Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 136/2007, 19 - 20 November 2007
Editorial
FOROYAA WELCOMES WOMEN FOR
DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (WODD)
ON THE STAGE OF PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISM
The women movement had largely been strangulated by the APRC regime after
the arrest and long detention of Duta Kamaso, the former member of parliament
for Wuli East. Duta was humiliated and sent out of the ruling party which
made her to automatically lose her seat. The next casualty was Ndey Njie. Even
though, she was among the three women who won seats in the 2002 Parliamentary
elections she was dropped during the selection process for candidature in
the 2007 Parliamentary Election.
Hence most women who have aspirations to serve their people have taken the
back seat as relatives caution them on the dangers of politics. Some merely
hope for political appointments as Ministers. Consequently, there are only 2
elected women in the Gambian Parliament. Since the APRC regime has retained the
monarchical powers kept by Jawara in appointing some members of the
National Assembly, a system inherited from the colonial governors, two other women
have been appointed to increase the number of women parliamentarians to
four; two elected and two appointed.
The Women for Democracy and Development (WODD) have recognised that the
women constitute half of the Gambian population and are the most active voters.
However they are the most neglected and marginalized from the decision making
organs of the country.
WODD intends to change the trend by waging a nationwide campaign to
sensitise women in particular and the society as a whole to acknowledge the role of
women as partners in decision making and development. It plans to promote the
emergence of sovereign Gambian women who are the architects of their own
destiny through civic education, literacy projects, mass sensitisation and
cooperative ventures.
Foroyaa welcomes WODD’s plan to prepare as many women as possible for
leadership. It is anticipated that through the cooperation between WODD, Foroyaa
and the People’s Centre a massive civic education drive will be consolidated
in 2008 and beyond so that the aim of WODD to pioneer the involvement of
women in elections as candidates up to the level of the presidency will be
enhanced. It is anticipated that the 2012 Parliamentary elections will witness the
largest participation of women candidates than the country had ever seen.
Foroyaa wishes to offer WODD a column for its exclusive use to propagate its
programmes: This includes a column in its emerging Web site, which will be
officially launched on 1st January 2008. The People’s Centre also offers 20.000
dalasi as a start to initiate a joint programme with WODD to train 30 adults in
literacy and numeracy with specific emphasis on the raising of their civic
and political awareness, so that they can serve as change agents and pioneers
in promoting the rights and welfare of women in particular and the people as
a whole. This will commence in January 2008.The People’s Centre will also
produce small booklets in the local languages to be utilised as reading and
learning materials to promote civic awareness, leadership qualities and
participatory practices in promoting general awareness and welfare of the
community.2008 shall be declared The Year of Enlightenment. Massive civic education shall
be done to consolidated the principle of the sovereignty of the people.
Before the end of 2008 it is anticipated that these trained women will become
enlightenment circles leaders in major population centres who will guide women
in their programme. They will be assisted to form cooperatives for mutual
benefit schemes and to form enlightenment to promote general awareness.
All women who are genuinely interested in the empowerment of their fellow
women in particular and the people as a whole should give their moral,
physical, intellectual, material and financial support to WODD.
Marabout Hamadi Sowe Still In Detention
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Marabout Hamadi Sowe, who was charged for concealment of treason in
connection with the 21 March 2006 coup plot is still incarcerated at the State
Central Prison. It is more than 18 months since the state counsel informed the
court about the state’s intention to withdraw the case but has not been effected.
Sowe was arrested at his residence in Ebo Town, almost a week after the
March 21 coup d’etat against the government. He was first charged alongside Alieu
Jobe and others but his trial was later separated. Sowe was tried alone by
Justice Sanji Monageng of the High Court.
In November last year, Mrs. Marley Woods, the state counsel, informed the
court about the state’s intention to withdraw the case. Again in mid November,
she told the court that they could not file the intended notice of
discontinuation of the case due to circumstances beyond their control. Mrs. Woods,
however applied for an adjournment, noting that by the proceedings date the
document would be available in court. The case was adjourned to the end of that
month. Since then Marabout Hamadi Sowe has been languishing in detention and
his case has not proceeded in court.
According to his family members, they were also informed by the defence
counsel about the intention of the state to withdraw the trial of their family
head. They lamented that they have waited for one year for his release but to
no avail. They said that the family members do visit him at Mile Two prison on
a weekly basis. The family members explained that Hamadi Sowe is very
distressed about his continued detention and the fact that his fate is still
unkown. They said that Hamadi is a Gambian national from Saloum. They called on the
authorities to consider the plight of the family of Hamadi and to release
him.
AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Sidia’s Reaction To Amendment Of Local Govt Act
“I Joined Politic Not To Promote Dictatorism And Absolutism” - Sidia
In his contribution to the amendment which sought among other things to give
power to the president to dismiss mayors, chairpersons and councilors, Sidia
said that he has not joined politics to promote dictatorship and absolutism.
