Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 76/007, 2 – 3 July 2007
Editorial
WHOSE AFRICA? WHOSE GOVERNMENT?
WHOSE STATE?
THE GRAND DEBATE ON AFRCAN UNITY
Since 2005, the question of building a union government had been on the
agenda. Seven heads of state, were mandated by the 6 ordinary session to prepare
proposals on the feasibility or otherwise of establishing a Union Government
for Africa. The Committee of Seven Heads of State finished their work and
submitted a report to the 7th Session of the Assembly held in Banjul in July
2006. The study concluded that the establishment of a union government was
feasible and made recommendations that it is put into operation by 2015. The
report referred to as the Banjul Report is entitled.
“A Union Government TOWARDS THE BUILDING OF A “UNITED STATES OF AFRICA.”
The report has been reviewed by governments. During the 8th ordinary session
of the Assembly of Heads of State held in Addis Ababa the Heads of State
agreed that the 9th Ordinary Session scheduled to be held Ghana should be
devoted exclusively to the Grand Debate regarding the founding of a Union
Government for Africa.
Prior to the debate some media houses have been giving the issue a one sided
coverage. Some even give the impression that the Agenda in Ghana is Qaddafi’
s agenda. This following is a verbatim quotation from one media report: “The
African Union Summit has opened in Accra, Ghana, focusing this year on the
idea of a Pan African government. Libya’s Colonel Muammar Qaddafi is
championing the idea, but correspondents say many African leaders do not support his
initiative.”
Such news items are being read verbatim by some state media establishments.
It is important to point out that the states that form the United States of
America did not wait until all of them were developed to be united. They did
not wait until all of them were equal in level of development to be united.
They did not wait until there was an end to civil war among themselves to
unite. They pursued unity as a means to promoting the pulling up of resources to
develop human and institutional capacities to address the problems of poverty
and political marginalization of smaller states. Africa must unite to put an
end to centuries of impoverishment, marginalization and domination.
Hence the task before all those who want the people of Africa to live in
liberty, dignity and prosperity is to take part in the grand debate to determine
whether it is feasible for Africa to unite now or not. If so, the obstacles
we have to overcome to realise our objectives must be identified and
addressed.
Foroyaa will open up the debate after the summit so that our readers will
also take part in this grand debate of the millennium. Africa needs a critical
mass. That is not achieved by simply dismissing issues by claiming that wars
or tyrants will not allow a noble idea to come to fruition as if it is the
colonialists who allowed Independence to be gained. As the old saying goes,
Necessity is the mother of invention. Necessity demands that we develop a New
Africa to survive and prosper.
In The Treason Trial
COURT REJECTS OMAR FAAL’S STATEMENT
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The Banjul High Court presided over by Justice Avril Anin Yeboah on Friday,
June 29, admitted parts of the statements made by Tamsir Jasseh and Demba
Dem, but rejected the statements of Omar Faal (Keita).
The accused persons and Alieu Jobe are charged with treason for their
alleged involvement in the March 2006 foiled coup d’etat.
The ruling followed a trial within a trial (voir dire) which was aimed at
testing the voluntariness of the statements obtained from Messrs. Jasseh, Faal
and Dem during the course of the investigation into the alleged attempt to
overthrow the government.
The court ruled that it has admitted Tamsir Jasseh’s statement, but rejected
page six of the same document.
It did admit the first and back pages of Demba Dem’s statement but rejected
the rest of the documents.
The court also rejected the whole statement of Omar Faal (Keita).
The court later admitted the video tape which was broadcast over GRTS
television following the foiled coup d’etat. This ruling on the video tape arose
after an objection to its tendering by one of the defence lawyers, Borry
Touray, who argued that it is confessional, but this was counter argued by the
prosecutor, Emmanuel Fagbenle.
Meanwhile, the trial resumes on Wednesday, July 4 at the High Court.
Tamsir Jasseh was former director general of Immigration and ex-deputy
inspector general of Police, Alieu Jobe is an ex-accountant general, Omar Faal
(Keita) is a marabout, while Demba Dem is an ex-parliamentarian for Niani
constituency.
