Issue No. 61/2004, 2-4 August, 2004

EDITORIAL

Press Release By Monetary Committee Of Central Bank

The Monetary Committee of the Central Bank should be a think tank. The West
African Monetary Zone is to be established on July1 2005. The new currency,
the ECO is to be introduced. The national currency will circulate along
side the new currency for some time before they are phased out.

One would have thought that the Monetary Policy Committee would have
retrieved government’s monetary policy against the convergence criteria of
the zone. It is interesting that while countries are required to record
single digit inflation rate by the end of 2003 and 5% inflation rate by
2004, the monetary committee maintains an inflation rate of 15.5% in May
2004 yet they claim significant improvement in key macroeconomic variables.
We wonder significant in terms of what criteria. This propaganda approach
to economic analysis is what is keeping this government very myopic in its
programmes to regulate the economic climate.

Furthermore, the convergence criteria call for the redirection of
government deficits to 4% of GDP or less between 2003 – 2005. This should
include grants. In the Central Bank report the fiscal deficit was
calculated including grants. The figure given is that the deficit has risen
from 0.3% of GDP in the 1st quarter of 2003 to 2.8% of GDP in the first
quarter of 2004. While we take the figures with reservation what is clear
is deterioration and not significant improvement. The eyes of the Monetary
Committee should be focused on the escalation and how to reduce the deficit.

The countries are required to limit Central Bank financing of government
budget deficit to 10% or less of the tax revenue of the previous year from
2003 – 2005. This indication is not made evident in the press release. The
fourth criterion is for countries to maintain gross official foreign
reserves of three months of import cover. The press release indicated that
there is an increase in the net foreign reserves of the Central Bank and
the Commercial Banks but the net domestic reserves of the bank is
declining. This simply means the flight of capital. It proves that the
growth in external reserves is not due to an equivalent growth of the
productive base to improve foreign sale of goods and services; on the
contrary, it is simply a mopping up job of foreign exchange in the country
to meet external obligations. Hence the projected increase of import cover
to 5 months is not a sign of macroeconomic health but contraction of the
relation between the banks and the private sector in the country.

We hope the committee will become a real scientifically oriented monetary
committee rather than a propaganda tool of the establishment.



Dumo Saho & Co Freed

Justice Ahmed Belgore on Friday acquitted and discharged Momodou Ousman
Saho (Dumo Saho), Ebrima Barrow and Ebrima Yarboe on the six counts of
treason preferred against them by the state. The trial judge ruled that
there is no evidence linking the aforesaid persons to the charges preferred
against them. The learned judge launched a scathing criticism of the
authority that signed the information that makes it possible to prosecute
the accused persons, stressing the aforesaid authority knew there was no
case against the accused persons and yet the matter came to court.

Going through the evidence of the first prosecution witness, Francheso
Casso, the trial judge said the latter had informed the court that he went
to a military academy in Italy, but could not recall the date. He (Casso)
could not remember the birthdays of his two children, except the one who
was born in the Gambia. He said Casso had told the court that he read about
Tony Cartoni’s death on the Daily Observer and that the latter was deported
the time he (Casso) reported this matter to the authorities. He said Casso
also told the court that he did not know what happened to the partnership
business between himself and Cartoni. He said Casso had informed the court
that Dumo Saho had informed him that he has some weapons in a village five
kilometres away from Kanilai, but did not enquire where the weapons were
kept. He said Casso had informed the court that Dumo Saho had informed him
that he is a revolutionary which is why he took part in the April 10
student demonstration. He said Casso told the court that he had met Waa
Juwara, but the latter did not tell him whether he wanted to overthrow the
government by unlawful means or not. He said the witness had informed the
court that he was an employee of the state security service, but he did not
apply for the job and that he was not given a letter of appointment. He
said Casso had informed the court that he narrated the purported coup to
the police in broken English and that he did not take part in the arrest of
Ebrima Barrow.

Justice Belgore said the other prosecution witness, Biran Jobe said he
worked at the Serious Crimes Squad and that he went to the NIA headquarters
to obtain the statements of the accused persons and Sheriff Mustapha Dibba.
He said Biran Jobe had told the court that the first accused person, Ebrima
Barrow, did not request for his lawyer to be present when he (Jobe) was
taking down his statement. He said Biran also told the court that Barrow
did not object to Kajally Jobarteh to be the independent witness. He said
at this moment, the prosecution wanted to tender the statement of the first
accused person, but the defence objected to it and opted for a trial within
a trial.

Justice Belgore said during the trial within trial, Biran Jobe said he was
not the one that brought Ebrima Barrow to the NIA headquarters. He said
Biran told the court that he accompanied those who went to pick Barrow from
Mile Two Prisons, but said he did not remember who those people were.
Justice Belgore said Biran Jobe told the court that Ebrima Barrow was a
remand prisoner the time he was taken from Mile Two Central Prisons to the
NIA headquarters. The trial judge said the defence suggested to Jobe how he
tortured Barrow at the NIA headquarters; the witness responded that, that
was not his style of torture. Justice Belgore further pointed out that
Biran Jobe failed to respond when the defence told him that Ebrima Barrow
was left in a room with an audio tape with people groaning and moaning.
Justice Belgore said he had to go over all these things to show how
unreliable Biran Jobe was. He said Biran Jobe is not a witness of truth and
so rejected his evidence. Justice Belgore also rejected the testimony of
Kajally Jobarteh. He described the latter’s evidence as one that should be
taken with a grain of salt. He said Jobarteh is not a witness of truth and
he cannot believe any statement of his testimony.