He said he has joined politics to help empower the people to manage their
own affairs. He said he is not interested in usurping power from the people. He
contended that law amendment is not an easy matter particularly when one is
dealing with a constitution. The sections are so interconnected that if you
touch one section it is likely to impact on other sections. “How many times
have we been getting amendments on this Local Government Act? It is because
when amendments are proposed, the interconnectedness of the sections to be
amended are never treated properly. This particular amendment, to me, has come to
make Local Government elections unnecessary, absolutely unnecessary! The
fundamental objective of the new local government act is to empower the people to
make it possible for them to participate effectively and positively in the
management of their own affairs. That is the fundamental objective of the local
government act! But that is being taken away piece meal from them. The
seconder of the motion (Hon. Sulayman Joof) said that this amendment is a
straightforward one and we should not waste time. How can we when the authority and
sovereignty of the people are being assassinated in this very Assembly? How on
earth can an elected person be removed from office by an individual? Where
do we have that? What is the essence of election then, if many can elect and
one individual can remove that person elected by the many from office? I ask
myself, is there need for election for such a position? There is no need! We
have to come to terms with what we want. Do we want to empower the people to
manage their own affairs or do we want to disempower them? Do we want to usurp
their power and make them powerless and appoint some people to improperly,
ofcourse, manage their affairs? This amendment is unnecessary! It is
disempowering people! How can chairpersons, mayors/mayoress be dismissed from office
when they are elected by the people? Mayors/chairpersons are elected through
universal adult suffrage and somebody can come and remove them from office;
and that is fine! What is the essence of election then? There is no need for
somebody to vote for anyone under such a circumstance! I am vehemently opposed
to this amendment because it does not serve the purpose for which the local
government act historically has come to serve in this country and that is,
making it possible for people to manage their affairs; empowering them; giving
them confidence to have the ability to manage their own affairs. That is the
aim and objective of the new local government act but we are going backward to
pre Independence situation. We have to be decided as to whether we want to
empower the people or we want to disempower them. You talk about qualification
in Gambia Local Government Councils where English is the official language
and illiterates are elected to handle documents in English and you still talk
about qualification. When you talk about qualification, you are doing so to
the detriment of those who cannot read and write but who are also equal
members of those councils. Look! Let us think very seriously about the
circumstances and matters affecting our people in our councils. These are critical
issues. People have been elected by their peers to represent them and yet they are
powerless in those councils. They cannot speak their minds; they cannot
express their views for want of a language to do so. And you said these things are
simple! Ofcourse we will have constraints and the real constraints are not
been talked about here. What you raised here are not the constraints, the
constraints really have to do with communication at the level of councils. The
SoS lamented difficulties arising in regard to communication between councils
and the executive. I do not see any problems there. The real problem lies in
the use of English in a context where most members are illiterate. When you
have your budget in the councils, everything is in English, technically, can
those people say anything about that budget? No, they can’t! These were the
fundamental issues I raised when we were passing the local government act and
they are coming now piece meal. The sovereign will of the people is being eaten
away, being eaten way like ants on a piece of bread, eating it bit by bit and
then eventually there will be nothing left. How can one talk about people
being empowered to manage their own affairs in such a situation? No one under
those circumstances is empowered. I for one, I do not subscribe to this
amendment. What should be amended has not come; what should be amended is there
objectively but that doesn’t come. …. Speaker interrupted: “Please the Hon.
Member, can you stick to the debate, we are debating the local government
amendment. Please stick to the point on the floor. Sidia: That’s exactly what I am
doing madam! It is just that what I am saying is not to your liking. But
ofcourse, yes, I am speaking on the issue. I said, I have come into politics to
help empower people to manage their own affairs. I have not come into politics
to usurp power from the people. I am not interested in that! I think every
person is capable of managing his/her own affairs when he/she is aided in the
right way, not in this way. The Secretary of State talks about people
participating effectively in the debates of the councils. Is that not a paradox? Is
that not a contradiction because the debates in the councils are conducted in
English, therefore, people cannot participate effectively because English is
alien to them. That is why when we were passing the local government act I
argued that it should be made for people to participate since autonomy is what
is meant. Let us make it possible for them to speak their minds in their own
languages. What is the problem with people using their own languages in
council debates. People are speaking their own languages in assemblies just next
door and that does not create any problem. You must give people the means to
be empowered. But if you are taking those means from them and then you say
you are empowering them, that is a contradiction in terms. We have to look into
the whole issue of local government again, madam speaker. Honestly, there is
something fundamentally wrong, and if these issues are not addressed, we
will be coming here now and again to make amendments. Let us look at the issues
holistically and see what we want. I think we don’t know what we want and that
’s why we are doing the amendments piece meal. But the reality is that,
councils are in serious critical problems in this country. If you talk to
anybody, they will tell you themselves. To me, this is not solving the problems in
the councils and in fact, it is creating problems for the councils, because it
is taking their powers from them. Historically, this was the colonial
situation and the first government took over that law and they continued using it.
Those of you who can remember, Banjul City Council was dissolved here by the
first president of this republic and one person was appointed to take charge
of the management of The Council. Who can remember? I can remember! That
happened here! But that law is what was abrogated to make it possible for people
to elect and when you elect, you retain the power to get rid of the person.
That’s why, only the people of Wuli West can get rid of me from the Assembly
and not Mr. X or Miss Y, however powerful he/she maybe. That’s democracy! My
friends, these matters are so simple and we are always complicating them,
creating problems for ourselves why there should be no problems. These things
should have started smoothly. Can you realise the beauty in people managing
their own affairs? There is nothing more beautiful than that. Madam speaker,
section 1(2) of the republican constitution states very clearly and we must
always come to that, and that is: “The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the
people of The Gambia from whom (my emphasis) all organs of government derive
their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the
powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this constitution.”
This is what this particular amendment wants to take away from them. To
conclude, madam speaker, my view is that this is a conspiracy against the sovereign
power of the people and I am not subscribing to it and I will never
subscribe to it because I am out to help them have the power to do their things with
a sovereign pride.
Thank you.
Ex-KMC Mayor Still Reporting
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The Ex-Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council former Chief Scout Master, Mr
Alieu Momar Njie has continued to report at the Police after he had been
discharged by the Kanifing Magistrates Court.
Lawyer Conteh, counsel for Mr Njie, said his client was asked to report to
the police on Monday 12 November, but was asked to return the following day,
Tuesday 13 November. He said when Mr. Njie returned on Tuesday he was ordered
to report back on Friday the 15th where he was asked to provide a bail bond
of D1 million dalasis with two Gambian sureties. He said that Mr. Njie was
never put under any form of arrest and was not charged throughout the
procedure. Mr. Conteh noted that no official reasons were advanced by the police as to
his client’s numerous reporting to the police. Lawyer Conteh indicated that
though they have fulfilled the bail condition and that Mr. Njie is expected
to report back to the police tomorrow, Tuesday 20 November. The police
spokesperson cold not be reached for comment as he was in the provinces.
It could be re-called that Alieu Momar Njie was standing trial for the
allegation of stealing D4 million dalasis from The Gambia Scouts Association
Coffers. As the trial was in progress on 7 November, the Attorney General entered
in a “Nolle Prosequi,” that the trial shall not continue but be discontinued
forthwith. Few day after that Mr. Njie was surprisingly asked by the police
to report to the Police Headquarters in Banjul.