INTERVIEW WITH HALIFA SALLAH
ON THE AU SUMMIT AND PRESIDENT JAMMEH’S ABSENCE
FOROYAA: The International media reports tend to give the impression that
the head of State of the Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Colonel
Muammar Qaddafi, is pioneering the founding of a United States of Africa while
many other heads of state are skeptical about the idea. Can you throw light on
what is happening in Ghana?
Halifa: The African Union has an assembly of heads of state which is the
policy making organ of the Union. Since the first session of the African Union,
the Heads of State have met eight times. The session in Ghana is the 9th
Summit. The Ordinary Sessions are being held in July and January of each year.
The grand debate regarding the creation of a Union Government and the United
States of Africa is not the brain child of any individual leader. It arose as
the collective decision of the Assembly of Heads of State.
Foroyaa: How did the agenda come about?
Halifa: The AU Assembly of Heads of State established a committee of seven
Heads of State and government in 2005 to formulate a proposal regarding the
establishment of a Union Government.
During the AU Summit in Banjul in July 2006, the report of the committee was
submitted for discussion under the caption “An African Union Government
Towards the United States of Africa.”
The committee of seven concluded that the establishment of a union
government is feasible and proposed the rudiments of the government that could be
founded by 2015. the heads of state reviewed the study. During the 8th Ordinary
Session of the assembly held in Addis Ababa in January 2007 the heads of state
agreed that the 9th Ordinary Summit in Ghana will be exclusively devoted on
the grand debate regarding the establishment of a union government. The
summit also recommended consultations to be initiated at the level of the
Pan-African Parliament and other institutions of the AU as well as civil society at
large before the summit. Colonel Qaddafi therefore is simply echoing what has
already been accepted as a subject of discussion by all African states.
Foroyaa: Is that why you were a member of a task force established by the
Bureau of Pan-African Parliament?
Halifa: Precisely so. We were given the study to review and give our own
input for debate by the Pan-African Parliament. The draft report of the task
force had since been debated by the Pan-African parliament on the 15th and 16th
of May 2007 at its 7th Session. The president of the parliament will give her
input at the AU Summit being held in Ghana.
Foroyaa: There is yet to be any official announcement of the president’s
departure for the summit. Will it not be strange if the president fails to
attend such a major debate?
Halifa: The 9th Summit of the AU will be remembered by students of history.
It is as important if not more important than the summit in 1963 which led to
the founding of the AU. The grand debate is premised on the study of the
Committee of Heads of State which is commonly referred to as the Banjul Study.
It will be strange if the Gambian Head of State is absent.
Foroyaa: There is also little mention of what is happening in Ghana by the
state media. In fact they are reporting views expressed that the Libyan leader
is pioneering the drive for a Union Government against the wishes of many
other Heads of State?
Halifa: Which head of state have they interviewed to draw such a conclusion?
The problem of the state media is not lack of reliable sources of
information. Its problem is intolerance of diversity of sources of information. I am
more than willing to clarify all issues regarding the grand debate.
Foroyaa: What suggestions have you given regarding the outcome of the grand
debate?
Halifa: This is elaborated in my treatise on the founding of a Federation of
African Republics which is being edited for publication. The following
recommendations are made for the grand debate.
The Establishment of a Federation of African States in Phases
Phase one
The summit should achieve the following task in Ghana in 2007
1. Adoption of the name, nature and form of the Union. I propose that Africa
continue what Lumumba and Nkrumah started by giving commitment to build a
federation of African states which could be given the distinct name The
Federation Of African Republics (FAR) to make it clear that Africa wishes to go
beyond the point reached by the European Union to build a Federation of African
States.
2..Adoption of a Solemn Declaration by all Heads of State to establish the
Federation
without hesitation or hindrance within a realistic time frame to be agreed
at the Accra
Summit.
3. Declaration of commitment by all states to ratify the protocol
establishing the African
Court of Justice so that it can be put in place in 2007.
4. The commissioning of an internal review exercise of mandates, functions
and structures by all the organs or institutions of the AU as well as the
elaboration of a strategic plan involving any upgrading in mandates, functions,
structures, material and human resources to evolve into an institution of the
federation. The Regional Economic Groupings should also be part of the review
exercise. All institutions should be required to submit their reports to The
AU Commission for presentation and discussion at the 2009 summit so that a
task force can be commissioned by the summit, comprising experts on all the
organs to draw up a realistic plan of action for forward movement towards the
building of the Federation of African Republics.