Justice Belgore described the evidence of the first defence witness, Ebrima
Barrow, as one that carries weight. He said Barrow had informed the court
of how he was arrested and how he was punched on his mouth resulting to his
tooth breaking into fragments. He said Barrow had explained how Edrissa
Jobe, Tijan Bah and Biran Jobe tortured him, whilst noting that the witness
explained how he was beaten and dragged on the flour by his torturers. He
said Barrow had informed the court that he was denied food and the services
of a lawyer. He said Barrow had explained how Lieutenant Kombo and five
members of the Gambia National Army had whisked him from Mile Two Central
prisons to the NIA headquarters. He said Barrow had told the court how
Tijan Bah tore his pant. Justice Belgore said Barrow had told the court how
one Siaka Drammeh administered electric shock on him and it was under those
circumstances that he made exhibit A and that exhibit A was dictated to
him. Justice Belgore said the witness had told the court that the ordeal he
suffered at the NIA is still fresh in his memory and that he did not want
to go through it again. He said the witness had told the court that exhibit
A was dictated to him from Casso’s statement by Biran Jobe. Justice Belgore
said the witness had informed the court that the ordeal he had undergone
could have forced him to make any statement. The trial judge said the
witness had informed the court that he was surprised that Francheso Casso
was one of those who arrested him. The trial judge said the witness had
informed the court that he was kept incommunicado for twenty-one days at
the NIA before he was finally arraigned in court. He said the witness had
told the court that he was tortured the first seven days he spent at the
NIA headquarters. He said the witness infact volunteered to show the
honourable DPP the scars he sustained as a result of those systematic
tortures. Justice Belgore said the witness was later taken to the RVTH to
be examined by a dental surgeon.

Justice Belgore said the principal dentist at the RVTH appeared in court.
Justice Belgore said the principal dentist testified that he and Dr.
Senghore jointly examined Ebrima Barrow. He said the principal dentist had
told the court that it is not possible for Barrow to forcefully remove his
tooth, whilst noting that it is possible for a person to break his tooth if
he falls down or if he receives a knock on the tooth. Justice Belgore said
the testimony of Ebrima Barrow was true, whilst describing him as a witness
of truth. Justice Belgore said Ebrima Barrow stood his ground despite the
fact that he was undergoing vigorous examination by the DPP.

Justice Belgore said exhibit A was obtained by removing the first accused
person from Mile Two Central Prisons. He said Biran Jobe agreed that Ebrima
Barrow was a remand prisoner and that no court order was obtained to remove
him from Mile Two Central Prisons. Justice Belgore ruled that the removal
of Barrow from Mile Two Central Prisons without a court order is illegal
and is opposed to public policy. He ruled that exhibit A was involuntarily
obtained because the accused was assaulted. He said the accused was kept
incommunicado for twenty-one days which inconsistent with the constitution
contrary to the 72 hours period. Justice Belgore said he has found it
difficult to accept exhibit A and therefore expunged it out of the records.
He said he has difficulty in accepting exhibit 3 and 4. This was Justice
Belgore’s ruling on the trial within trial.

Justice Belgore said he acquitted and discharged Lieutenant Darboe,
Lieutenant Jaiteh and Momodou Marenah after the defence made a no case
submission. He said he had overruled the defence’s no case submission
because he had not delivered his verdict on the trial within trial at the
time. He said the statement of Ebrima Yarboe and Dumo Saho had narrowed
down the room for convicting the accused persons.

Justice Belgore said the statement Francheso Casso made to the police is at
variance with what he told the court. He said Francheso Casso is not a
witness of truth and is not capable of belief. He said Francheso Casso’s
evidence is a corruption of his imagination and he did not believe a single
sentence of it. He said it will be very dangerous for him to accept Casso’s
evidence and it is very dangerous for a court to rely on a testimony of
such a witness. He said he did not find any agreement made by the accused
persons. He said Francheso Casso did not discuss the issue of a coup with
Ebrima Yarboe. Justice Belgore said Casso is a white liar whose statements
are contradictory. He said this case represents the most heinous injustice
on the part of the authorities at the time, whilst pointing out that the
prosecution has failed to prove guilt against the accused persons. He said
the prosecution did not infact try to corroborate the evidence of Francheso
Casso. He finally acquitted and discharged all the accused persons.

Euphoria greeted the last words of the trial judge. Once Justice Belgore
finished reading his judgment, Ebrima Yarboe clapped to manifest his
appreciation of the judge’s verdict. The exuberant on lookers exulted over
the judge’s decision by clapping and uttering victorious slogans. The judge
who was on the verge of getting up stared at the audience. He was
surprised. Emotions were uncontrollable, and euphoria overwhelmed the high
court. Defence counsel, Ousainou Darboe who was sitting at the bar, stood
up to prevail on people to control their emotions. Yarboe’s wife was so
happy that her tears rolled down her cheeks. Dumo’s Swedish wife was very
happy. When the judge left for his chambers, people scrambled to hug them.
People were seen shedding tears; they could not believe what they heard.

Dumo and his colleagues were accompanied downstairs by relatives and well
wishers where some of the prison wardens demanded to take them to Mile Two.
They insisted that once the court order comes to Mile Two, they will
release them. At this point, Ebrima Yarboe insisted they have been freed by
the court. He argued that Friday is a half-day and that the day had already
advanced, noting that once they go to Mile Two, they will not be released
till the next day. Ebrima Barrow also insisted that he will not go because
he is a freeman. Row broke out between the prison wardens and the onlookers
who were present. The onlookers insisted that the prison wardens must
collect the order from the judge and leave the freed remand prisoners to go
home. One of the defence counsels Mai Fatty later urged one of the prison
wardens to go and answer Justice Belgore. The tension subsided when the
warden went to answer the judge. The prison wardens were seen entering
their vehicles with the court order prepared by the judge. Dumo, Yarboe and
Barrow entered the vehicles and left the court premises.