Prosecution Addresses Court In Alleged Senegalese Insurgents’ Trial
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Director of Public Prosecution has addressed the Banjul Magistrates
Court on Thursday urging it to consider the statements obtained from the first
and second accused persons while under police interrogation.
Emmanuel Fagbenle told the court that statements of Tijan Jarju and Ebrima
Colley, first and second accused persons respectively, were not obtained under
duress, torture or threat.
The prosecutor’s address emerged as a result of a trial within a trial (vior
dire) meant to prove the voluntariness of the statements of the first and
the second accused persons. The duo are on trial alongside seven others, all
charged with terrorism, spying and related offence.
Mr. Fagbenle submitted that the prosecution had called three witnesses who
have testified that the statements were obtained voluntarily, adding that they
were all consistent and not shaken. He urged the court to take testimonies
of the defendants as afterthought, who he said did not call any witnesses in
court to prove their case as after thought. Mr. Fagbenele disclaimed the
argument of the first accused person that he was beaten, noting that there was no
injury or blood stain shown to the court.
The prosecutor argued that the only evidence the first accused produced in
court was the abusive statement from one Jobe, towards the accused person’s
mother.
He finally said the court should admit the cautionary statement of the first
accused, as evidence, since there was no threat and his mum who he claimed
was insulted was not even arrested.
Addressing the court on the second accused, Ebrima Colley, Mr. Fagbenle said
the man showed two kinds of scars-black and yellow. According to the
prosecutor the scars on the hands, knees, legs are all of the same age and he (the
accused person) admitted that those on the legs are a year older than the
rest. Mr. Fagbenle added that there is nothing in the records showing that Musa
Kinteh and Edrissa Jobe have participated in the recording of his statements.
He said there is nothing in Ebrima’s testimony corroborating his claim of
torture or beatings.
Here again, he urged the court to reject the second accused person’s
evidence. For his part, the first accused person, Sidat Jarju, said he is very sure
of his claim of being beaten while under integration by investigators. He
said he had never seen the independent witness before, expect in court, and
Edrissa Jobe dictated him while Salif Nyang recorded the statement. Mr. Sidat
finally urged the court to reject the statements of the prosecution. Also
addressing the court Ebrima Colley said they were beaten in order to accept that
they were given money the Senegalese.
The trial continuous on November 21st.
Fire And Ambulance Service Celebrates Service To Humanity
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service has on Friday November 16, observed
their Re-Open Day, an event meant to celebrate their service to humanity. The
day was simultaneously marked in Basse and Serrekunda with demonstration for
the public and school children on how they fight fire and the constraints
involved in doing so.
Speaking at the Churchill’s Town Fire Station, the Serrekunda Assistant
Divisional Fire Officer, Demba Kujabi, urged the public to desist from tampering
with hose lines and creating tensions during fire incidents. “This normally
jeopardizes our operations,” Mr. Kujabi said.
Commenting on the recent fire incident at the Serrekunda Market, he said the
public has been passing unnecessary criticism against them without knowing
the facts.
He said: “I would like to notify the public that the tank capacity of our
fire tender are used in fire (vehicles that fighting) carry 1000 liters of
water which can be emptied on to a fire through our fire hoses within a time
frame of three minutes”. Mr. Kujabi argued that these tenders are first aid fire
fighting vehicles where hydrants are required at all times.
He added: “These vehicles have been used for quite a long time before being
shipped to the Gambia. I would therefore disagree to the concept of fire
fighters arriving to a fire scene without water”.
He said if the power take-off fails, water cannot be discharged from the
tender thereby causing operational failure. “But there is always a back-up team
from the nearest fire station,” he added.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
IN THE 1988 CORRUPTION SCANDALS;
EDITOR MANNEH CHARGE WITH LIBEL
With Suwaibou Touray
Read The Verdict
We have been focusing on politics to highlight events of political
significance from Pre-Colonial to Post-Independence era. The objective of the column
is to help inform our young people in particular and the Nation in general to
reflect on the Past in order to shape a better future for our children under
the sun.
We have stopped where we said the Nation Newspaper called on the ministers
who were accused by the TORCH to prove their innocence rather than behaving as
if they were untouchables and asked the police to stop threatening editor
Manneh.
Let us continue from where we have stopped.
We will herewith go straight to the verdict delivered by Hon. Mr. W. G.
Grant on the libel case between Inspector General of Police Versus Editor Sanna
Manneh on Wednesday 5 of April, when he delivered his judgment in 1989. Hon.
Granted cited section 20 (2) a of the constitution of the Republic of The
Gambia which provides that, “every person who is charged with a criminal offence;
(a) shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty
”. Based on this fundamental principle in mind, he said he would examine the
evidence led by the prosecution. He also called on all to remember also that
the prosecution has to prove that the allegations made by the accused were
not true. He then asked, “Has that been done?
On the allegations that a German philanthropist donated buses to school
children in the Gambia but Hon. Lamin Saho diverted them into his own use;
Hon. Grante went on to say that Guntar Schmitters told this court that he
bought the buses in Germany and assigned them to his private partnership
enterprise in the Gambia. Hon Grante maintained that no document was produced
before the court to show that he used his private funds to buy the buses; that
what Guntar said was he registered the charitable Organisation that consigned
the buses to the Gambia. There is no entry in the books of Transgambia
Transport Services to show that the buses were indeed either bought by Guntar
Schmitters or by his private enterprise, he said. The Magistrate asserted that
It is common knowledge that a charitable organisation collects funds for
charitable purposes and not for the benefit of an individual who is himself the
founder of the charity. He also said Guntar Schmitters has taken away all the
documents relating to the buses. What was the motive behind this? Was it
deliberate or was it by design? He asked. The magistrate however said whatever
the motive may be, there is no proof before this court that Guntar Schmitters
bought the buses for his private enterprise in The Gambia or that the Trans
Gambia Transport Services ever purchased them. In the course of his evidence
he quoted Guntar Schmitters who said:
“Dr. Saho was not involved. Except
That I asked him to arrange matters through Mrs. Saho.”