5. Adoption of a resolution to establish the Central Bureau for
Documentation and Statistics with immediate effect to serve as a depository of all the
instruments, relevant statistics, policies programmes and projects of the AU
and the respective States to facilitate continental planning and implementation
of the objectives of the Union
Phase two
I The 2009 Summit should be set aside to review the reports and
recommendations of the various institutions and Organs of the AU and adopt their short
term, medium term and long term proposals, including their requirements in
Human and Material resources. This should be followed by the establishment of a
Commission of Jurists to study all the recommendations and make proposals for
the amendment of the Constitutive Act and all relevant protocols to bring
them into conformity with the requirements of an evolving Federation of African
Republics. This should be followed by the consolidation of the three arms of
the state, that is, the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary and their
respective branches or sectors and their operationalisation
Phase Three
The 2010 Summit should be devoted to the adoption of a revised Constitutive
Act and supporting instruments which should have all the features of a
Republican Constitution to gradually move the Union towards a Federation. Election
of Pan African Parliamentarians should take place in 2010 on the basis of
Universal suffrage so that they will owe no allegiance to National Parliaments
and be fully devoted to the Legislative and other over sight functions of the
Union. The consolidation of the African Court of Justice should be
complimented with the establishment of the criminal jurisdiction of the African Court
on Human and Peoples Rights and the appointment of a Prosecutor General to
facilitate trials for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity under the
Union.
Phase four
I. The 2011 Summit should be devoted to the review of progress in
institution building and performance as well as the assessment of human and material
resource needed to achieve set targets
2. This Summit should give mandate to the Commission of Jurists to engage in
consultation on a continental basis to help prepare a draft Constitution for
the Federation of African Republics for adoption on the 50 anniversary of
the founding of the OAU at its head quarters in Addis Ababa in 2013.
3.The Summit should further establish a Commission of experts on Economic
,Social, Political and cultural matters to prepare a Comprehensive African
Economic Recovery and Development Programme for the Federation of African States
to be reviewed and adopted on the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the OAU
in 1963
Phase five
I. The 2012 summit should be devoted to a review of progress made in the
preparation of a draft Constitution and the Report on the Comprehensive African
Economic Recovery and Development Programme for the Federation of African
Republics. The Pan African Parliament in collaboration with ECOSOC should
involve the Regional Economic groupings and their Parliamentary Fora as well as the
National Parliaments, Civil Society and the people at large groupings in a
continent-wide debate regarding the content of the draft Constitution and The
Comprehensive African Economic Recovery and Development Programmes for the
Continent.
2 The Session should also be devoted to a Review of the progress made by all
institutions of the AU in fulfilling their respective mandates and the
harmonisation of their activities to further the objectives of the Union.
Phase six
2013 will mark the Anniversary of the founding of the OAU. This Summit
should be held in Addis Ababa and should be marked by the adoption of a Federal
Constitution and the African Economic Recovery and Development programme for
the Continent. This should mark the beginning of the founding of the Federation
of African Republics.
Phase Seven
2014 should be a year of sensitisation. The Pan African Parliament and
ECOSOC should be provided with enough material and human resources to sensitise
the African peoples on the provisions of the draft Constitution and the content
of the proposed Comprehensive African Economic Recovery and Development
Programme. The sensitisation should culminate in the holding of an All African
Peoples Conference comprising representatives of women, youth, human rights
bodies, trade unions, media, disabled, political parties and other stake holders
on the continent in preparation for a simultaneous referendum in all African
States to approve or reject the Constitution of the Federation of African
Republics.
The 2014 summit should focus on the reports of the civil society bodies and
a declaration should follow adopting a day to hold the referendum in 2015 to
decide the fate of the draft Constitution
Finally
Once the referendum leads to the approval of the Constitution, the 2015
Summit should proceed to establish a task force to prepare an implementation
programme for the operation of the federation for approval by the 2016 Summit.
The process of establishing the structures of a Federation of African Republics
should take place according to the agreed plan.
