains
the painkillers Morphine and codeine, morphine had been used for years to ease
servere pain and to suppress coughs.
Heroin is made from morphine and is much stronger. It is a poison and is
normally injected either directly into a vein or under the skin. It is also
sniffed as a power or swallowed. Heroin is very addictive and causes chronic
constipation and loss of interest in food and sexual activity. In women, the
menstrual cycle is interfered with. The high cost of obtaining the drug often
leads to crime and violent deaths. The death rate is high as a result of damage
to the brain, heart, kidneys and overdose (taking too much). Hepatitis and
AIDS can be caused by users injecting themselves with a common hypodermic
needles. Obsession with obtaining a drug leads to inadequate diet and lack of
hygience. Violent death among addicts and dealer are common.
Alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs of abuse serious injure health. It is
therefore an important decision for a young person to decide not to drink,
smoke or use drugs. Many people who do not have these habits are admired for it.
Use of drugs does not make one stronger, smarter or more attractive. A young
person is tougher and clever without them. He or she does not have to drink
or use drugs to have a good time.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
BLACKMAIL, JUSTICE AND SENTIMENT
By Amie Sillah
Part 10
The Rancour
Dad and daughter bickering at each other. The ‘cold war’ turned into a ‘hot
war’ Mama Cynthia joined into persuade Cynthia to drop the case. “Cynthia!
You cannot fight a case against your father! That is undone. How would
society see it?” Cynthia educated her mum “Mama! This is about justice. Sentiment
have to be put aside. My client Mrs. Johnson is innocent. I cannot abandon
her at her time of need. We have enough evidence to win the case. Mum persuade
dad to drop the case. They are fighting a losing battle”. Cynthia argued. “
All the same. Take it easy. He is your dad. I’ll talk to him”. Mama tried to
clam down the situation. Mum and dad were to attend a community meeting. On
the way mama tried to reason with dad who was very upset. He saw his daughter
as being ungrateful and obstinate.
Dad Very Angry
Dad became angry with everyone especially mum. He saw her as being in
collaboration with Cynthia against him. “You are siding with you daughter against
me. But God’s willing you’ll all be put to shame”. Mum retaliated. “I am not
siding with anyone. You have to see reason and drop the case. Cynthia said
you have no case. That they have strong evidence i.e. a recorded tape of your
client”. Dad became agitated. “Nonsense! We shall see! I’ll crush both of you!
” “You are trying to be unreasonable in this case. You want it to be viewed
only through your lenses. You are unfair to me”. Mama protested.
Greg Senior And Senior Advocate
Greg Senior was curious to know the opposing barrister. He asked. “Who is
this psendo champion trying to challenge you?” Senior became sad as he narrated
his story. “It is my daughter Cynthia”. Greg Senior sprang up. “What! Your
own daughter challenging you? That is absurd! Can she be bought?” “No! She
is stubborn and obstinate. She is strong about her principles”. Senior
Advocate argued. “Nonsense! Nobody! I say nobody shunned away from real money. She
is a young lady. She will need things. Say a Porch Car and half a million buck
as a teaser. What do you say?” Greg Senior tried to entice Senior. “Well!
That is good money. I’ll try” he promised. “Now you are talking. Try and get
the tape. Destroy it and your daughter drop the case. It’s a deal. Try and get
to me as quickly as possible”. He ordered.
Dad Engages In Crookery
Dad went behind Cynthia’s back and started searching her place upside down.
Cynthia is smart. Her evidence is kept away from home. She never trusted her
dad. As he searched frantically, Cynthia came into her room and caught him
red handed. She mocked at him. “Oh! What are you searching for? The tape! Dad!
You surprise me. Why are you so frantic to get me drop this case? Why are
you going to this length? What you have done is illegal and I can sue you for
this. It is also an act of dishonesty. You are determine to free a criminal
and I am determined to free the innocent”. Cynthia posited. Dad became
overwhelmed and embarrassed. He softened her tone. He gave Cynthia a half a million
cheque from Greg Senior. “Here take this half a million cheque from Greg
Senior. You need it to replenish your wardrobe and jewelry box. Greg also promise
to give you a brand new porsh car. All at your perusal. What do you say to
that?” Senior awaited Cynthia’s response. Cynthia examined the cheque
thoroughly and returned it back to her dad with strong words. “No dad! My conscience
cannot be bought. Yes! I need a porsh car also to replenish my wardrobe and
jewelry box but certainly not through blood, dirty money”. Dad felt insulted.