The meaning of this he said is clear to view. ‘Indeed what this court
understands him to say is “Don’t come to the forefront. Stay behind and let your
wife act for you.”
Mr Grante then went on to deal with the evidence concerning the buses before
going on to the other items.
The evidence of Mrs. NDella Saho, wife of Dr Lamin Saho, he said did not
help to establish that the buses were meant for Trans Gambia Transport Services.
She was confused in the witness box under cross-examination. Her evidence
did not show that what was written by the Accused was untrue he asserted.
Dr. Lamin Saho he said tried as much as possible to show that he was not
connected with the buses but as he said he failed to do this. In the course of
the trial Mrs. Saho has said that she and Guntar Schmitters has been going to
the Customer for two weeks in order to clear the buses but could not and was
getting fed up. It was at that stage he said Mrs. Saho enlisted the aid of
Dr. Saho. Of course the buses were cleared off the customs that very day when
Dr. Saho intervened and the buses were taken to the premises of Dr. Saho the
Magistrate maintained.
The senior magistrate concluded that it is by our constitution for the
prosecution to prove the guilt to the accused. In this respect he said it must be
proved that what the accused wrote about the buses was untrue. Has the
prosecution done so? He asked.
The defence of the accused he said is that the accusation is true and that
it was for the benefit of the public that it should be published. The accused
is the editor and publisher of the Newspaper “The Torch” whose motto is “In
the pursuit of truth we shall live”. The newspaper is sold to members of the
public at D2 per copy. It is not a private note or letter containing
allegations. The evidence brought by the prosecution fell short of establishing that
the allegations were false the magistrate concluded.
He also said he has watched the demeanor of the witnesses in this connection
and had no doubt whatsoever that they were not speaking the truth.
It is a fact that buses were consigned to The Gambia by Kindergeten
Wattenschied ev, but asked were they consigned to be used by a private enterprise for
the founder of the charitable organization’s personal benefit? Obviously NO
he said .He also said if Guntar Schmitters said he bought them and consigned
them to his private enterprise, then where are the documents to support this
statement?' he asked. He maintained that what was produced to the court did
not support Guntar Schmitters’ statement.
‘I find as a fact and I entertain no doubt whatsoever that the buses were
consigned by a charitable organisation to the Trans Gambia as trustee for the
benefit of the school children in The Gambia. I have also observed that “
Transgambia” is not the same as Transgambia Transport Services. However as
Transgambia Transports Services had cleared the buses and has been using the buses,
I hold that they were doing so as trustees.” It is trite law he said that a
Trustee cannot benefit from a trust. He said he noted that Guntar Schmitters
had taken from the earnings of the buses, which was over D91, 000-00, and Mrs.
Ndella Saho had also taken over D22, 000-00.
The magistrate then turned his attention to the drug deal. He said the
article in the Torch newspaper did not say what type of drug it was. The time of
the donation was during the campaign against the meningitis episode he
clarified.
The evidence of the prosecution on this charge he said is that anti-snake
serum was brought into this country by Mr. Hans Juergen Kuglin and handed over
to Dr. Saho for sale to government. Dr. Saho placed an invoice using the
letterhead of Afrika Hillswerk e.v. a company which has been proscribed in
Germany. He said Dr. Fred Oldfield said that Dr. saho was not authorized to sell
drugs; that when the then Minister of Health, Hon. M. C Jallow got to know of
the invoice, he was invited to explain. “Having explained he was advised by
the Minister that should it be a useful produce and should the Medical and
health need it, then he should purchase it.” Saho further said under
cross-examination that he did not always know when free drugs were donated to the Medical
and Health the Magistrate asserted.
PW 10 Mr. Denton, the magistrate said the Accountant General divulged that
government paid the sum of D23, 000-00 in respect of the purchase of the
anti-snake serum. See Exhibits “X”, “X1”, “X2” respectively. The cheque he
said was drawn in the name of Afrika Hillswerk and Dr. Saho signed as recipient
of payment.
Dr. Saho he said had been anxious to receive payment from the Chief
Pharmacist Mr. Binka and wrote a threatening letter using the Ministry of Agriculture
letterhead.He said Payment was made to him in September 1986, but Mr. Kuglin
only received the amounts in bits, December 1986, June 1987 and in 1988.
From the foregoing, it is quite clear that Mr. Kuglin with the help of Dr.
Saho evaded paying customs duty when he knew he was bringing drugs to sell to
government at a profit.
From the Chief Pharmacists letter to Dr. Saho, he said he expected the
anti-snake serum to be a donation as he had given him a list of badly needed
drugs. This was never denied by Dr. Saho in his reply see Exhibit “Z”.
The payment was made in September 1986 but Mr. Kuglin did not receive the
whole amount government paid until sometime in 1988. The money was in the first
instance paid to a defunct organisation. The Gambia branch of that
organisation should have ceased functioning in 1985 when the parent company was
proscribed. The Gambia branch according to its constitution could only operate
through the parent organisation; however contrary to its constitution, Dr. Lamin
Saho continued to operate it in The Gambia.
‘The purchase of the anti-snake serum should not have taken place and
certainly it was contrary to the Drugs Act that it was purchased. The then Minister
of Health, a politician like Dr. Saho certainly had to intervene before
payment was effected. The accused said he had documents to support the sale to
government, and the evidence of the prosecution confirmed this,’ he said.
See next edition of Focus as we continue the narration of the most important
of Historical lessons.
Interview with Halifa Sallah
Part 11
Will an alternative approach to politics work? Isn’t it the reason why some
people feel that PDOIS continues to lag behind any new party?