40 ASPIRANT MIGRANTS ARRESTED
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Almost forty (40) would be migrants, most of them Gambians, were rounded up
by the police and subsequently arrested at ‘Wharfi Njago’ in Banjul. They
were detained at the Police Headquarters.
According to our sources, the youths who attempted to sail to Spain through
the Canary Islands, were interrupted when the police received a tip off about
their motives. Sources added that the aspirant migrants include Gambians and
non Gambians from different parts of the country.
However, the police Spokesperson, Inspector Sulayman Secka, confirmed the
arrest and detention of the would be migrants. He told Foroyaa that most of
them were granted police bail but that some are still being detained due to
their failure to meet the bail condition; that all of them will be released when
they fulfill the bail requirements. PRO Secka added that he did not know
whether they were charged or will be charged, and whether they will be taken
before a court of law. He finally said, “the journey is risky. I think youths
should desist from attempting to take such a dangerous journey to travel to
Europe.”
On Friday this reporter found out that a good number of them had been
released on bail but did not know the bail conditions.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
1981 POLITICAL CRISIS STILL CLAIMING CENTER STAGE
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been focusing generally on politics and Gambian politics, in
particular, in this column. We have seen it as very useful to analyse the history of
politics from the pre-colonial to the post-independence era. It is our
conviction that young people will learn lessons from these experiences which can
help them to avoid the mistakes of the past.
In the last issue, we have been reporting and analysing the issues that
arose in the early part of 1983. We stopped at where we said that many had
questioned why the president would not, himself, simply volunteer for the
Commission of Assets to enquire about his assets. We will continue from there.
While the Government of The Gambia struggled to make the Senegambia
confederation and its security to take the center stage, the ordinary people were
more concerned with how to survive under a prevailing precarious economic
situation.
Two developments occurred on the 25th October 1983 and which did not augur
well for the country’s economy. The taxi drivers went on a strike in the city
of Banjul on this particular day. Rice shortage was also reported on the same
day. This development resulted to panic buying wherever basic commodities
were discovered.
The taxi drivers complained that the fare of 30 bututs for runs in Banjul
was too small and argued that the high price of fuel and the bad state of the
roads in Banjul and the Kombos, all went against their favour. The interesting
thing was that the drivers went ahead with the strike without the knowledge
and participation of their union, the Motor Drivers and Allied Workers Union,
which normally should have led the strike.
Mr. Daddy Sowe, the union leader, met the drivers at the Brikama car park in
Banjul and urged them to resume work, but it was reported that his request
was flatly and unanimously rejected. The drivers maintained that the 40 bututs
increment that was suggested by Daddy Sowe was too small. They vowed to
continue with the strike if their demand of 50 bututs increment was not met. They
told the press that they were afflicted with low fares, low wages, bad road
conditions and police harassment. The strike went on for two days before it
was called off.
As for rice and cooking oil, the Government or the importing authorities
refused to acknowledge shortage. As the Senegambian Sun described it, “It
appeared that each time there is a shortage of rice and other essential
commodities, there was a boat to blame. This time it was the ‘MV Mayfair’, an ocean
going cargoe vessel. The GPMB which was then the sole authority responsible for
the importation of rice, indicated that the ship made a breach of contract;
that it was supposed to bring 6,500 tonnes of rice from Burma and would
arrive not later than 25th October 1983, but that the ship was nowhere in sight.
As if this was not enough, an acute shortage of fuel was also reported by
about the 11th of December 1983, resulting to serious shortage of transports.”
“BALAMBA” UPHELD
By Monday 3rd October 1983, Gambians were told that their government had
objected to the continued showing of a film on the Gambia by a Swedish film
maker, one Lars Westman. Many people were not even aware of such a film, but the
government’s demand for it to be banned made many to desire to see it.
According to reports, the Council of the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation
upheld the Gambia government’s request regarding the film entitled “Balamba”,
meaning resistance in Mandinka, because ‘it gives an “unfavourable” picture
of The Gambia both before and after the July 30 1981 rebellion’, as argued
by the Gambian authorities. The Council’s verdict, however, found the film
partial and not in accordance with the rules which regulate broadcasting in
Sweden. The film was said to be characterized by far-reaching criticisms against
the Government of The Gambia.