He shook with rage. “What! You have now turned into an enemy. My own
daughter into an enemy! We shall see! “He threatened. Cynthia stuck to her guts. I
can never let a criminal go free. My conscience cannot be bought. Am sorry!
You can say whatever you want but I cannot be shaken. I have to protect my
conscience. You choose your way to make your money as a lawyer. Likewise leave me
to carve my own way. I stand for Justice, for the just”. “I’ll crush you in
court. I’ll use my wealth of experience to crush you! It will affect your
career. I’ll teach you the lesson of your life”. Senior threatened. He became
very angry.
The Media
The Media went after the family. The headlines in the Newspapers, Father and
Daughter in a Legal Tussel. Cynthia refused to say anything to the media. “
Meet me in court. You’ll hear everything you wish to know”. “But your father
is a Senior Advocate. He had never lose a case. What have you to say to that?”
“My dad is a Senior Advocate. I respect him for that. But he is to quote
from law books as references. Likewise with myself. As an Advocate, I have to
quote from law books. Then we shall see”. Another journalist asked. “People
say you are an ingrate and an obstinate person. How can you of all people fight
your own dad in court?” “The law knows no sentiments. This is a case of
human rights, rule of law. The guilty has to be punished and the innocent
exalted. I respect my dad. He inspired me. He educated me. This was his duty to me
as a parent. But I also have my duty to my people, to my nation. I am
upholding my principles and my conscience. History will absolve me. I’ll fight to
win but in the process I can also lose. So is life but history will quote me as
doing my very best to my best of ability. That is all what I have to say.
See me in court”.
The Media And Dad
Dad became very arrogant and rude to the media. He blasted them. “I’ll not
answer any questions from you. Come to court you’ll hear me speak”. “But
Sir Isn’t it absurd to engage in a legal tussel with your own daughter?” “Ask
my obstinate daughter who is fighting a legal tussel with her dad not me.
Come to court you’ll hear me out!” He barked at the media. “But Sir! Whatever
the case maybe she is still your daughter!”
Journalists Trained for Broader Scopes on Internet Use
By Baboucarr Ceesay
Within its Action Plan for 2007 to 2009 framework, the Islamic Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), through its Communication and
Cultural Directorate, organised a training session for journalists on the use
of the internet, themed “The use of Internet in the communication sector for
the benefit of journalists” at the YMCA hall, Kanifing on Tuesday 2 to 3
October 2007.
In her welcoming remark, Maimuna Sidibeh, programme officer for Culture and
Education, Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, expressed her delight over
the enthusiastic response of the media practitioners to participate in the
training session.
Sukai Bojang, the Secretary General of Gambia National Commission for UNESCO
(NATCOM), in her opening remarks stated that the training seminar is being
funded by ISESCO and organised by the Gambia National Commission for UNESCO.
She added that ISESCO is committed to supporting member countries in their
capacity building programme in the fields of education, the sciences, culture
and communication. She noted that the organisation has been especially
supportive in the training of Arabic/Islamic teachers and the fight against
illiteracy. She said ISESCO provided support to the television services of the
Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) in the procurement of equipment.
She told participants that ISESCO ‘s action plan for 2007 to 2009, in
addition to human resource development is to highlight the Islamic civilisation’s
active part in the knowledge fields. Adding that redressing the image of Islam
and Muslims in the West and affording the member states access to the
information and knowledge in our society are part of their focus.
For the communication sector, she said ISESCO will contribute towards
bridging the digital divide separating the member states from developed countries.
She indicated that it will also support member states’ efforts in building
the information and communication society, that this training session is being
organised to achieve the objective.
She expressed hope that journalists and future journalists would gain more
knowledge and become more proficient in their field as well as in the use of
the Internet.