These are the notions some critics put in the minds of the people. They
claim that the politics of enlightenment is unsuitable for Africa . They argue
that we speak above the heads of the people. However, none of our teachers
actually point out which opposition party has found the right formula to enable
them to grow from strength to defeat a ruling party. Instead it is
PDOIS which gains steadily while the others lose support base and even go
out of existence like the PDP and the GPP or are completely swallowed up by the
ruling party like the NCP: We must therefore be doing something right. What
is in fact interesting is how history proves us right without any critic
acknowledging the fact. tTake the 1997 constitution. Some opposition party
members campaigned to isolate us by claiming that we misled people to support the
constitution and thus kept the military in office; Today those same people are
campaigning against Jammeh for either violating or amending the constitution
but no one has asked them whether they are now acknowledging that we were
right that the provisions of the 1997 Constitution are more profound in mast
respect than the provisions of the 1970 Constitution. During the coup and in its
aftermath we were offered ministerial posts but we rejected the offer and
many condemned us only to come to agree that we were right This has been the
joy of our political evolution. We have been able to go against the wave only
for our critics to eventually come back to accept our course of action; In
terms of mass mobilization for change, sooner or later, people will come to
realize that the opposition can never take over leadership in a country like the
Gambia unless they all join us in raising the awareness of the people. We
examined Gambian politics scientifically to come to such a conclusion.
Can you explain what you mean?
We did not just get up and establish a party. We did our home work and we
knew why opposition parties could not make progress as long as they adopted the
methods of the ruling party. It was clear to us that the ruling party was in
control of state resources and its members could dish out positions and
privileges. Business persons could get letters of credit to carry on their
businesses, some relied on the state to receive guarantees to get loans; some
relied on the state to sell their transports , office equipment and stationeries;
and receive contracts for constructions and so on. Consequently those who
receive favours from the state also become the patrons of the ruling party. The
poor villagers and social groups rely on them for patronage and thus avail
them the opportunity to promote the support base of the ruling party. On the
other hand; the executive has authority to influence public appointments and
the closer a person became to the ruling party the greater the chances of being
given advantages in appointments. The state also controlled banks, marketing
boards, hotels and other public corporations. They could give production and
subsistence credits to villagers, give rice and oil to retailers and help
some to be more equal in receiving food aid and other support. In short there is
no separation between party and state.
Hence wherever one goes in the country one finds the most influential
families, businessmen, leaders of women and youth organizations aligned to the
ruling party. Those who are left out become disgruntled and therefore ally
themselves to the first opposition party which comes along. The third opposition
party also takes the next layer of disgruntled persons who are left by the main
parties and the pyramid goes to eternity with the support base of new
parties getting thinner and thinner unless they can exceed others in wealth to
expand their own patronage beyond the capacity of other parties to deliver. Some
of the people who patronise opposition parties do so because of their failure
to win contracts or win favours from the ruling party. Hence once they
become a threat they are easily offered contracts and they live the opposition
party to tumble because of the lack of financiers. Cross carpeting therefore
becomes the best instrument for the promotion of personal interest at the
expense of opposition parties.
What is the significance of all these notions?
We came to realize that the politics of patronage will lead us to an impasse
since no one would patronise us to out do the ruling party in spending. We
had the option to resort to the logic that “if you cannot beat them join them”
or adopt another approach. We were convinced that behind all the façade of
populism 80 per cent of the population were living in huts in the villages
or congested housing conditions in the urban areas with a guaranteed destiny
of living and dying in poverty only to leave their children and grand children
behind to take the same route of the wretched of the earth. We knew that we
have a message for them and we made it our primary task to prepare the ground
to reach out to the poor of the society so as to empower them to take charge
of their destiny. It became clear to us that we had to perform the long and
hard struggle of going from village to village , sleep on the grass
mattresses infected with lice and bedbugs, drink from the jars and accept to be called
satan for coming out against a regime which some are often led to believe is
ordained by a super natural force. We started the politics of mental
liberation. We first started where the most neglected live. Our first tour started
in Wuli. This tour was our initiation ceremony into the true nature of Gambian
politics. The lessons I have learned taught me the lesson that the best way
to dominate a human being is to keep him /her ignorant. Enslave the mind and
you enslave the person. Liberate the mind and you liberate the person.
What do you mean in practical terms?
One of my memorable encounters is the bare footed farmer we met at the
outskirt of Foday Kunda; His callous hands, torn clothes, chapped feet and
disappearing teeth placed us face to face with the dehumanising nature of poverty.
It was very clear to us that no human being with clear perceptions of the
feasibility of a better life will resign to such a despicable state of existence
of having no present and no future.
To be continued
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
‘TUMAL’ (ACCUSATION)
By Amie Silah
Victor and Emily were young devoted lovers. Victor is also a jealous lover.
Emily’s clans have a bad reputation. People believe they don’t make good
wives. They are classified beautiful but tradition holds that when a man marries
one of their lot he ends up sharing his wife with other men. They were
cursed according to legend. This is a strong among the locals. Victor’s parents
opposed him when he intended to marry Emily. “We have identified a wife for
you. She is from a good family. Don’t marry Emily. She is from a cursed clan.
Their women are promiscuous,” Mama Ebi advised. Victor protested. “We are from
the same university. Emily is a nice, responsible girl. I’ll marry her,” he
challenged. “Don’t say we have not warned you!” put in Daddy Peter, Victor’
s father. They both graduated. Victor worked for a Foreign Firm while Emily
worked as a graduate teacher. Victor married his campus sweet heart. Did the
prophesy come true? Read to find out.
A Beautiful, Well-Trained Girl
Emily is a well trained girl from a traditional Christian family. She is an
only child of a retired university vice chancellor. Her mum is a hospital
matron. She has recently graduated from the university and is now a graduate
teacher.
Lovers Devote To Each Other
Victor and Emily are devoted to each other. They loved themselves and
whished to spend their lives together as husband and wife. They announced the good
news to their families.
Victor’s Parents Are Subjective
Victor visited Mama Ebi and Pa Peter at the village. He announced his
intention to marry a campus sweet heart. His parents have another plan. They wanted
him to marry a neighbour’s child, Rose. He rejected their proposal. “I am
in love with Emily. We have been growing together in campus. I love her. She
suits my taste. She is disciplined, lovely and compassionate. I don’t know Rose
not to talk about loving her”. Victor argued. “Rose is a Nurse-midwife. She
is working for the mission as a Senior Nursing Officer. She has a good job
and a good pay. She will be an asset to you. She is part of our community. She
respectS our customers and traditions”. “I’m sorry, Emi is my choice. She
is my cross”. Victor stuck to his guts.