The most perplexing development to many Gambians was the circulation of
rumours of the continuous arrests of some personnel in the police force and other
prominent Gambians. Claims were made that some of Kukoi Samba Sanyang’s
colleagues who fled with him, from Guinea Bissau to Cuba, had decided to come
back and were helping the authorities. The press became excited when President
Jawara invited the media fraternity to a press conference scheduled from
Monday 30th October 1983. This was later postponed and rescheduled for Monday 31st
October 1983. The arrest of Sam Sarr, a graduate teacher at the Gambia High
School and Halifa Sallah of the Social Welfare department who was also the
presenter of the famous social education ‘Magi Elek’ Programme on Radio
Gambia, was top on the agenda.
As the Senegambia Sun puts it, the press expected a bombshell. According to
the Sun the press conference had no theme and revealed no bombshells. The
Journalists, however, took the opportunity to seek clarification regarding the
arrest of four Gambians and the return to this country of three men accused of
collaborating with Kukoi Samba Sanyang. President Jawara’s exact words are
as follows: “Halifa Sallah and others have been detained for questioning and I
think it is in connection with the events of 30 July 1981”. The president
could not reveal any information as to whether the police questioning had
revealed anything of substance. On Kukoi’s colleagues, the President was equally
brief. His very words were “I know that three of Kukoi Samba Sanyang’s
colleagues who went from Guinea Bissau to Cuba with him, infact, at one stage
became so disillusioned about the so called revolution and all it stands for that
they resigned from his party, deserted him and at the moment are assisting
The Gambian authorities with our continuing efforts to get to the root cause of
the 1981 coup.”
Nothing was heard again of Halifa Sallah and Sam Sarr, the latter whose home
was searched and his wife with a month old baby were arrested together with
three other colleagues, namely Adama Bah, Personnel Manager at the Bungalow
Beach Hotel (BB), Modou Gaye, a school master and Pa Louis Sambou a school
teacher. Sam Sarr’s wife, Mrs. Amie Sillah was the then Senior Health Inspector
in charge of the Kanifing municipality. Halifa Sallah was a Social Welfare
Officer responsible for Research and Training, and a visiting lecturer at the
School of Public Health and Nursing.
All the documents in the possession of the detainees were seized and
subjected to five months review by the operatives of the Special Branch Unit of the
Gambia Police. The case was claimed by some of them to be the most hectic
exercise they have ever been engaged in. For five months the state gave no
further explanation as to whether they had got to the root cause of the July 1981
coup d’etat. After six months of detention at the maximum security wing of
Mile Two Prison without charge, Halifa Sallah, Sam Sarr, Amie Sillah, Pa Louis
Sambou, Adama Bah and Modou Gaye were rushed to court and charged for
operating an unlawful society. To the surprise of many, the charge had no link with
the July 30th 1981 coup d’etat. Infact, before the case even started for
hearing, the state filed a Nolle prosequi motion to discharge the accused persons
and release them. It was never explained in a press conference whether the
society was unlawful or an underground party waiting to emerge.
The arrest and release of Halifa Sallah and Co. marked the beginning of a
new political force in the country which we will look at later, in greater
detail.
Sir Dawda did not give the names of those three people who arrived from
Cuba. The period also witnessed the arrest and detention of 6 officers.
These include Chief Inspector Shylon, Inspector Juwara, Sergeant Lang
Kinteh, Sergeant Mam Malick Sowe, Corporal Waagaan Faye, Corporal Jamanti and a
civilian, a Mr. Sosseh Kolley, formerly of Education Department, who were
arrested without any official explanation. However, the Senegambian Sun observed
that many saw it as what the president described in his press conference as,
their (Government’s) ‘continuing effort to get to the root cause of the 1981
coup’. It did not stop there. Furthermore, the forceful retirement of two very
senior officers, Commander I.J.K. Tambajang, who was Director of Immigration
at the time and F.R.I. Jammeh, commander of the Pioneer Unit, based in
Farafenni, on 14 November 1983 also followed. The third senior officer to retire
did so on Tuesday 15 November 1983, and it was Inspector Yigo Trawalley. No
official reasons were given for these retirements. The forced retirement of
I.J.K. Tambajang, particularly, surprised many observers because of the believe
that both he and former IGP, A.S. Mboob, had played a crucial role in
defending the city of Banjul, especially, at the peak of the 31 July events.