 RVTH, Bansang Receive Hospital Equipment

The Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) and Bansang Hospital
respectively recently received a donation of 40” foot container full of
hospital items from Seattle-Gambia Association based in Seattle Washington,
United States.

The items include mattresses, beds, medical crutches, wheelchairs, walkers.
According to the President of the Seattle Gambia Association the items are
worth over $100,000.

The administration and staff of RVTH described the donation as timely and
commended the association for a laudable gesture. They urged other
associations especially those based in USA to emulate Seattle. Bakary
Ceesay assured them that this is going to be a continuous thing and urged
them to take good care of the items.

This gift is in line with their efforts as a non-profit organisation to
reach out to the poor and help local communities in the country to improve
their standard of living.

Among other projects embarked upon by Seattle includes a scholarship scheme
for middle school students through high school and now they are sponsoring
about 14 students across the country.

Present at the ceremony were the administrative board of RVTH and it was
held at the RVTH in Banjul.



Almamy Ceesay And the Accountant General’s Office

The Missing File

Almamy Ceesay of Sankandi started to work at the hospital before The Gambia
became independent in 1965. His devotion to duty enabled him to rise to the
rank of Chief Orderly at the hospital. The function of orderly is the most
dangerous in terms of exposure to infection. They are frequently in contact
with waste from all kinds of people infected with illnesses.

Almamy Ceesay was posted at Bansang Hospital but no letter had ever been
written to him to state that his services with the government had been
terminated and that he was being seconded under Bansang Hospital
Management. At Bansang he was forced to retire two years before he realised
retirement age. After being forced to retire he should have received his
entitlements with immediate effect. However Almamy was given part payment.
When he complained that the sum was small they prepared another cheque.
Almamy refused to receive the cheque and asked the accountant general’s
department to compile all his entitlements and pay it once and for all.
When the matter came to Foroyaa we took it up with the accountant general’s
office. Many cases of this nature are quickly handled with our
intervention. However in Almamy’s case there was an impasse. The main
problem was the disappearance of his file. Almamy finally took the matter
up with the office of the ombudsman. He requested his entitlements to be
calculated for the decades he has served and for all his contributions such
as WOPS to be paid. The ombudsman received letters from the accountant
general’s office indicating the amount Almamy should have received since he
became a pensioner and what they claim to be outstanding in his payment of
gratuity. How gratuity can be paid by installment confused Almamy. He
became distrustful of the whole exercise. Furthermore, the ombudsman asked
them to apply to PMO for his WOPS contribution. He did so; they approved
and asked the account general to pay. Almamy wrote to the accountant
general to request when payment could be effected. He received no reply.
This disregard of a pensioner is so cruel and naked that Almamy had to be
advised by Foroyaa to go to court for redress. His case is now filed.
However the absence of judges for a long time had made the case to pile up
in the hands of the existing judges. If the present status quo remains it
will take time before Almamy gets justice. Here they are commemorating July
22 when a man is dying because of a bureaucratic system, which is totally
insensitive to the cries of the common man and woman. May we add that
Almamy is alive. Currently many pensioners from GPTC have been sitting for
7 months without receiving their money from social security. How many
millions have been spent on the July 22 celebrations when such pensioners
have been transformed into beggars after rendering services to the nation.
It should be borne in mind that all these facts are known by the government
from the president down. However a government, which is insensitive to the
problems of the common person would wait for a court to order them to do
the right thing instead of being alerted by the press to take up their
responsibility.



Halifa on The Sandika Market and Environs, Opposition NAMs and The President

FOROYAA: The Sandika market area is a health threat what are you doing
about it as National Assembly Member?

Halifa: I visited the market and environs a week ago. The place is
horrible. At the market garbage was everywhere. The people in the area use
the entrance to the market as a dumpsite. The rotten items release a foul
odour. The insects crawling from the rotten objects move about freely
towards food item and people sitting and selling on the ground. It is
unbelievable that a country whose head of state is talking about
transforming the rural areas into a city state has a market right in the
heart of the urban area where people can find themselves in such an
unsanitary environment. The road going to Serrekunda School, the Serrekunda
Mosque and Papa Sarr Street are almost out of bounds. The pools of water
mixed with rotten substances give the stench of refuse from raw sewerages.
These are roads leading to the Serrekunda Health Centre. The place is out
of bounds. Very few drivers accept to drive their transports across the
stinking muddy pools of water.

FOROYAA: What are you going to do?

Halifa: I went there with some technicians to study the Sandika and the
environment and produce what could be done in the short term and the long
term to address the situation. Before this we had used the CODI Fund, which
is based on the five thousand dalasis. I contribute monthly to pour stones
and rubbles from buildings to cover the pools of water.

However the water would shift from one area to the other because of the
lack of drainage. We just ensured that the pools opposite the Serrekunda
Health Centre are eradicated to make the gate accessible. In order to
address the problem in a more comprehensive manner I had a meeting with the
youths of the area some months ago so that they can form a community based
organisation. I told them that it was the duty of the ward development
committee under the KMC to have identified the problem and prepare project
proposals to be submitted to aid agencies to get support. I informed them
that they had met me and gave me the impression that they were handicapped
but would like to work with me. When it appeared that they could not
overcome their problems I told the youths to take the bull by the horn.
They were asked to develop a database of the homes and the vendors
affected. I volunteered to assist them to prepare a project proposal once
their community-based organisation is built. Unfortunately their leader
left the country for further studies. To speed up matters I sought the
assistance of technicians to do a feasibility study of the area. We will
devote some funds to this and try to mobilize support to address the
problem.

FOROYAA: Is the president or the KMC not aware of the situation?