Uncle Phil And Aunty Jos
Uncle Phil is a retired university vice chancellor and Aunty Jos is a
retired hospital matron. They are devoted and still love themselves after fifty
years of marriage. They are fondly referred to as the old couple. They loved
their only daughter. They discussed about her with fondness. “Emy is just like
you, in tidiness and brilliance. Also very sensitive just like you. I can
remember when I came to the village, newly graduated. Infact, the first in my
village. Ours was an arranged marriage. My parents would not want me to marry an
outsider. I was lucky we experienced love at first sight. I did not regret
marrying you, my love”. He rose and kissed his wife. “You were a nervous
village girl”. “Stop it! That was years ago,” Aunty Jos said.
Suspicion
Victor is a jealous lover. His parent’s subjectivism is also in his mind. He
was driving his car when he spotted Emily speaking to a young man and
showing him direction. He misconceived it.
Accusation
Emily visited her fiancé and got the shock of her life. He accused her of
infidelity. “I am stupid! My parents have warned me! I saw you frolicking with
that young man. You cannot keep away your tricks even before we are married?”
Victor accused. “What are you talking about? I was explaining a direction to
the young man who was lost in the city. You call that frolicking? Don’t you
trust me? If not? Then why do you want to marry me?” Emy challenged. “I am
stupid! I don’t know”. “Let’s call off our relationship! I can’t marry
someone who distrusts me”. Emily walked out on Victor. He was furious. “Come here
Emy! Are you walking out on me?” Emy ignored him and went home.
In Distress
Emy was in great distress. Victor had hurt her pride. “What have I done to
deserve this?” She cried. She came home and walked past her parents without
greeting them. Her parents were worried. “What is happening?” Mum asked. “Find
out! That’s why you are a mother,” Dad challenged.
Mum Finds Out
Mum followed Emy into her bed room. She found her crying. She hugged her. “
What is it my sunshine! Speak to mummy. I am all ears. You know you can talk
to me,” Mama said. She gave her time to sob, and then she said, “It is
Victor. He distrusts me. He accuses me of frolicking”. “What happened? Why?” “A
young man met me at the roadside and asked me for direction. He was lost. I
directed him. Victor passed me and refused to pick me up, apparently
misconceiving my interaction with the guy”. “Is that all? Have you explained to him?” “
He would not give me a chance. He accused me right away and regretted loving
me”. “Okay! Take it easy. He will come back. You are experiencing teething
problems. We have all passed through that stage,” Mama encouraged her
daughter.
Dad Enquires
Aunty Jos came smiling. “What was the problem?” Daddy asked. “Lovers’
fight,” Mama reported smiling. “It reminded me of our pass experience. How you
stayed at my neck giving me no breathing space”. “Dad! Stop it!” Dad laughed
over it. “They will learn just as we did and are still sticked together after
fifty years”. Mama winked her eyes at dad.
He Apologized
Victor was pist up. He regretted doubting his campus love and hurting her
heart. He visited Emily at home. Dad and mum were amused. “Where is Emy Mum?” “
In her bedroom,” Mum replied. She gigged and pinched dad as Victor rushed to
Emily’s bedroom . “I apologize for doubting your innocence. I love you
Emily. I cannot bear it if you leave me. I’ll die. You are my life, my sunshine!
Have you forgive “me?” He kissed her. “I forgive you. But never doubt me. I
did not grow in that tradition. My mum and dad are living lovers. I cannot
flirt. My parent are faithful to each other. Trust me when I give you an
explanation”. “Okay! It’s alright I was just being stupid. I don’t want to lose
you”. They ended up in each other’s arms.
The Marriage
The marriage was a big affair. The Jacksons have to show their weight. They
saved for their only child’s marriage. Victor too was an only son. The church
wedding was glamorous. Victor’s parents decided to do a village ceremony at
a later date. They wanted to make it a big affair were all the age grades
will manifest themselves. Victor loved his wife with a passion. He lingers
around her like bee to honey. It was a dream come true.
To be cont’d
CHILDREN’S CORNER
On Basic Education:
11.5 M Boys and Girls Out Of School
By Amie Sanneh
(Courtesy Of UNICEF)
The importance of Education in children cannot be overemphasized as they are
the cream of the society. This edition of Children’s Corner shows the
Primary School enrolment of the children a study conducted by Unicef.
Primary school enrolment is on the upswing in many countries, as government
leaders realize their countries’ futures are directly tied to the education
of their children. But far too many primary-school-age children remain out of
school, about 115 million girls and boys.
Even with enrolment rates increasing, two other challenges exist- young
people’s failure to complete an education and gender disparity within schools.
National data report higher enrolment rates than household surveys, which
identify children enrolled in but not attending school. Young people are less
likely to go to school if they are from poor households, rural areas or families
in which mothers are not educated. UNICEF reaches out to excluded children
through girls’ education initiatives, campaigns to abolish school fees, efforts
to reduce child labour, promotion of bilingual education for indigenous
students and instructional opportunities for disabled children and young people
affected by AIDS.
Success in school completion rates begins with school readiness. UNICEF has
worked with Cambodia, China, Georgia and Uzbekistan to develop national
school readiness standards, supported parental education initiatives and preschool
programmes in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Moldova, Romania, Togo and the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and pushed for specialized education
for children with disabilities in Belarus and Jamaica.
UNICEF supports child-friendly schools — places that are safe, healthy,
stimulating, gender-sensitive and student-centred. By the end of 2006, 54
countries had adopted quality standards for primary education modelled after the
child-friendly school blueprint.
Child-friendly schools — which incorporate potable water, clean,
gender-segregated sanitation facilities and hygiene education — affect lives beyond the
classroom. Students bring hygiene lessons home from school, changing
behaviour within households. Water, sanitation and hygiene education allow girls to
go to school. Central water sources free girls from the onerous and often
dangerous task of fetching water. Gender-segregated facilities afford girls and
young women privacy and alleviate parents’ fears about the safety and dignity
of their daughters.