Mr.Madi K.Ceesay, President of Gambia Press Union, training consultant and
director of Media Agenda and a resource person at the training, made
presentations on objective writing, responsible journalism, news gathering and
advertising. He emphatically noted that journalists’ obligation is to the public and
no one else.
Mr. Ceesay reminded journalists that they have a duty to give the public all
the facts they need to understand the story. He underscored the point that
journalist are writing for the public and should therefore choose to be fair.
He further reminded journalist to stick to the ethics of the profession and
the standard of best practices.
Mr. Poncelet who delivered a lecture on the use of Internet in
communication, among other things exposed participants to the practical use of search
engines. He encouraged journalists to develop skills in evaluating the accuracy
and reliability of information found in the web.
Delivering the closing remark on behalf of the Secretary General of NATCOM,
Mr. Yaya Jobe, the programme officer for Science at the Gambia National
Commission for UNESCO called on participants to strengthen their links as
professionals.
Dudu Kassa Jaata And Co On Defence
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The trial of Dudu Kassa Jaata and seven others is in full swing at Kanifing
Magistrate Court, presided over by Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke. The
defence continued with its case on Thursday 4 October.
The first prosecution witness, Dudu Kassa Jaata, continued his evidence in
chief. He told the court that his statements were obtained by the police. He
said he is literate and can write his own statements. Mr. Jaata said that he
was not told by the police the reasons why they have to write his own
statements for him. Mr. Jaata was given the two statements but he denied that the
signatures on them were his. The defence counsel Lamin S. Camara argued that the
two statements before the court are not the one his client has made to the
police. Counsel Camara asked the prosecution to provide the court with the
true cautionary and voluntary statements. He said he believed that the
statements before the court are false. “We are prosecuting but not persecuting,” said
Camara. He said his client can produce his national Identity Card before the
court to verify the two signatures. At this point the defence wanted to
tender the ID Card of Kassa but it was objected by the prosecutor.
Sergeant 870 Touray urged that to determine the two signatures they have to
be sent to the handwriting expert for verification before it can be tendered.
Sergeant Touray noted that the accused person admitted before the court
that it was detective Manneh who obtained the statements from him and that
detective Manneh’s name appeared on the statements as the officer who obtained
them.
Defense counsel Camara replied that the objection raised by the prosecution
is “novel,” that is has never happened in the history of the country. Camara
added that the law in the country is very clear in terms of handwriting and
that the Evidence Act is very clear on the procedures to be followed. “The
court has the discretion to admit the documents to confirm the genuineness or
otherwise of the handwriting of the accused before the court”. He cited
section 112 of the Evidence Act to support his claims. He added that if the court
did not admit the ID Card, it cannot determine the genuineness of the
signatures. He cited the treason trial which involved Tamsir Jasseh, Demba Dem and
Omar Faal Keita to back his arguments. Magistrate Mbacke deferred the case to
another date for a ruling on the matter. It could be recall that Dudu Kassa
Jaata and seven others are standing trial since last year for allegedly arming
themselves, using foul words in public and obstructing police officers while
executing their duties, between June and August last year.
Alieu Momar Njie’s Trial
Witness Alleges Harassment
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Alhajie Gibril M.S. Njie, the first prosecution witness in the trial of
Alieu Momar Njie, the former Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, has informed
principal magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrates Court that
after his testimony in court on Tuesday 2 October, he was attacked by the
accused person’s son. Mr. Gibril Njie said he was insulted, pushed and knocked down
on the ground by the sacked mayor’s son. The trial magistrate promised to
take steps by the next sitting date.
Continuing his testimony, Mr. Gibril Njie the Financial Commissioner of the
Scouts Association told the court that the 10,000 dalasis received by Mr.
Alieu Momar Njie from the Scouts of Saudi Arabia was in cash. He said the
foreign exchange rate then was D30 dalasis per dollar. The witness said that Mr.