Halifa: They should be aware. Anyway, before trying to solve the problem I
would write to the WHO, UNDP and some of the ambassadors whose governments
provide assistance to visit the site. Some of these people just drive on
Kairaba Avenue, they hardly go in the town where the common people live.
This is why they often give statistics that Gambia is high on the record
for fighting malaria and so on.

FOROYAA: The president said that the people of Serrekunda Central should
not expect development for voting for an opposition.

Halifa: Some supporters of PDOIS come to me in anger to say that they heard
some APRC supporters spreading the comments of the president. I told them
that they should not come to me but should go to the people; they ask me to
do a constituency tour to clarify. I told them that the president’s comment
is not worth considering. I explained to them that he was simply insulting
the intelligence of the people.

FOOYAA: Some people may believe him. How is he insulting the intelligence
of the people?

Halifa: This is simple. I told them that every single Gambia should know
that the reason why we have a government is because none can provide
services such as building roads, street lights, taps, markets and so on.
Governments are governments because they have authority to collect taxes
and a duty to utilize what is collected to provide public services. There
are two types of governments in The Gambia.  These are the National
Government and the Local Governments. The National Government is the
president and his cabinet. They control the budget and make the policies to
provide health, education and other social services such as roads,
electricity and so on and so forth. The National Assembly members do not
receive taxes or manage public funds. It is the president and his
secretaries of state who do. Furthermore, it is the local government
comprising the mayor and the councillors who receive local taxes and other
local revenue. They are to provide local services such as garbage
collection, streetlights, taps for water, mend roads and so on and so forth.

Now, the people in Serrekunda Central voted for President Jammeh as their
presidential candidate. He is president and controls the funds of the
National Government but is telling them that he will not utilize the funds
in their interest even though they have contributed to the fund and put in
his hand to use to promote their general welfare. Instead he is asking an
MP who is not a revenue collector to provide services for the people.

Secondly, the mayor of the KMC is APRC, the councillor for the ward is
APRC. They handle local government revenue. Now the president is saying
this revenue will not be utilized to serve the people who contribute to it.
Are they discrediting me or themselves? In short, the role of a NAM is to
scrutinize government departments, bills, international treaties, policies
and so and take the side that is in the best interest of the people. I am
in a better position to this than any APRC National Assembly Member. No
APRC MP dares to say the truth that I am saying now.

FOROYA: Any last message?

Halifa: If the people in Serrekunda Central can find a person who can speak
the truth in a more determined and consistent way that I can, they should
support that person. National Assembly Members do not collect revenue to
provide services. They are elected to make good laws, approve good
treaties, scrutinize policies and tell people the truth. Hence if the
president they voted for and the APRC council they elected can refuse to
bring about development they should remove them and replace them with more
responsible members of a national or local government. This is how matters
stand.

The Paul Commission

Fafa E. Mbai

Testifying before the Commission on Wednesday, Fafa E. Mbai pointed out
that he was appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice on 8th
August 1994 and terminated on the 20th March 1995. He said that before his
appointment in 1994, he was not holding any office of emolument in
government between July 1994 to 8th August 1994. He also pointed out that
after his tenure in office, he has not held any office of emolument in
government. He acknowledged receiving an assets declaration form, which he
filled and returned to the commission. At this stage, Emmanuel Fagbenle
showed him the declaration form for identification, which he did. He was
then asked whether he wanted to make any amendment in the form. In
response, he said that he wanted to make an addition on page 2, and that is
landed property he acquired in Fajara ‘M’ Section which was given to him as
a gift by his nephew Adama Mboge on the 1st September 1988. He also pointed
out that on page 7 of the declaration, the cash in hand is D130, 000. Mr
Mbai indicated that as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, he was
paid D60, 000 per annum as salary. He said apart from his salary, his
additional sources of income were arrears of fees from his clients. Mr.
Mbai asserted that during that period, he had not applied for a plot of
land and was never allocated any. Mr. Mbai said that he has no property
generating income like rent and that nobody received his assistance to
secure employment during his tenure of office. He pointed out that during
that period, he held no landed property in trust for anyone and that no one
holds any landed property in trust for him, whether developed or not.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Mbai pointed out that he did not sell any
property on behalf of anybody or after that period and has not engaged in
any physical development of any landed property. Mr. Mbai said that even
though he believes in farming, he has not acquired his own farm. He pointed
out that he neither leases a form from government nor private. He said the
farm he was using was mortgaged to a Bank by an individual, which was sold
to his nephew by the Sheriff Court. At this stage Emmanuel Fagbenle pointed
out that, that is a private arrangement. Mr. Mbai said during his tenure of
office, he did not acquire a landed property and did not buy any vehicle in
that period. He pointed out that he did not buy any gift for his siblings
after office. Mr. Mbai said that even though he was maintaining the
schooling of his siblings outside the Gambia from an account he opened in
England in 1982/83 when they were in high school, he could not maintain
them during his tenure in 1994. He pointed out that no part of his
emolument went to their maintenance during his tenure of office in 1994. He
pointed out that he undertook four official trips and one private. He
pointed out that he could not recall the per-deim paid during these trips
but that he was not paid impress. He was given three days to furnish the
commission with the break down of the trips i.e. per-deim trip, date and
months. Mr. Mbai indicated that during his tenure of office, he was not
able to pay anything in his England account. He asserted that he did not
receive any queries of financial malpractices during his tenure in office
and did not receive any gift for services rendered to anyone.

He concluded testimony by saying that he has not assisted anyone to win
government contract and does not participate in the awarding of contracts.