In 2006, UNICEF expanded school water and sanitation coverage in 85
countries, up from 76 in 2004. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Pakistan, for example, participatory hygiene education and safe,
gender-Segregated facilities have been included in national education guidelines. In
India and Kenya, major studies on the impact and sustainability of school water,
sanitation and hygiene initiatives were launched in 2006.
Girls’ education remains a priority for UNICEF, with country offices
reporting that 69 countries had national plans for reducing gender disparity, an
increase from 59 in 2005. In 2006, Côte d’Ivoire developed a national girls’
education acceleration strategy, Mali adopted specific measures for improving
access to education for girls living in poor, rural areas and initiated
gender-based teacher training, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo encoded
universal access to primary education into its new constitution.
In 2006, school fees were abolished in selected grades in Sierra Leone, and
in Lesotho free education was expanded to all seven primary grades. UNICEF
supported scholarships and other financial incentives in Kenya and Liberia, and
augmented scholarships in Guatemala’s poorest municipalities to help keep
girls in school.
Furthering girls’ education, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative
(UNGEI), a dynamic partnership between nearly three dozen UN agencies,
donors non-governmental organizations and other entities, expanded to include 36
countries. A two-year joint UNICEF-UNESCO Education for All plan was adopted
in Turkmenistan. Joint basic and girls’ education initiatives took hold in
Egypt and Mozambique, and UNICEF technical assistance helped secure more than
$42 million for Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Tajikistan and $70 million for Rwanda,
with a special focus on girls’ education.
Non-formal education has been expanded for excluded and older children. In
Bangladesh, for example, 50,000 urban children were admitted into 2,000 new
learning centres as part of the Basic Education for Hard-to-Reach Urban Working
Children project. Students between ages 10 and 14, mostly girls, participate
in lively discussions and acquire basic life skills with the goal of
breaking the cycle of poverty. In Myanmar, a national ‘Let’s Read’ initiative
engages young people who do not attend formal school in life skills training and
HIV-prevention education.
Gambia Raises Funds To Fight Poverty
By Annia Gaye
With the objective of mobilizing resources for the implementation of the
activities of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), The Gambia and its
development partners are organizing a Roundtable Conference on November 20/21 in
Geneva, Switzerland.
The government will present and discuss the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
(PRSP) II, worth $876 million with its development partners with the aim of
mobilizing funds for a result oriented implementation of the PRSP.
Mr. Ngum, Chairman of the National Planning Commission had told a
stakeholders sensitisation meeting last week that “this will be the fifth roundtable
conference since 1990 when the first roundtable was held on the Programme for
Sustained Development (PSD) followed by an Economic and Capacity Building
(EMCBP) conference in 1992, the Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (SPA) conference
in 1994 and the macro Economic issues and social sectors (Population Health
and Education) conference in 1998”.
He noted that the meeting would also aim to deepen the development dialogue
and enhance partnership building and consolidation between the government and
development partners so as to strengthen their appreciation of government’s
development agenda. He further noted that in addition to the PRSP, a series
of thematic papers covering the crucial areas of the PRSP such as employment,
growth and competitiveness under the integrated framework governance, climate
change, gender, health education, legal sector strengthening, civil service
reform and strengthening the national statistics system have been prepared
and would be shared during the two-day consultations.
He concluded that the donor consultation process would target the donor
community both collectively and individually in a series of bilateral
interactions where government would develop sector or theme specific proposals to
address specific sectoral needs.
Finance Secretary of State Gaye told the sensitisation meeting that, the
forthcoming round table conference of The Gambia has come an appropriate time. “
The government of The Gambia prepared its first Strategy for Poverty
Alleviation (SPA1) in 1994 and SPA11 or PRSP1 with view to reducing poverty.
Although, SPA1 and PRSP1 were both implemented, the results were less satisfactory.
Currently PRSP II has been finalized, and it is a five year planning framework
to assist The Gambia in its efforts to achieve the MDGs and also the goals
of vision 2020,” he stated.
He added that, The Gambia seeks to realise both the vision 2020 and MDGs
through a series of five year development plans.
He noted that the long-term goals of PRSP II is to eradicate poverty by
increasing national income through sustained economic growth, reducing income and
non-income inequalities through poverty reduction priority interventions,
ensuring maximum private sector participation and investing in people. He
further noted that PRSP II incorportes strategies and an action plan that are
fully costed at sectoral levels. He revealed that the total cost of implementing
the PRSP II programme is estimated to be US$876 million and said The Gambia
would be in a better position to meet from its own domestic resources about
US$335 million of the cost of the programme. He further revealed that this
leaves a funding gap of US$441 million. “However, the availability of HIPC and
MDRI funds estimated at US$50 million for the PRSP would reduce the funding gap
from $441 million to US$391 million for the five year period. If The Gambia
is to meet the programmed development targets or MDG targets set in this
PSRP11, then development partners are expected to commit themselves to fill the
funding gap of $310 million, equivalent to $62 million annually from 2007 to
2011 in order to help The Gambia achieve the Millennium Development Goals by
2015, and the vision 2020 goals,” he said.
He concluded by stating the five pillars of the PRSPII which he said are (1)
improving the enabling policy environment to promote growth and poverty
reduction, enhancing the capacity and output of productive sectors, Agriculture,
Fisheries, Industry, Trade and Tourism with emphasis on the productive
capacity of the poor and vulnerable populations and mainstreaming cross-cutting
issues, gender, population, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition and Environment into the
development process.
For his part the Deputy UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Vitalie muntean
noted that the forthcoming round table would provide a unique opportunity to
further strengthen engagement and dialogue with The Gambia’s development
partners on the basis of the second generation PRSP, in which the approach taken is
based on the 2005 Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness.
He said the UNDP role is to focus on developing the government’s capacity to
lead and own the aid coordination process to facilitate a multi-stakeholder
dialogue in the interest of reaching development out comes. He therefore said
“In this sense UNDP has been supporting The Gambia government’s analytical
capacity to design, cost and plan an MDG-based poverty reduction strategy
that has the chance of ensuring donor support and finance, through a transparent
process resting on mutual accountability, monitoring and evaluation, as well
as predictability of development resources.”