No court cases emanated from the alleged confession of the Cuban returnees.
The matter was just swept under the carpet after some months.
See next publication, in this Focus column, as we advance into the
happenings of the mid 1980s.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION BANTABA
DR ALIEU GAYE
PRESIDENT GAMBIA DIABETES ASSOCIATION
By Yaya Bajo
In this edition of Health and Nutrition Bantaba, we approached Dr. Alieu
Gaye, President Gambia Diabetes Association at his Number 34 Hagan Street Clinic
where he highlighted various topical issues on diabetes and the Association.
Read on to find out what Dr. Gaye has said in the interview.
HNB: What is diabetes?
Dr. Gaye: Diabetes is a condition where there is excess sugar in the blood
because of failure of the body does not produce sufficient quantities of
insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly.
HNB: Does diabetes come in different forms in order words what are the
different types of diabetes?
Dr. Gaye: There are two types, type one (1) and type two (2). Type 1,
happens usually in young people in their teens or younger. It occurs because bodies
produces antibodies of these individuals produce antibodies which destroy
the pancreas. Insulin is required to sustain their lives. Type 2, tends to
happen after the age of 40 and it tends to run in families (hereditary) and there
are risk factors that give you diabetes. These are non-modifiable risk
factors which include age and ethnicity and race and modifiable risk factors which
include obesity, lack of physical activities, excess alcohol consumption,
poor diet especially fatty-diet, urbanisation and urban life styles.
HNB: Which one is more common?
Dr. Gaye: Type 2 diabetes is the most common type in the world and 90% of
diabetes cases in The Gambia is type 2. World Wide as at 2006, 246 million
people were affected with diabetes and by 2025 it is expected to reach 380
million people and most of this increase will be in developing countries.
HND: What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
Dr Gaye: You should suspect you have diabetes when you start drinking a lot
of water, eating a lot of food, passing a lot of urine and loosing weight.
HNB: Is diabetes treatable like other medical conditions?
Dr. Gaye: In the management and control of diabetes, we put a lot of
emphasis on diet control, exercise for at least 30 minutes as WHO recommendation and
medication.
HNB: The Gambia Diabetes Association has been in existence for sometime, can
you dilate on it?
Dr. Gaye: The Gambia Diabetes Association was formed in 1991 and we have our
executive board and General Assembly which meets annually. The main trust of
the association is to increase awareness among the people affected with the
disease. The awareness has been created; a lot of patients have been empowered
through the education programmes. We now have a twinning programme with the
Revtilingen Diabetes Association in Germany and they provide us with insulin
test strips, and machines. We also celebrated 14 November each year as World
Diabetes Day. The membership is open to all and the rate was revised from
D5.00 to D25.00 annually.
HNB: What is the trend of diabetes cases in The Gambia, is it increasing or
decreasing?
Dr. Gaye: Diabetes is increasing in The Gambia because in 1991 the
prevalence was estimated to be 4%, but in 1996 a study was done and it was found to be
8.9% in Greater Banjul Area and 1.2% in the rural areas.
HNB: What could this sharp increase in diabetes cases in The Gambia be
attributed to?
Dr. Gaye: The cause of the increase of diabetes cases could be attributed to
sedentary life styles, excessive fat consumption and improved life
expectancy.
HNB: What can be done to address the problem?
Dr. Gaye: One has to eat sensibly and avoid too much of sugary and oily
foods. We put a lot of emphasis on vegetables and balance diet.
HNB: What would you like to say on a final note?
Dr. Gaye: There is extensive research going on, a lot of new therapies are
coming out and we hope one day there would be a cure.
HNB: Thank you for sparing your time to share your knowledge with our
readers.
Dr. Gaye: It is a pleasure.
CHOLERA PREVENTION CARE
By Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
In this edition of Health and Nutrition Bantaba we are bringing you another
Health issue which is cholera. It has been in our sub-region for some time
now, and some of these countries affected are our neighbours.