Mustapha Marong

In testifying before the commission, Mr. Mustapha Marong indicated that he
is currently the Director of Maritime and Shipping Services. He said that
he was appointed to this position on 16th January 1996. He pointed out that
he was appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the 20th of
March 1995 and terminated on the 16th January 1996. He acknowledged
receiving the assets declaration form, which he filled and returned to the
commission. At this stage he was shown the form for identification by
Emmanuel Fagbenle, which he did. Asked whether he wanted to make any
amendment on the form, which he responded in the negative. He indicated
that between 1994 to 1995 he worked as a senior counsel before his
appointment as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He pointed out
that between 1994 to date, he applied for an allocation only once and that
is in 2003 at Bijilo. He indicated that he has never applied for his
siblings or wife for any land allocation. He pointed out that no land has
been allocated to his wife or siblings. He said that he has only fenced the
allocated land at Bijilo and that the money for the fencing was send by his
wife’s son through her mother but that he received the money on her behalf
through the local bureaus. He said that his salary as Director is D10,
050.92 monthly and as Attorney General and Minister of Justice D87, 480.74
to D95, 281.82 annually. He indicated that during his tenure of office as
Attorney General and Minister of Justice he has no additional source of
income, but that as a Director, he prepares mortgage for staff, which
earned him approximately D30, 000.00 yearly.

Mr. Marong said that he established a general merchandise shop in Essau
Village, which earned him D1000 per year. He pointed out that as Attorney
General and Minister of Justice, he had no landed property, no account in
the Gambia or abroad. He indicated that he only banks with the Standard
Chartered Bank. He said that he opened an account in 1989 after his LLB
program. He pointed out that his fixed deposit account has been closed when
he was appointed as Attorney General and Minister of Justice and that the
savings account was closed in 2002. He indicated that the current account
is still operational because his present salary is paid into that account.
He said that he cannot produce the statement of account at this material
time but promised the commission that he will produce it within 7 working
days.

Continuing his testimony, Mr. Marong indicated that he started constructing
his Essau plot in 1992 and completed it in 1999. He said the house is a 4-
bedroom bungalow where he lives with his family. He pointed out that he is
not a shareholder in any company. He indicated that he is not holding any
property in trust for anyone and that no one is holding a property in trust
for him. He indicated that he has never received loan from government or
benefited from anybody as Attorney General and Minister for Justice. He
indicated that as Director General he has benefited from a bank overdraft
of D28, 000 and two car loans from Gambia Ports Authority. He said that he
is still servicing the car loan. He pointed out that there is an
outstanding balance of D10, 000 from the first car loan and D90, 000 from
the second car loan.

Mr. Marong indicated that as Attorney General and Minister for Justice, he
committed 60% of his salary towards the construction of his Essau house. He
indicated that as Director General of Maritime and Shipping Services, he
has never participated in the arrest of any trespassing ship in The Gambia
waters. He indicated that, that is the jurisdiction of the Maritime Unit.
He pointed out that as Director General he has never has the cause to any
adverse report concerning any ship or shipping agency. He said he has never
vetted any contract to anyone or recommended any shipping agency to anyone.
He argued that those are matters for traffic operators.

Further continuing his testimony, Mr. Marong indicated that he has
incorporated companies for people but that all the payments were in cash
and not in shares or services. He indicated that he has never written any
report of financial malpractice concerning anybody and that he has never
received any such report. He concluded his testimony by indicating that his
farm, which is 350x65m, was his mother’s rice field. He indicated that he
attempted to cultivate it last year but it did not materialize. He said
that he is planning to put cashew trees there.


Dr. Yankuba Gassama

In testifying before the Paul Commission on Thursday 29th July 2004, SoS
Gassama indicated that between 1994 to 1997 he hold no office in
government. He said during that period he was in the United Kingdom (UK)
working and studying which made him earn an income. He indicated that while
he was in UK, he was sending funds to his family as he was planning to come
back home. He said from those fund, his Kotu East Layout was developed. He
also indicated that on his way back home, he bought a car in Germany. At
this stage he gave the receipt for the car and the address of the company
where he bought the car to the commission. He said that he came with money,
which he used to clear his car and to allow him settle down. He pointed out
that he also shipped household materials like furniture. He indicated that
he was appointed in 1997 as a surgeon and was paid Grade 11 salary. He said
he does not know the actual amount but added that it must be contained in
the appointment letter, which he promised to furnish the commission with in
3 days time. He pointed out that as a surgeon, his only other source of
income was the money he came with. He pointed out that he has business
establishment and that he is a shareholder of a company. He said as
Director of Medical Services, he was paid Grade 12 salary. As SoS he said,
his salary differs. He indicated that from January to March 2004, he was
receiving D11, 383.33 and that from April 2004 to date, he has been
receiving D12, 103.32. He promised to furnish the commission with his
salary from the date of his appointment to December 2003 within the same 3
working days. Apart from his salary as SoS, his other source of income is
the help he received from his brother who was outside the Gambia. He
pointed out that between 2002 to 2003, he received about D400, 000 from his
brother. He said that for the commission to convince itself, his brother is
now in town and can call him. He said his name is Abdoulie Gassama, a
businessman who is presently running a petrol station and many other
business activities. He said during his tenure as SoS, he did not apply for
land allocation because he was already allocated one. He indicated that
construction is taking place and the house is two bedroom flat. He pointed
out that he has not committed anything in that plot because it belongs to
his wife and her income is more than his. He said the wife was working with
Social Welfare and retired before his appointment as SoS. He said that he
did not operate any joint account with her.