He reiterated that UDNP is ready to play its role as a trusted development
partner, and to provide its continuous support to capacity development efforts
toward the successful implementation of the PRSP.
German National Deported From The Gambia
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Mr. Birk Carl Padberk, a German National who was recently convicted by the
Banjul Magistrates Court, was on Thursday 15 November declared a “Prohibited
Immigrant” by the Immigration Department. He was subsequently deported to his
native Germany.
According to the Immigration Spokesperson, Superintendent Olimatou Jammeh
Sonko, the development arose after the Foroyaa’s publication about the
conviction of Mr. Padberk on child pornography in the country. Spokesperson Jammeh
Sonko explained that to declare Mr. Padberk “prohibited immigrant,” means
that he would never be allowed on Gambians soil again. Mrs. Jammeh Sonko said
that Mr. Padberk was escorted by Immigration Personnel to the Banjul
International Airport where he boarded Condo flight back to Germany and never to return
to The Gambia again. It could be recalled that Mr. Birk Carl Padberk was
convicted for the second time by Magistrate B.Y Camara on two counts (illegal
importation of a fire arm and 10 rounds ammunition and possession of fire arms
without proper authority). He was sentenced to a fine of D5,000 dalasis and
in default to serve 18 months in prison. Birk carl Padberk was said to have
been living in The Gambia since 1973.
Brikama Community Radio Extends Nation-Wide Coverage
By Gibairu Janneh
The community radio station in Brikama, commonly known as FMB village, has
recently installed 500-watt power transmitter for its studio, thereby
extending its coverage to the whole nation.
According to the studio Programme Manager, Mr. Yusupha Bojang, the
transmitter was donated to the station by Action Aid The Gambia on the 18 of July 2007
and was installed a week ago. He said that the coverage of the radio station
which used to be limited only to Brikama Town and its surrounding villages
has now been extended to the whole of Western Region, the Nuimis in the NBR,
LRR and up to Kaolock in neighbouring Senegal. He further said that this new
development now poses a great challenge to the radio as it needs to come up
with more educative programmes for the wide range of listeners. He disclosed
that upon receiving the transmitter the management of the studio has decided to
embark on capacity building for its staff which he said will take place as
soon as possible to update their skills and techniques on radio presentation.
When asked about the problems the radio is facing, Mr. Bojang said the
greatest problem of the radio is inadequate staff. He said that most of the staff
of the radio are serving on voluntary basic which affects the provision of
enough programmes to satisfy the listners. He however said that plans are under
way to put the staff on salary basis. He also called on civil society
organisations and the business community to come forward and petronise the radio so
as to help it generate the much needed funds that will sustain the radio.
The Managing Directress of the radio Mrs. Mbinkinding Sanneh, alias Mbi
Sanneh explained the challenges facing them and also expressed gratitude to
Action Aid International The Gambia for the support it has given to the Radio FMB.
Banjul Add to Sukuta’s Woes
By Madiba Singhateh and Sulayman Bah
Banjul had added to Sukuta’s Super Nawettan woes defeating them 2-1 at the
Serrekunda East grounds on Saturday.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Banjul after striker Ousman Jange
headed in the 32nd minute to put them in the lead. Sukuta hoping to force their
way back into the game in the second period found themselves 2-0 down from an
own goal by defender Ousman Badjie.
But skipper Ousman Jarjue pulled one back to end the match 2-1. Sukuta will
now play Bakau on Tuesday at the Serrekunda East grounds and they need all
three points from that game with a high number of goals to stand any chance of
qualifying to the semis.
Bakau Edge Pass SK East
By Lamin Komma
Bakau pulled a surprise 1-0 defeat to defending champions Serrekunda East on
Saturday at the West grounds.
Pateh Nyang scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute in a match
that pitted two of the big sides in the competition. And with only two minutes
added for injury time, Bakau held out to collect all three points.
Serrekunda East went into the game with three points from their first match
against Sukuta, but Bakau who played a goalless draw with Banjul in their
opening match, frustrated the easterners and waited late to inflict the injury.
East were on the attack from the start and in the 13th minute Abdoulie Njie,
the Bakau keeper was forced to flick over the bar for corner. And from that
moment East controlled the pace of the match trying to open the Bakau defence.
Serrekunda East had two clear opportunities to take the lead in the second
half but the brilliance of Abdoulie Njie, held them at bay.
And when the match was destined for a draw with only two minutes added for
stoppage, Nyang was on hand to tap in and killing-off the match
Gunjur Hold Serrekunda West
By Sulayman Bah
Gunjur held Serrekunda West in a 1-1 draw at the yesterday at the Serekunda
East football grounds in the Super Nawettan Championship.
The lowly Western Region side where unlucky not to have picked all three
points largely due to their inexperience. Sainey Gibba put them in the lead in
the 31st minute capitalising from a poor goal keeping by the West keeper who
failed to handle properly a long drive outside of his area.
Gunjur earlier missed three clear chances twice from the mishandling by the
West goalkeeper and the other hitting the top angle of the post from the
spot. West were however allowed by the loose playing style of Gunjur to push
forward and were twice denied an equaliser by good timing of the Gunjur keeper.
And just before the end of the first period, Serrekunda West pulled level
when Ebrima Drammeh struck home from a beautiful cross registering his third in
the competition. The second half witnessed both sides pushing forward for
the winner and Serrekunda West came closest in the closing minutes but the ball
could not find its way through the thick wall of legs inside the Gunjur area.
The result has now opened a possibility for Gunjur to progress to the
semi-final and the final matches of the group on Wednesday, will determine who
qualify to the semis. Brikama, who are on a hundred percent record in the
competition so far, saw off Lamin with a 2-1 score line on the same day at the West
Grounds. They will play Serrekunda West on Wednesday for their last group
match at Serrekunda East, whilst Gunjur take on Lamin at the West Grounds to try
to secure their passage to the semi-final.‘
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