Alieu Njie told them that out of the amount he had given D84,000 to one Anna
Njie for catering during the ECOWAS Jamboree. He said that only D14, 000 was
returned by Mr. Njie eventhough the Jamboree did not go as planned, noting that
only two of the invited countries made it to The Gambia, namely Liberia and
Sierra Leone. Mr. Gibril Njie recalled that in 2005 the Taiwan Embassy gave
Mr. Alieu Njie 4,000 dollars which was to facilitate the travelling of one
Ousman Trawally to attend a Jamboree in Taiwan. He added that Mr. Alieu Momar
Njie entered into a contract agreement with the Jammeh Foundation to establish
a scouts shop; that the amount of the contract was 20,000 dollars. He noted
that a Scout’s shop was opened and that Mr. Alieu Momar Njie told them that
D6,000 would be paid as rent to Jammeh Foundation on a monthly basis; that he
can attest to seeing only three receipts as payments to Jammeh Foundation
which amounted to D18,000. He said they had collected an amount of D3.4 million
dalasis for the UK, USA and Germany Jamboree. He said Mr. Alieu Momar Njie was
paid D30,000 dalasis as his commission for securing visas and booking for
air tickets for participants. Mr. Gibril Njie asserted that Mr. Alieu Momar
Njie later submitted a report of D30,000 Dalasis as the balance. He said Mr.
Njie was challenged on the amount he spent on insurance and the visa payment for
himself. He said that at onetime Mr. Njie ordered him to release an amount
of D350,000 dalasis to Ousman Jallow, a money changer for the air tickets
amounting to 7 million CFA; that he went to enquire from the airline company and
found out that they would realize a balance D60,000.
The Scout Financial Commissioner said the Association has a plot of land and
were given 250 bags of cement by Amadou Samba for the purpose of
construction; that he realized that 150 bags were sold in order for the proceeds to be
used to start the foundation work on the plot of land; that Scout membership
cards were also sold for the same purpose.
During cross examination, Mr. Gibril Njie said he had a diploma in Financial
Management and had worked with government for 30 years.
The defense counsel, Mr. S.M. Conteh put it to him that all that he had been
saying in court was how the Scout Association received and get their
fundings but not about mismanagement. He said that when he became Financial
Commissioner there was no mismanagement during his term of office and that what he
said in court is the truth.
Sitting is adjourned till 9 October. Mr. Alieu Momar Njie is standing trial
for allegedly stealing D4 million dalasis from The Gambia Scouts Association.
Too Many Cards Worry Njogu Demba
By Modou Nyang
Scorpions’ striker Njogu Demba is getting frustrated for often being booked
by referees.
The Esbjerg FB of Denmark player got into the referees’ book 3 times since
the start of the current Danish SAS league campaign. And Demba was not happy
when referee Henrik Prigel booked him in the 80th last Sunday against OB
putting him three more bookings away from suspension. Demba has already collected
three yellow cards and another three cautions into the referee’s book, will
force him to sit out a ban.
The silky playing striker is getting frustrated that he is being booked very
often by referees. He collected his first caution in Esbjerg’s first league
match against Brondby IF, when he and three other teammates were booked.
Esbjerg won that game 1-0, Jesper Jørgensen scoring from the penalty spot. His
second booking came in their fourth match against Randers FC in the 29th minute
and his teammate Martin Vingaard was also booked during that match.
This Sunday Esbjerg will head for a quick return leg showdown with OB and
they do not want to lose their top striker as they fight to clinch their first
league title in 28 years. They played a 1-1 draw with OB in their last
fixture on Sunday. Esbjerg last won the Danish league in 1979. They are currently
8th in the 12 team league table with a total14 points from 11 matches. They
won 4 matches so far, drawing 2 losing 5 and scoring 25 goals whilst conceding
21.
Demba has scored four goals for Esbjerg in their current league campaign
sharing the club’s top goal scoring spot with strike partner Rajko Lekic. He
scored his first in Esbjerg 5-2 defeat by FC København and his second in another
2-1 defeat by AaB. He pushed his tally to four in Esbjerg’s following match
against AC Horsens when he fired a double in the 62nd and 73rd minutes. His
other goal for Esbjerg this season, was when he equalised against the German
Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, in a 1-1 friendly match draw.
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