Continuing his testimony, Dr. Gassama said that he would not be surprise to
see his wife building such a house because she has a company in Serrekunda
given to her by her father, which is generating income. He acknowledged
that his sister is living in his compound in Busumbala but he could not
recall when it was developed. He also said that he could not recall how
much was spent even though he was the one on the ground. He promised to
furnish the commission with the details within the same 3 days. He pointed
out that they, as a family contributed to secure that compound for their
mothers and family. He said the house is two bedroom twins under the same
roof. He said even though he is the second eldest and in charge of family
affairs, he did not make the highest contribution towards the development
of the compound. He said that contribution is determined by the
individual’s income. Dr. Gassama indicated that he acquired a farm by gift
but he is yet to receive a title deed and measurement of the farm. He said
he is yet to invest anything on the farm. He indicated that no one holds
any landed property in trust for him and he did not hold any landed
property in trust for anyone. He said that he has an account with standard
Chartered Bank and a foreign account in UK, which he opened when he was
there. He said the last deposit in that foreign account which he can recall
is his compensation of a lost suitcase when he travelled. He promised to
furnish the commission with the statement of the UK account within 10
working days and that of Standard Chartered Bank within 3 working days. SoS
Gassama pointed out that during his period as SoS, he has not given loan to
anyone and has received loan neither from government nor a bank. He said he
is not maintaining anybody’s education outside the Gambia. He pointed out
that his children are attending Marina School in Grades 5 and 6
respectively. SoS Gassama indicated that even though he bought jewelry for
his wife, it is not much. He however promised the commission that he would
try to recall the amount and furnish them within 3 days. He pointed out
that he has never helped anyone whether by friendship or by blood to win
government contract. He said as a surgeon, he was not a member of the
tender board or committee.

Further continuing his testimony, SoS Gassama indicated that as a surgeon,
he has never acquired any surgical equipment or drug. He said as Director
of Medical services, you make request for the procuring officer to buy
drugs or not to buy depending on the situation on the ground. He indicated
that when they buy, as Director, you cannot direct it out of the health
sector. He pointed out that as SoS, you are not directly responsible in the
tender. He pointed out that through a directive from cabinet, he was
involved in the buying of drugs from Egypt but that it was a bilateral
agreement between the Gambia government and Egypt government. He pointed
out that there was no complaint regarding the quality and quantity of the
drugs. He indicated that none of the contractors are related to him either
by blood or friendship. He said he stopped contract once when they realised
that they cannot do the job.

Concluding his testimony, SoS Gassama pointed out that he has never
received gift for service rendered to any individual or institution. He
indicated that he does not directly or indirectly award contract. He said
as a surgeon, he has no pharmacy or deal with any private hospital or
pharmacy. He said if there are major surgical cases at the hospital he
sometimes participate in the work or if he wants to practice he goes to the
hospital. He said that he bought a plot at Brufut from Gambia Tourism
Authority. He indicated that he stared fencing it.


Susan Waffa Ogoo

In testifying before the commission, SoS Susan Waffa Ogoo indicated that
she is SoS for Fisheries, Natural Resources and the Environment from 2000
to date. She indicated that before that she was Minister for Information
and Tourism in 1994, which was later, changed to Tourism And Culture. She
acknowledged receiving an assets declaration form, which she filled and
returned to the commission. She pointed out that she has no amendment to
make in the form. She said her salary is D86, 000.00 excluding allowances.
She promised to give her appointment letter to the commission the following
the day which contained her allowances. She pointed out that apart from her
emoluments, she has no other source of income. She indicated that her
husband was a bank manager long before they were married well before 1994
she added. He indicated that she operates a joint account with her husband
and does not have any business that earns her income. She indicated that
she did apply for land allocation, but was allocated one at Kotu, which she
cancelled because it was near a Mosque and very close to the Kotu quarry.
She said that she was then allocated the one at Bijilo. She said the
allocation was not formalized at the beginning but later it was. She
indicated that she could not remember the year it was allocated but
promised to furnish the commission the following day. She said she has not
committed any thing in the plot yet. She pointed out that the Fajara M
Section property is fully developed but could not say how much was
committed there since the property belonged to her husband. She agreed that
between 1994 to date there were improvements on the property but that she
only contributed towards tiling of the corridor and cannot recall how much.
She indicated that she bought furniture for her bedroom.

Continuing her testimony, SoS Waffa Ogoo indicated that she cannot recall
any two contributions she made by cheque neither cash of D10, 000 or above
nor D5, 000 or above. She also pointed out that she cannot recall any
material or gift made towards the Fajara M. Section property. She said the
house is a four-bedroom bungalow. She said that they live in the Fajara M.
Section property. She pointed out that the household of her sibling is
actually bought by her husband and she made no contribution in it. She
indicated that the Lamin freehold has been fenced but could not say when,
because it was done by her husband and she did not contribute anything
towards it. She indicated that she gave D20, 000 and kola nuts to the
Alkalo for her Sifoe freehold property but she is yet to receive any paper
or title deed. She pointed out that she has used barbed wire to fence it.
She promised to furnish the commission with cost of fencing within four
working days. She indicated that last season; she grew beans, sesame,
cassava, groundnut and rice. She said she bought 25 bags of fertilizer even
though she didn’t apply all; she was able to harvest 1 ton of groundnut, 2
bags of rice and 2 bags of sesame. In terms of labour, she said Kafolu use
to work there and she cooked for them.

Continuing her testimony, SoS Waffa Ogoo indicated that she is not holding
any property in trust for anyone and that no one is holding any property in
trust for her. She said she is not a shareholder in any company inside or
outside the Gambia. She indicated that she is not a beneficiary of any loan
either from government or any institution. She said she is not responsible
of anybody’s education outside the Gambia and does not help anyone to
establish a business. She pointed out that she has never received any gift
from a contractor and has never cancelled any contract. She acknowledged
that she has received a lot of queries and promised to supply the
commission the list of queries within four working days. She said she has
received a gift of jewelry in one of her trips but does not know the value.
She said that she has account with Standard Chartered Bank and in UK before
1994 and promised to supply the statement of account of both.