Health personnel are concerned with the prevention method against cholera.
Read on to find out what the Manager, Health Communication Unit, Mr. Amadou
Sowe, has to say about cholera.
HNB: Mr. Sowe welcome to this edition of Foroyaa Health and Nutrition
Bantaba. Can you tell our readers what cholera is all about?
Mr. Sowe: Cholera is a serious diarrhoeal disease caused by a tiny germ. The
germ is found in human faeces (stool) and is so small that we cannot see it
with our naked eye. The stool that the patient passes smells very badly and
looks like rice water.
HNB: How long does it take one to detect or fall sick when the cholera germ
enters your body?
Mr. Sowe: The cholera germ can quickly make you sick once it enters your
body. It takes from a few hours to five days, but usually 2-3 days for one to
fall sick.
HNB: How does one get infected?
Mr. Sowe: One can be infected with the cholera germ by drinking water
contaminated with human faeces; eating contaminated food; eating contaminated sea
foods (e.g shellfish), eating contaminated fruits or raw vegetables.
HNB: How does one diagnose cholera?
Mr. Sowe: One can detect a cholera patient by these signs/ways. The person
has sudden diarrhoea with two or more watery stools per day; passes offensive
watery rice like stools; looses lots of body fluids and becomes weak with
sunken eyes and dry lips, may have fever, may be vomiting continuously and
become restless.
HNB: How can one care for a friend or relative who is a cholera patient?
Mr. Sowe: Rush the patient to the nearest health facility. Remember that
cholera is fatal. Take the patient to the nearest health facility immediately.;
Prepare and give the sugar salt solution (SSS) or Oral Rehydration Solution
(ORS) to the patient along the way to the health facility to replace lost body
fluids. Keep away other members of the family and visitors from the patient
to prevent the spread of the disease; wash your hands with soap and water
after touching the patient or things used by the patient; use gloves when
disposing stools or vomit of the patient. If you do not have gloves, use nylon bags
tied around your hands before you handle stools and contaminated linen of
the patient; clean room with Omo, bleach, etc remember to take any other family
member who has a sudden onset of diarrhoea to the nearest health facility,
give as much fluid as possible to the patient to take. You can give any of the
following: clean and safe drinking water; rice water; prepare and give sugar
salt solution or ORS; juice and coconut water.
You can also give other foods like: cereal based paps; carrot soup; marshed
potatoes. Remember to gradually increase solid foods during the recovery
phase of the illness. Let the patient eat food that is properly cooked, not too
hot or too cold and has no pepper.
HNB: How do we prevent cholera?
Mr. Sowe: Drink only water from a safe source or water that has been treated
(boiled or chlorinated or treated with bleach); cook food properly and eat
while it is hot; re-heat left over food thoroughly before eating; avoid
uncooked food unless it can be peeled or shelled; wash hands with soap and water
after any contact with human faeces and before preparing or eating food; wash
your hands with soap and water before eating and before feeding a child; wash
your hands with soap and water before preparing or serving food; wash your
hands with soap and water after cleaning the child who has passed stools;
safely dispose of human faeces in toilets; keep your homes and environment clean
at all times so that there will be no flies, cockroaches, other insects and
rats; keep cooked foods covered at all times and wash all vegetables and fruits
thoroughly before eating.
HNB: Did you receive any case this year?
Mr. Sowe: As at now no case of cholera has been reported or discovered.
HNB: How did your Department feel when you heard about an outbreak of
cholera in the neighbouring countries, especially at the time of the Magal/Gamoo
(religious occasion)?
Mr. Sowe: At first we were worried but now we are at peace because we did
all the ground preparation at all the health facilities to make sure that if a
case is detected, it could be put under control. Also we took some samples
from people who attended the occasions in the sub region or our close
neighbours, Senegal, but no one is found to be having the disease.
HNB: It has been rumoured that some people have cholera, that’s why the
Health Department was quick to make the announcement about the cholera.
Mr. Sowe: No, that information is unfounded. There is no outbreak or case;
there is no clinical or surveillance prove that there is cholera. You know
there are people who are healthy carriers who don’t fall sick but they can
transmit it through coughing, etc.
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