Further continuing her testimony, SoS Ogoo denied knowing any person by the
name Momodou F.M Sallah, noting that it would not be true to believe that
she has any property in connection with him. She indicated that she has no
property in the Greater Banjul Area that is being rented. She said she
knows Tallinding but not the Unique Salon and that it would not be correct
to believe that she is the owner.  She pointed out that there is no
property in Kotu that is in her credit. She said Awa is her mother’s name
and is aware of a property in such a name but could not remember when it
was acquired. She said she has not made any financial contribution towards
the property.  She said the property is bought by her brother and she did
not think that anybody will have justification or reason to believe that
she is the owner of that property.

In concluding her testimony, SoS Waffa Ogoo indicated that she has no
commercial vehicle, neither was she given a commercial vehicle as gift. It
is also incorrect to believe that she earns any income from a commercial
vehicle. At this stage Emmanuel Fagbenle gave a paper to her to write the
school her children are attending.


SoS Manlafi Jarjue

Testifying before the commission, SoS Jarjue said he was appointed as SoS
for Local Government and Lands on 16th April 2002. He said before this
period, he did not hold any office in government. He confirmed receiving
assets declaration form, which he filed and returned to the commission. He
said he has no amendment to make on the form. He said he received a letter
of appointment, which contained his emoluments. He promised the commission
that he can supply them the letter of appointment in three working days.
SoS Jarjue pointed out that he has no other source of income in the Gambia
apart from his emoluments. He indicated that he has two accounts in the
United States. He said he has no investment and earns no income from
timber, sand or gravel. He pointed out that he is not a shareholder in any
company where he receives dividends.

In continuing his testimony, SoS Jarjue said that he does not owe any
individual or institution any money and has not guaranteed anyone for a
bank overdraft. He pointed out that he is not maintaining anybody’s
education outside the Gambia and has not assist anyone to establish a
business. SoS Jarjue said no one is managing, supervising or running any
business on his behalf. SoS Jarjue indicated that when he returned in 2001,
he was engaged in real estate investment. He pointed out that when he was
coming home, he came with some money, which he put in the Standard
Chartered Bank and promised to supply the statement of account to the
commission within three working days. He said in his transactions, he was
paying in cash and everything he has is in his name. He said he does not
have receipt for all of them. He said that the four landed property were
empty plots by the time he got them. He said before his appointment, he
fenced only one and the second one was halfway fenced. SoS Jarjue said he
did not close his overseas accounts because they are lifetime accounts. SoS
Jarjue said that he was in the US pursuing an education and during the
process, he was also working as an American citizen and having worked for
22 years, he is entitled to a lifetime account.

Continuing his testimony, SoS Jarjue said he is entitled to $1, 500.00 per
month social security benefits based on his level of contribution. He said
he has neither deposited nor withdrawn any amount of money into that
account since he returned to the Gambia. SoS Jarjue said that during his
tenure as SoS, he did not purchase any landed property. He indicated that
he has travelled thirteen (13) times outside the Gambia after his
appointment and was paid $130.00 per night but the number of days he could
not recall. At this stage, the commission was adjourned at 5.48 pm and
asked the witness to re-appear on Tuesday for continuation of his testimony
and to come along with the breakdown of the per-diem paid during those
trips. The commission was adjourned to Monday 2nd August 2004.



MANDINABA

BAFROW’s Model Village

The project is said to cost only 3 million dalasis everything training
inclusive. 90.5 million dalasis cash recovered by the Asset Management and
Recovery Corporation would have envisaged the possibility of building 30
model villages of this nature. This shows that the Gambia is not poor with
political organisation we can still fight against poverty and do our best
for our country and our people.

Interview With The Young Dynamic Executive Secretary Ms. Fatou Waggeh Of
BAFROW:

FOROYAA: How did the idea come about?

Waggeh: As a development agency we don’t impose projects on communities. We
first survey the community, discuss with villages and map out felt needs,
then we prioritise.

FOROYAA: Why don’t you impose projects?

Waggeh: Whatever is imposed is not owned. If a project is not own by a
community it fails from the onset.

FOROYAA: What is your goal?

Waggeh: To improve the quality of life of women and children to satisfy the
needs and aspirations of the people. Everything started with the Adult
Literacy Classes. Here the learning is informal and is made relevant by
correlating it to issues. For example if the felt need is women health,
teaching modules are prepared to address the issue, issues

FOROYAA: There is donor fatigue, are your projects addressing the issue of
sustainability?

Waggeh: certainly! Women need economic empowerment to liberate themselves
from poverty. The project has mapped out viable economic ventures and
through BAFROW’s micro credit scheme. A Bakery Scheme, a sewing scheme,
soap making, wholesale shop, cosmetic shop etc has been initiated.

FOROYAA: How is the attendance at the literacy classes?

Waggeh: At first the turnover was very high but it later dropped due to
women’s work pressure and attitudinal phenomenon. Attitudinal change is a
process. We exercise patience and work with the consistent ones. Later on
the dropouts returned and we moved on. We always sit down and look at
issues we are informal. We identify an issue then all of us sit down to
find a solution through affirmation actions.

FOROYAA: What is your medium of instruction?

Waggeh: Mandinka. All our staff and volunteers are taught the Mandinka
literacy script I was unable to speak Mandinka but now when I went through
the process, I can speak it.

FOROYAA: What is your main theme?

Waggeh: Health issues are our main concern. We teach about the body for the
women to know about their bodies so that when we come to discuss about
harmful practices they will understand what we are talking about.

We discuss about the environment, nutrition, and common diseases such as
malaria, diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS, FGM etc.

FOROYAA: FGM! How do they react to this issue?

Waggeh: We create awareness about the issue. But that is not enough. We
went further why do they do it? Response: Religion. We invited scholars to
enlighten them on the Quranic verses, which they quote to support the
practice. We produce literatures to help them understand their rights and
responsibilities in the Quran. Another response, tradition. We examine
tradition. Everything is not negative in the practice. We adopted the
positive practices and restructured them to convey our message. We
eliminate the cutting, which is our major concern. Focal persons are
identified and trained for the different issues.

The circumciser is trained and empowered with knowledge to desist from
cutting. Through the project she benefits economically. 80 children have
gone through the rites passage without cutting. A technical committee was
formed to develop the curriculum for the rites passage. At the end of the
ceremony, each child plants a fruit tree. The children’s parents are well
sensitized before they are enrolled into the programme. The child takes
care of her tree. Women in the project are given loans to engage in
economic activities.

 FOROYAA: Since when have you started the literacy classes?

Waggeh: Four years ago and now the literacy level in the village have
shooted up. Our health clinics are functioning. Our women through the
communicative skills we taught them went to the Alkalo and acquired the
plot of land where we are now located.

Our first clinic was user friendly and all-inclusive. Women are encouraged
to come not only when they are ill but also for checkups. We give all types
of services and we also give information.

Our ward facilities cater up to 20 patients. We have a pharmacy we sell
drugs as government without profit. We have laboratory facilities. We have
a training and empowerment centre where we build the capacity of our staff
and the beneficiaries. We have a banking unit responsible for the saving
and credit scheme solely and wholely managed by the women. All the sectors
are managed by women themselves.

Information is power. Each of the unit carries its newsletter to educate
and enlighten its members. We have a voice of women newsletter. Here women
discuss issues affecting their lives. Also possible solutions to those
problems. We also have an editorial board. Post literacy materials are also
produced for simple readers in English and Mandinka to enlighten
beneficiaries on issues of concern. After instruction in Mandinka, the
women are now requesting to be literate in English.

FOROYAA: Women complain about market. How do you solve that problem?

Waggeh: Market was a felt need when we did our mapping. We have built a
market at the roadside close to the police post. The bread scheme is
serving the community. Villagers used to go to Brikama to buy bread. The
bakery is supplying the neighboring villages so is the wholesale shop. The
groundnut butter scheme is supplying the hospitals and hotels.

FOROYAA: Do you have a second phase to the project?

Waggeh: We have a second phase and that is housing. Women are demanding for
land to build and own their houses for security of their families. Some
want to build at their husband’s compounds. We are encouraging them but
enlightening and helping them to have legal papers to secure ownership. We
focus on attitudinal change. We enlighten the women on CEDAW, Gambia
constitution, vision 2020; all these documents have been translated into
Mandinka. Every woman is an expert in her own field. We encourage them to
rise, the sky is the limit. Community nurses are trained in Mandinka among
the women. Now they can give injection, weigh babies, take pressure etc.
Traditional Birth Attendants are also trained.

FOROYAA: You are reinforcing the notion that knowledge can and should be
demystified to make it the property of the people?

Waggeh: Women are taught skills to check for breast cancer. Other services
such as cervical cancer checkup, VCT etc are done free of charge. We help
women make informed choices and wise decisions. 90% of the women and their
husbands have undergone the VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) for
HIV/AIDS. The beauty about the project is the oneness it has created among
the women. The monument at the centre of the compound said it all. The
foundation is unity, the boulder stones cemented togetherness, show the
bond between the women. The flower bowl opening to the sky shows their aims
and aspirations fully met. They are rising up like a northern star, the sky
being the limit.

FOROYAA: How are you tackling environmental sanitation?

Waggeh: We initiated a cleaning day (set setal) in our projects. We have
planted a lot of trees. The women are changing their houses and building
them. When we come to Mandinaba there were few toilets. Now the project is
assisting women build reinforced pit latrines for their homes.

FOROYAA: Do you have other similar projects in other areas?

Waggeh: We have a small mother and child welfare clinic at Brefet. An out
patient clinic and ward at Ndemban. We started a similar project at Dumbuto
but due to misconceptions and patriarchal resistance the project cannot
progress to fruition. But now they are calling us they want us back. Change
is a process; it should not be forced on people. We are planning to have a
mother and child welfare project in Bondali. Also a day care, nursery and a
skills centre. Each area is different. Projects are not imposed.
Communities map out their own projects.

FOROYAA: Thank you very much, bravo for your mission and vision.

Waggeh: Thanks. We need the media to expose our work.

FOROYAA Comment

BAFROW is a partner to government. They are contributing their quota to the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Vision 2020.

The land tenure system should be gender interrogated and made women
friendly. Vote for women and men of substance to work for positive change.

The Mandinaba brochure will be published in the next issue.



RVTH, Bansang Receive Hospital Equipment

The Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) and Bansang Hospital
respectively recently received a donation of 40” foot container full of
hospital items from Seattle-Gambia Association based in Seattle Washington,
United States.

The items include mattresses, beds, medical crutches, wheelchairs, walkers.
According to the President of the Seattle Gambia Association the items are
worth over $100,000.

The administration and staff of RVTH described the donation as timely and
commended the association for a laudable gesture. They urged other
associations especially those based in USA to emulate Seattle. Bakary
Ceesay assured them that this is going to be a continuous thing and urged
them to take good care of the items.

This gift is in line with their efforts as a non-profit organisation to
reach out to the poor and help local communities in the country to improve
their standard of living.

Among other projects embarked upon by Seattle includes a scholarship scheme
for middle school students through high school and now they are sponsoring
about 14 students across the country.

Present at the ceremony were the administrative board of RVTH and it was
held at the RVTH in Banjul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~